The Hidden Dangers of Neglected Truck Maintenance on Texas Highways
When trucking companies cut corners on maintenance, everyone on the road pays the price. Defective brakes, worn tires, and faulty steering systems make 18-wheelers some of the most dangerous vehicles on Texas highways. At Ried Pecina Trial Lawyers, we fight to hold negligent trucking companies accountable when poor maintenance causes devastating truck accidents in San Antonio and across South Texas. Call (210) 893-0000 today for a free case review.
The Dangers of Poor 18-Wheeler Maintenance
Every year, thousands of drivers across Texas share the road with massive 18-wheelers. While these commercial trucks play an essential role in transporting goods, poor maintenance often turns them into deadly hazards. A national trucking safety study uncovered alarming statistics that highlight just how dangerous defective equipment can be:
- Over 75% of trucks involved in serious accidents had defective parts.
- More than half of those trucks had faulty brakes, one of the most critical systems for preventing catastrophic crashes.
- One in four big rigs had steering defects, making them extremely difficult to control in traffic or emergency situations.
- Tire blowouts and failures—especially on the front wheels—caused devastating collisions and often led to rollovers or multi-vehicle pileups.
The study also revealed that when highway patrol officers flagged trucks for brake violations, those vehicles became nearly twice as likely to be involved in a crash. That means trucking companies and drivers who ignore basic brake maintenance put every motorist at risk.
Poor truck maintenance is not just a mechanical issue—it is a public safety crisis. On busy highways like I-10, I-35, and Loop 410 in San Antonio, an 18-wheeler with bad brakes or bald tires can cause chain-reaction collisions, rollovers, or deadly jackknife accidents within seconds.
These findings make it clear: Texas needs stricter enforcement, stronger inspections, and harsher penalties for companies that allow unsafe 18-wheelers on the road. Until then, families will continue to suffer from preventable tragedies caused by negligent truck maintenance.
Who Is Responsible for Unsafe 18-Wheelers?
Under Texas law, trucking companies must inspect, maintain, and repair their commercial vehicles to ensure they remain safe for public roads. When they fail to do so, they endanger every driver and passenger in San Antonio and across South Texas. Sadly, many trucking companies cut corners on safety to protect profits.
Common Maintenance Failures That Cause San Antonio Truck Accidents
Negligent trucking companies often gamble with lives by allowing 18-wheelers to operate with:
- Faulty or ignored brake system defects
- Bald, underinflated, or mismatched tires that increase the risk of blowouts and rollovers
- Missed or falsified safety inspections designed to cover up mechanical issues
- Delayed or skipped repairs to save money at the expense of safety
Each of these failures creates a ticking time bomb on busy Texas highways like I-10, I-35, and U.S. 281. A single mechanical defect can cause a fully loaded tractor-trailer to lose control, jackknife, or plow into smaller vehicles, leading to catastrophic injuries or wrongful death.
Holding Negligent Trucking Companies Accountable
When a trucking company puts unsafe trucks on the road, they must face accountability. After a crash, victims and their families deserve justice, not excuses. At Ried Pecina Trial Lawyers, our San Antonio truck accident attorneys know how to:
- Investigate maintenance and inspection records
- Identify patterns of neglect and cost-cutting by the motor carrier
- Work with mechanical experts to prove equipment failure caused the accident
- Hold trucking companies and insurers financially responsible for the harm they caused
Our mission is simple: to protect Texas families and make sure negligent trucking companies never escape responsibility for putting profit over safety.
Why Early Investigation Matters After a San Antonio Truck Accident
Time is critical after an 18-wheeler crash. Trucking companies and their insurers move fast to protect themselves, and key evidence can disappear within days. That’s why hiring an experienced San Antonio truck accident lawyer immediately makes such a difference. At Ried Pecina Trial Lawyers, we take swift action to secure and protect the evidence you need to win your case.
Our legal team works quickly to:
- Secure maintenance records before they disappear – Trucking companies often delay or “lose” documents that show skipped repairs or faulty inspections. We act fast to lock down those records.
- Investigate inspection reports and driver logs – Federal law requires drivers and carriers to keep detailed safety logs. These records often reveal violations such as skipped inspections or excessive driving hours.
- Preserve black box data from the truck – The truck’s electronic control module (ECM) captures critical crash details like speed, braking, and engine performance. Preserving this data is essential before it gets erased or overwritten.
- Identify every party responsible – Many truck accidents involve more than just the driver. We hold trucking companies, maintenance contractors, and other liable parties accountable for their role in putting unsafe vehicles on the road.
By moving quickly, we prevent the trucking company from hiding behind missing evidence or incomplete reports. This proactive approach gives victims the strongest chance at maximum compensation.
Holding Negligent Trucking Companies Accountable
Trucking companies must face consequences when they put unsafe vehicles on Texas roads. Strong enforcement, larger fines, and strict liability protect the public and help prevent future tragedies.
At Ried Pecina Trial Lawyers, our San Antonio truck accident attorneys aggressively pursue justice for victims of 18-wheeler crashes. We know how to take on big trucking companies and their insurers—and we fight to recover the maximum compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Speak with a San Antonio Truck Accident Lawyer Now
If you or a loved one suffered injuries in a truck accident caused by poor maintenance, don’t wait. Call Ried Pecina Trial Lawyers at (210) 893-0000 for a free, no-obligation consultation with an experienced San Antonio truck accident attorney.
We are ready to protect your rights and hold negligent trucking companies accountable.
