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Commercial trucks work under harsh conditions that stress parts more than passenger vehicles do. Defective brakes, tire failures, steering problems, and other part failures can cause catastrophic accidents. When a defective part causes a truck accident, the manufacturer may be liable under California’s strict product liability doctrine. The trucking company may be liable for negligent maintenance. Either may be liable to injured victims. Attorney Damoun Yazdi at The Accident Network Law Group handles defective truck part accident claims throughout Southern California.
Key Takeaways
- California strict product liability (Greenman v. Yuba Power Products, 1963) holds manufacturers liable for defective parts without requiring proof of negligence
- FMCSA regulations (49 CFR Part 396) require systematic inspection and maintenance of commercial trucks
- Common defective components in truck accidents include brakes, tires, steering, coupling devices, and lighting systems
- Drivers and trucking companies can be liable for failing to identify and report defective conditions through the Driver Vehicle Inspection Report (DVIR) process
- Evidence from the truck must be preserved immediately after an accident; call an attorney within hours
Common Defective Truck Components
Brake Systems: Commercial trucks rely on air brake systems fundamentally different from passenger vehicle hydraulic brakes. Air brake failures, brake chamber defects, S-cam failures, and brake adjustment issues can result in extended stopping distances or complete brake failure. Federal regulations (49 CFR Part 393) establish brake performance standards that commercial vehicles must meet.
Tires: Commercial truck tires face extreme loads and temperature stresses. Tire tread separation, belt separation, and sidewall failures can cause sudden blowouts that destabilize the truck and lead to accidents. Tire failures may result from manufacturing defects (the subject of major historical recalls), improper inflation, overloading beyond the tire’s rated capacity, or failure to replace tires worn beyond safe limits.
Steering Components: Steering gear failures, tie rod failures, and worn ball joints can cause sudden loss of directional control. These failures may stem from manufacturing defects or from deferred maintenance.
Coupling Systems: The fifth wheel coupling connecting a tractor to its trailer must securely engage or trailer separation can occur at highway speeds. Defective fifth wheel locks, worn coupling components, and improper inspection can allow trailer separation.
Lighting and Signals: Federal regulations require functioning lights and signals on commercial vehicles. Defective lighting that fails to provide required visibility increases accident risk and creates regulatory violation evidence.
California’s Strict Product Liability Standard
Under California’s strict product liability doctrine (established in Greenman v. Yuba Power Products, 1963), an injured party can hold a manufacturer liable for a defective product without proving the manufacturer was negligent. The plaintiff must show the product was defective when it left the manufacturer’s control, the defect made the product unreasonably dangerous, and the defect caused the plaintiff’s injuries.
For truck component claims, this means the tire manufacturer, brake manufacturer, or other component supplier can be sued alongside the trucking company. Each defendant may carry separate insurance, increasing the total available recovery.
Regulatory Violations as Evidence of Negligence
When a truck accident is caused by a component that violated FMCSA regulations (49 CFR Parts 390 through 399), the regulatory violation creates strong evidence of negligence. The FMCSA’s vehicle condition standards are designed to prevent accidents from equipment failures. Violation of these standards when the violation causes an accident typically establishes negligence per se.
California Laws Relevant to Defective Truck Part Claims
California’s strict product liability doctrine (Greenman, 1963), FMCSA regulations (49 CFR Parts 390 through 399), California Code of Civil Procedure Section 335.1 (two-year statute of limitations), California follows pure comparative negligence (Li v. Yellow Cab Co., 1975), and California Vehicle Code Section 16056 (amended by SB 1107, effective January 1, 2025), which sets minimum auto liability insurance at $30,000/$60,000/$15,000.
Nicky C
I can't explain in this short review how much Damoun and his team mean to us, but I'll try. My husband was in a near fatal motor cycle accident. He was T-boned by a pick up truck 4 months after we had our baby girl. The stress, fear and sadness I felt could not be measured I had no idea what to do or what happened. I'm so lucky we connected with Damoun and his group. It was a weekend and of course he was working lol. They really took care of us and put our minds at ease. The care and love they give their clients is unreal and I still can't believe how lucky we were to find them. Please if you need help, want someone who cares and will work for you this is the group. Damoun Yazdi you are amazing and so is your group we love you guys. Thank you for changing our lives for the better and for caring.
Contact The Accident Network Law Group
Defective truck component cases move fast because critical evidence, the part itself, the maintenance records, the black box data, can be lost, repaired, or destroyed within days of a crash. Attorney Damoun Yazdi and the team at The Accident Network Law Group coordinate the investigation immediately, working to hold both the manufacturer and the trucking company accountable. We serve clients in Costa Mesa, Riverside, Rancho Cucamonga, Apple Valley, Victorville, Bakersfield, and throughout Southern California, with free consultations and a contingency fee (No Recovery, No Fee) guarantee. Se habla espanol.
Legal Disclaimer
This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. The outcome of any case depends on its specific facts and circumstances. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Contact The Accident Network Law Group for advice about your individual situation.
