--- description: Our Washington, DC lawyers have over 90 years of experience and can help you collect compensation for your truck maintenance lawsuit. Call today! title: Truck Maintenance Errors | Accidents Caused By Truck Maintenance Error --- Truck Maintenance Errors | Accidents Caused By Truck Maintenance Error # Truck Maintenance Last Updated: September 5, 2024 Reading Time: 2 minutes Trusted Content ### Legally Reviewed by Allan Siegel Updated 2 years ago [Home](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/) » [Washington DC Truck Accident Lawyer](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/truck-accidents/) » [Common Causes Of Truck Accidents](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/truck-accidents/trucking-accident-causes/) » Truck Maintenance What's On This Page ## [Case Results](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/case-results/) $3 Million Truck Crash $1.8 Million Truck Crash $1.4 Million Truck Crash $1.25 Million Truck Crash $900,000 Truck Crash $750,000 Truck Crash ## [View All Practice Areas](https://chaikinandsherman.com/practice-areas/) ## [Testimonials](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/blog/testimonials-hub/) I would never worry again if they are on the case. 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"*" indicates required fields Name* First Last Name* Last Email** Phone*Are you a new client?*Are you a new client? *Yes, I'm a potential new client.No, I'm a current existing client.I'm neitherCase TypeCase TypeMotor Vehicle AccidentSlip & FallAssaultMedical MalpracticeAbuseWork InjuryOtherWere You at Fault?Were You At Fault?NoYesUnknownWhere Did The Incident Occur?Where Did The Incident Occur?Washington, D.C.VirginiaMarylandOtherDid The Accident Occur In the Last Two Years?Did The Accident Occur In the Last Two Years?YesNoShare Brief Description of the Incident* Video Transcript Ira Sherman: The operator of a tractor trailer has a special responsibility because that, as a weapon, is way more powerful than an automobile could be if it struck you in the rear or anywhere. It is a comparison between a bullet of an automobile and a bomb of a tractor trailer. Allan Siegel: There’s a lot more involved in a truck crash case than there is in a car crash case. And not every law firm knows and understands trucking cases. There are federal rules and federal regulations that govern the trucking industry that they must follow, and a lawyer who’s handling those types of cases needs to know all of those laws, needs to know hours of service, needs to know how they’re supposed to keep their logs. I am on the executive board of the AAJ Trucking Litigation Group. I will eventually be the chair of that group. I’ve worked with that group and been on the board for many years and have been working and have a deep understanding of trucking cases. Joseph Cammarata: If it’s a heavy use vehicle, dump truck, a garbage truck, U-Haul, tractor trailer, 18 wheeler, those are trucks. So we’re not just talking about 18 wheelers. Those big rigs that you see on the road. Stephen Ollar: It’s not always just the truck that’s at fault. Maybe the truck trucking company itself was negligent in not providing enough supervision for the truck driver. So there’s a lot that goes into it, and it’s something that we pride ourselves in.   # Maintenance Issues & Truck Accidents ## Washington, DC Truck Accident Attorneys Trucking companies are responsible for maintaining their trucks and for keeping unsafe trucks off the road. Inspection responsibilities are shared by the trucking company and the driver. When a faulty vehicle is the cause of a trucking accident, it can be very difficult to track down who is to blame for the improper maintenance. An experienced trucking accident attorney knows which records to obtain and how to evaluate those records to determine who was responsible for the faulty condition of the truck. If you have been injured in a [truck accident](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/truck-accidents/), contact our team today for a [free consultation](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/contact-us/). ### Truck Driver Responsibility Truck drivers are required to inspect the truck at the beginning and end of each work day. They must also review the post-trip inspection report made by the last driver of the truck. If that report included repairs needed, they must obtain certification from the trucking company that the repairs were actually made, before signing off on the report. **Driver inspections must include**: - Service brakes including trailer brake connections - Parking brake - Steering mechanism - Lighting devices and reflectors - Tires - Horn - Windshield wipers - Rear vision mirrors - Coupling devices - Wheels and rims - Emergency equipment Truck drivers have a duty to report any needed repairs to the trucking company immediately. ## Trucking Company Responsibility Trucking companies cannot require or allow drivers to operate a truck that is in need of repair. They must keep detailed maintenance records documenting work done, parts purchased, and repair requests made by drivers. In addition to the driver inspections, trucking companies are required to have their trucks inspected annually, by a qualified inspector. