A lawsuit has been filed in Alabama federal court over Freightliner heavy duty trucks manufactured by Daimler Trucks North America LLC, a division of Daimler AG. The Freightliner truck lawsuit is seeking class action status and alleges Daimler sold thousands of vehicles with defective rac-and-pinion steering systems. The complaint was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama. The lawsuit points out that Daimler has issued voluntary recalls of its rack-and-pinion steering systems. According to the recall notice the left hand inner tie rod may loosen over time and potentially separate from the steering rack under certain conditions, which could cause in the driver to lose control and potenially cause a catastrophic accident.
Here at thehttps://www.brodfirm.com Brod Law Firm we have safety advice for drivers when they approach commercial trucks during their everyday commute. Firstly, you should always be extra alert as you approach a large truck, as their blind spots are difficult to avoid. That being said, the following is a helpful tip for navigating a truck’s blind spot: If you can’t see a truck’s side mirrors, then that means the truck driver can’t see you. Also, you should never pass a truck on the same side it is signaling to turn. Trucks need to swing wide to negotiate turns safely, and the rear wheels follow a shorter path than the front wheels. As a result, you could get cought in the middle of the turn and collide with the truck. In addition, trucks require much more distance to stop in comparison to cars. Forcing a large vehicle to stop quickly can result in a fatal accident, so stay at a safe distance in front of trucks. And you should always use the proper procedure to pass a large truck or a bus on the highway–accelerate slightly and maintain a consistent speed while passing, and wait until you can see the entire cab in your rear-view mirror before signaling and pulling in front of it. Lastly, never attempt to cut off a truck in traffic or on the highway to reach your exit or turn.
If you of loved one suffered an injury due to a collision with a commercial truck, contact our office for a free consultation. We have over 10 years experience helping victims of serious traffic accidents get the compensation they deserve.