When a serious truck accident happens, the immediate assumption is often that the driver is at fault, but not every crash is caused by driver error. Many devastating collisions are linked to defective truck parts, manufacturing flaws, or poor maintenance practices that make large commercial vehicles unsafe to operate.
Manufacturer liability in truck accidents involves holding manufacturers, maintenance providers, or trucking companies accountable when faulty design, defective components, or negligent upkeep contribute to a crash. For victims in Northwest Indiana, understanding how these cases work can make a significant difference when pursuing fair compensation for injuries and losses.
At Schafer and Schafer LLP, we help truck accident victims uncover the true cause of their crashes and hold all responsible parties accountable. From the truck manufacturer to companies like Amazon, UPS, or FedEx that may have failed to maintain their delivery fleets properly. No matter who was at fault, you deserve to know the truth and receive the compensation you need to heal.
What Is Manufacturer Liability in Truck Accidents?
Manufacturer liability refers to the legal responsibility that truck or parts manufacturers may bear when a defect in the vehicle’s design, construction, or components causes an accident. This type of claim typically falls under product liability law, which holds companies accountable for producing and selling unsafe products.
Truck manufacturers are required to ensure that every vehicle and component they sell meets strict safety standards. When these standards are not met, and someone is hurt as a result, the manufacturer may be held legally liable for the injuries and damages that follow.
How Truck Defects Lead to Accidents
A defect in a commercial truck can lead to serious consequences on the road. Even a minor mechanical failure can turn catastrophic when an 80,000-pound vehicle is involved. Common examples include:
- Brake failure leading to loss of control
- Tire blowouts causing rollovers or lane departures
- Steering malfunctions that prevent proper navigation
- Transmission or engine failures resulting in sudden stops
- Faulty coupling systems that cause trailers to detach
When one of these issues causes an accident, investigators must determine whether the problem stemmed from poor maintenance or an inherent defect in the design or manufacture of the truck or its parts. In many cases, every insurance company involved will try and argue it wasn’t their clients fault for the accident.
Commonly Defective Truck Components
Truck defect cases can involve almost any component of the vehicle, but certain parts are more commonly found to be faulty, including:
- Brakes and brake lines
- Tires and wheels
- Fuel systems
- Electrical systems
- Steering assemblies
- Coupling devices and hitches
- Suspension systems
Even a small defect in any of these parts can create a dangerous situation, especially when combined with the high speeds and long hours typical in the trucking industry.
When Poor Maintenance Becomes a Legal Issue
While manufacturing defects are often traced back to the companies that built or designed the truck, poor maintenance is another major cause of accidents. Liability often falls on the trucking company or maintenance provider for failure to maintain their property.
Maintenance Negligence vs. Manufacturing Defects
It’s important to distinguish between a defect that existed when the truck left the factory and one that arose later due to neglect. A manufacturing defect is the responsibility of the company that produced the part. A maintenance defect, however, results when a part becomes dangerous because it wasn’t properly inspected, repaired, or replaced.
For example, a brake failure might occur because the brake system was defective when manufactured, or because the trucking company failed to replace worn brake pads. In some cases, both issues may contribute to the same crash, creating shared liability between the manufacturer and the company responsible for maintenance.
How Trucking Companies and Maintenance Providers Share Fault
Trucking companies are required by federal and state regulations to perform regular inspections and maintenance on their vehicles. When they cut corners, often to save time or money, they put drivers and the public at risk.
In accidents involving delivery fleets such as Amazon trucks, UPS vehicles, or FedEx delivery trucks, maintenance records often reveal issues like skipped inspections, use of substandard replacement parts, or overworked mechanics. These factors can make the company, or its contracted maintenance provider, liable for an accident alongside or instead of the manufacturer.
Determining Who Is Liable After a Truck Accident
Determining fault in a truck accident involving possible defects or maintenance failures can be complex. Multiple parties may share liability, including:
- The manufacturer of the truck or its components
- The company responsible for assembling or modifying the vehicle
- The trucking company or fleet operator
- The maintenance or repair contractor
- The driver or logistics provider overseeing the vehicle’s operation
Establishing liability requires detailed investigation, often with the help of mechanical engineers, accident reconstruction experts, and maintenance specialists.
A skilled truck accident attorney will gather evidence such as service records, recall notices, and inspection logs to pinpoint where negligence occurred.
Legal Options for Victims of Defective or Poorly Maintained Trucks
Victims of truck accidents caused by manufacturing defects or poor maintenance may have several legal avenues to pursue compensation.
Filing a Personal Injury Claim for a Defective Truck
If you were injured in an accident caused by a defective truck or component, you may be able to file a personal injury claim against the manufacturer, the trucking company, or both. This type of claim seeks to recover damages such as:
- Medical expenses for emergency care, surgeries, and rehabilitation
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Property damage
- Long-term care needs or disability-related costs
If a fatality occurred, surviving family members may also be eligible to file a wrongful death claim. Your attorney will be able to tell you about all of your available options and work with you to create a well informed legal plan of action.
How a Truck Accident Lawyer Can Help
An experienced truck accident attorney plays a vital role in uncovering whether a vehicle defect or maintenance issue caused or contributed to your accident. At Schafer and Schafer LLP, our team:
- Investigates the cause of the crash through expert analysis
- Reviews manufacturing and maintenance records
- Identifies all liable parties, including manufacturers and corporate fleet owners
- Negotiates with insurers and corporate defense teams
- Builds a case designed to maximize compensation for your injuries and losses
Because these cases often involve large companies and complex evidence, having legal representation early on can make the difference between a denied claim and a fair recovery.
Compensation Available to Victims
The compensation you may recover depends on the nature of the defect, the severity of your injuries, and the level of negligence involved. In addition to medical bills and lost wages, courts may also award punitive damages in cases where manufacturers or companies knowingly ignored safety risks or failed to issue recalls for known defects.
Your attorney will be able to estimate the amount of compensation you may be able to receive, but there is no guarantee.
Preventing Future Accidents Through Accountability
Every lawsuit involving a defective or poorly maintained truck serves a larger purpose: holding companies accountable and making the roads safer for everyone.
Why Holding Manufacturers Accountable Matters
When manufacturers are forced to take responsibility for dangerous products, it pressures the entire industry to prioritize safety over profit. It can also lead to recalls, better oversight, and design changes that prevent similar accidents in the future. Unfortunately, some of our society's best improvements upon safety and protocol have come after accidents relating to the subsequent policy, so it is up to those injured and their attorneys to take a decisive action after an accident not only to the benefit of the claim but to the industry as a whole.
How Regular Maintenance Protects Drivers and the Public
Trucking companies and delivery fleets must also take maintenance seriously. Regular inspections, prompt repairs, and adherence to safety standards are not just legal requirements. They are essential to protecting both drivers and other motorists.
Neglecting maintenance on large commercial trucks creates risks that extend far beyond the company’s employees. A single failure on the road can lead to multi-vehicle pileups, life-altering injuries, and devastating fatalities.
Contact Schafer and Schafer LLP for Help with a Truck Accident Case
If you or a loved one has been injured in a crash involving a defective truck or poor maintenance practices, you deserve to know your rights and explore every available legal option. The attorneys at Schafer and Schafer LLP have extensive experience representing victims of trucking accidents, including cases involving delivery trucks and commercial fleet vehicles.
We will thoroughly investigate your case, determine whether a manufacturer, maintenance provider, or trucking company is at fault, and fight to secure the compensation you deserve.
Contact us today at (219) 947-1911 to schedule a free consultation with one of our experienced truck accident liability attorneys.