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) agents may board and inspect trucks. If an FMCSA agent deems a truck to be unsafe due to poor maintenance or [improper loading](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/truck-accidents/trucking-accident-causes/improperly-loaded-cargo/), the truck can be declared “out of service.” The trucking company cannot require or allow anyone to operate a truck that is out of service until all of the required repairs have been completed. Trucking companies also have specific maintenance duties such as ensuring that all trucks are properly lubricated and free of oil and grease leaks. ## Determining Responsibility Ultimately, trucking companies are responsible for the condition of their trucks, and in most accidents caused by poor maintenance, the trucking company is partially or completely at fault. However, drivers play a very serious role in truck maintenance. They are often the first to know when something is amiss and they are responsible for daily inspections. If a driver fails to conduct a thorough inspection or fails to notify the company, in writing, of a needed repair, he or she may be held responsible if the defect causes an accident. **If you or a loved one has been injured in a trucking accident, please [contact](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/contact-us/) to one of the skilled truck accident attorneys at Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. before you settle with an insurance company. With a Washington, DC personal injury attorney from our firm on your side, you can have peace of mind knowing that a highly skilled legal representative is working for you.** ## Get free advice about the compensation you deserve. At Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C., our car accident attorneys fight tirelessly to secure the compensation you deserve, handling every aspect of your case to protect your rights. Trust us to stand by you and advocate aggressively on your behalf. Speak to a Specialist ## Visit Us in Person 1232 17th St NW Washington, DC 20036 The truck accident lawyers at Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. represent injured motorists across the Washington, D.C. metro area, including [Northern Virginia truck accident cases](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/truck-accidents/northern-virginia-truck-accident-lawyers/) ([Arlington](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/truck-accidents/arlington-va/), [Alexandria](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/truck-accidents/alexandria/), and [Fairfax County trucking claims](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/truck-accidents/fairfax/)), and Maryland ([Rockville](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/truck-accidents/rockville/), [Montgomery County truck collisions](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/truck-accidents/montgomery-county/), [Silver Spring](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/truck-accidents/silver-spring/), [Hyattsville](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/truck-accidents/hyattsville/), and [Waldorf](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/truck-accidents/waldorf/)). ## Top 10 Mistakes Made After an Accident Review these common auto accident mistakes to protect your rights. READ OUR E-BOOK ### Meet Our Team Learn More About Us Ira Sherman Partner Licensed in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and New York With over four decades of courtroom experience, **Ira Sherman** is a powerhouse trial lawyer who has won justice for countless victims of serious injury, discrimination, and medical malpractice. Known for his relentless advocacy, compassion, and proven results, he’s the attorney clients trust when everything is on the line. Ira Sherman's Bio Joseph Cammarata Partner Licensed in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia A dual board-certified civil trial attorney, **Joseph Cammarata** is nationally recognized for his fierce advocacy, landmark legal victories, and relentless pursuit of justice for victims of serious injury, wrongful death, sexual assault, and civil rights violations. With wins against powerful opponents—including a historic U.S. Supreme Court case securing equal access to justice—he’s the attorney clients trust when they need skill, strength, and results that matter. Joe Cammarata's Bio Allan M. Siegel​ Partner Licensed in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia **Allan M. Siegel** is a board-certified trial attorney and partner at Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C., known for securing justice in serious personal injury, brain injury, and wrongful death cases. Recognized as one of Washington’s *Top 100 Super Lawyers®* and a *Best Lawyer®* in America, he combines strategic precision, courtroom skill, and relentless advocacy to win full and fair compensation for his clients. Allan Siegel's Bio Stephen Ollar Partner Licensed in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia **Stephen Ollar** is an award-winning trial attorney and U.S. Army veteran dedicated to holding negligent individuals and corporations accountable. Recognized as a *Super Lawyers Rising Star* from 2020–2025, he’s known for his tenacity, precision, and unwavering pursuit of justice in personal injury, auto accident, and medical malpractice cases. Stephen Ollar's Bio ### Related Articles Read More Blog Articles Dangers of Self-Driving Delivery Trucks Why Are Accidents Involving Amazon Delivery Vehicles Increasing? 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