Braking systems help control tractor-trailers and other large commercial trucks and ensure safety for the truck driver and other motorists on the road. When a truck’s brakes fail, it presents one of the most dangerous trucking safety hazards, often leading to crashes resulting in injury or death.
The fallout from commercial motor vehicle accidents causes life-altering, costly, and potentially fatal injuries. That is why commercial drivers and trucking companies must exercise care to ensure their vehicles’ brakes are properly maintained.
How Many Truck Accidents Are Caused by Brake Failure?
While truck accidents occur for various reasons, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, brake failure is the leading vehicle-related cause of truck accidents. Brake problems were an associated factor in 29 percent of large truck crashes in a recent year. Truck accidents caused by brake failures frequently result in catastrophic injuries to truck drivers and other motorists.
Trucks must receive regular maintenance and inspections of their parts to prevent brake system failures and identify potential issues. Unfortunately, lapsed or inadequate truck brake maintenance often results in brake failure accidents.
Common Types of Brake Problems on Large Trucks
Numerous components on truck brake systems could malfunction and make the brakes fail, causing an accident, including:
- Brake imbalances – An uneven distribution of brake force between a truck’s wheels leads to imbalanced braking, which puts more force on one side of the truck. Braking imbalances can cause the truck to veer in an uncontrolled manner.
- Overheating – Frequent braking causes the braking components to overheat, which can cause total brake failure in extreme cases. This risk of a runaway truck is exceptionally high in areas where trucks regularly have to navigate steep declines.
- Misaligned brake shoes – Brake shoes or brake pads apply pressure to the brake drums or discs, and misaligned parts resulting from poor installation or maintenance could compromise the brake system with accelerated wear and tear.
- Residue in air reservoirs – Heavy commercial trucks typically use air brake systems instead of hydraulic brakes, which are commonly found in most cars and light trucks. Contamination from oil or moisture can impact the air quality in the reservoirs, reducing the air’s effectiveness and the system’s ability to brake quickly.
- Faulty air compressors – Air brakes need adequate air pressure to work correctly. Without stable compressed air pressure, the braking system may not function properly and fail.
- Inadequate lubrication – Lack of lubrication on brake parts can increase friction and heat on the brake components. When these parts can’t work smoothly due to poor lubrication, they break down faster due to wear and tear.
- Defective design – Production errors or flawed design of trucks’ braking systems pose potential risks to the vehicles’ functionality and road safety.
Who Can Be Held Liable for Truck Accidents Involving Brake Failure?
Identifying the responsible parties in large commercial truck crashes can be highly complex. To determine the responsible parties, an experienced truck accident attorney can conduct a thorough investigation into the accident. Some of the potentially liable parties include:
- The truck driver
- The trucking company
- The truck and brake manufacturers
- The safety or maintenance inspector
- The repair shop that maintains the truck brakes
Get in Touch with Our Truck Accident Attorneys Now
If you’re dealing with truck accident injuries, you need experienced legal help as you recover. At Craig, Kelley, & Faultless LLC, we’re dedicated to pursuing the total compensation you need to move forward after a truck crash involving brake failure. We understand how difficult it is to deal with insurance companies after a truck brake failure crash, and we are happy to shoulder this burden while you heal.
Contact us today for your free consultation.
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