mechanical failure
Large semi tractor-trailers are complex machines comprising many systems that are all required to operate correctly at the same time to prevent breakdowns and equipment failure. Even the safest truck driver is at the mercy of company policies governing regular maintenance and supervising mechanics in charge of keeping the trucks running. If any one of the parts or systems fails inspection, doesn’t function properly, or breaks down at highway speeds, a catastrophic accident can result.
Truck mechanical failure wrecks may be caused by
- Brake lining failure
- Insufficient tire tread, blowouts
- Improper wheel alignment, balancing
- Tire under inflation
- Improper use of the number of axels
- Axel dislodging
- Overloads, trailer hitch failure
- Improper stopping procedures, no hazard warnings
Henderson v. Prerovsky, Zone, Vision and Chicago Trailer Pool Corp., et. al.
On October 10, 2007, Police Officer Gary Henderson was assisting in an investigation on the shoulder of I-74 in Shelby County, Indiana. Officer Gary Henderson had exited his police car and began photographing a vehicle they had stopped on the shoulder of the interstate. At that time and place, a semi-tractor owned by Defendant Zone Express, Inc, which was leased to the Defendant Vision Transportation, Inc, and pulling a trailer owned by the Defendant Chicago Trailer Pool Corp was moving in an easterly direction on I-74.
As the semi-tractor trailer drove past the location where Officer Henderson was photographing the stopped vehicle, the rear set of dual tires on the trailer came off of the axle, rolled across te right hand lane of eastbound I-74 and across the merging lane for the entrance tamp and struck Officer Henderson, killing him. The above-described incident is the direct and proximate result of the carelessness and negligence of the Defendants in operating, inspecting, servicing, maintaining and repairing the semi-tractor trailer.
Tabor Law Firm successfully represented Gary's wife in a wrongful death claim against the driver, Zone Express and Vision Transportation, and is continuing their efforts to successfully prosecute the remaining defandants.
