Semi Trucks Recalled for Fire Hazard

Truck drivers already have to deal with long hours, dangerous road conditions, and others on the road who do not know how to drive around big trucks. However, even the trucks themselves can pose a danger. Trucking accidents can be caused by improper truck maintenance, brake failure, or defective vehicle parts. 

Thousands of trucks were recently recalled because of a defect that could cause the engines to catch fire, putting truck drivers and others at risk of a truck accident or serious burn injury. 

Peterbilt Truck Recall for Dangerous Defects

PACCAR is recalling more than 35,000 Peterbilt trucks from the 2015 to 2020 model years. The trucks may have a jumper terminal cable that is too long, which could allow the cable to rub against a suspension spring, exposing the wires. If the exposed wire contacted the suspension spring, it could short circuit and cause a fire.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there are 35,671 potential vehicles affected by the recall. Under recall campaign 20V130, “an electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.” Vehicle owners are to be notified and dealers will inspect the vehicle and replace the cables, if necessary. 

How Are Defective Trucks Still on the Road?

If vehicle manufacturers are properly designing, manufacturing, and testing their trucks, how are defective trucks still on the road? Not all vehicles are made with a safe design or manufactured according to specifications. When these defective vehicles are to blame for injuring drivers or passengers, the injury victims may be able to recover damages through a product liability lawsuit. 

Product defect claims allow the injury victim to find the manufacturer, distributor, or dealer strictly liable for their injuries. Strict liability means the victim does not have to show that any one individual was negligent but that because a defective product was sold to the consumer, the designers or manufacturers are held responsible. The main types of defective product claims include: 

• Manufacturing defect
• Design defect
• Failure to warn defect

Manufacturing Defect

A manufacturing defect involves a product that departs from its intended design and is more dangerous because of the way it was made. Manufacturing defects may involve using a cheaper material than the intended material as a way for the company to save money. 

Design Defect

A design defect is a problem with the original design that creates a substantial risk of injury to consumers. Even if these products are made according to the design and used normally by consumers, they may be dangerous because of the way they were designed. Design defects may include a cable that chafes against other materials, causing the cable to break or cause a short circuit. 

Improper Warning Defect

A warning defect involves a problem with the lack of warnings or instructions for consumers. Warnings may not be needed for obvious dangers. However, warnings for less obvious dangers may be necessary to protect users from the dangers of using the product as anticipated. 

A claim of inadequate warning refers to a product that carries warning and instructions which failed to adequately notify a potential user of the harm a product may pose, and, as a result, an injury results (which would have been prevented had the warnings/instructions on the product been adequate).

Philadelphia Product Defect Attorneys 

If you were injured because of a vehicle defect, the vehicle manufacturer should be held responsible for cutting corners. The Philly personal injury lawyers at Gilman & Bedigian are fully equipped to handle the process of bringing a defective product claim against those who were responsible for the injury. Do not hesitate to contact Gilman & Bedigian today for a free consultation.