More than 1,700 Kenworth and Peterbilt tractor-trailers are subject to a recall due to a fuel pump problem. Some of these trucks may be on the road in Connecticut, and their drivers and owners should be aware of the situation.
The recall affects trucks with Cummins ISX15 engines. A defect in the fuel pump drive gear can make it disengage and ultimately fail. The fuel pump is the mechanism that transfers diesel fuel from the gas tank to the engine.
Should the fuel pump fail, the engine will not operate. If it fails while off the road, the engine will simply not turn over. But if it fails while the truck is on the highway, the engine will cease to operate. The driver will then lose the ability to propel the truck or maneuver. Thus, it can create a safety hazard on the highway.
In a motor vehicle accident, sometimes the cause is not the actions of a driver, but a defective part on the vehicle. Though at times, the driver can be faulted for not maintaining the vehicle, manufacturers are responsible for producing defect-free products. In cases where a defective part caused a collision or contributed to an injury, the manufacturer can be named as a defendant.
Collisions involving semi trucks can cause catastrophic injuries to people who are in other vehicles, simply because of the sheer size and weight of big rigs. The injuries can often require lengthy periods of medical care and treatment, and the victims in some cases cannot return to work, further exacerbating their financial condition. People who have been harmed in such an accident may want to have an attorney try to determine the responsible party or parties that should bear financial responsibility.
