Can Faulty Brakes Cause Truck Accidents?

A large tractor trailer can weigh as much as 80,000 pounds. This is a significant amount of weight that relies on the vehicle’s braking system. Due to the importance of a big rig’s brakes, truck drivers are required by law to inspect their brakes daily. Unfortunately, missed inspections, negligence, and brake deterioration left unchecked result in crashes far too often.

Before getting on the road, truck drivers must perform a daily inspection of their brakes. After the daily brake inspection, a trucker must create and submit a report to their employer regarding the condition of their vehicle’s brakes. Sadly, trucking companies and drivers often overlook these inspections. Insufficient vehicle maintenance can result in truckers not realizing there is a problem with truck brakes until it is too late.

How Do Brakes Fail?

Brake failures on large trucks most often occur because of the following:

• The brake system was not adequately installed or maintained
• The driver was not trained to use the air brakes properly
• The brake pads have worn away
• The brakes overheated
• The brakes locked during an emergency maneuver

Brake failures can happen in an instant, and they often cause catastrophic accidents. For innocent victims injured in a truck accident, the results can be devastating. The driver or trucking company may be held responsible for negligence regarding improper maintenance of the vehicle responsible for your accident.

Situations that Cause Brake Failure

Drivers and trucking companies should be aware of common situations wherein truck brakes can fail. These include:

• When the driver continues to brake while going downhill, the brakes will overheat because they have been engaged for too long
• Any emergency stop
• Sudden braking combined with defensive maneuvers
• Any truck that appears to be overloaded or carrying a wide load

Motorists must be diligent when driving near large trucks. Whenever possible, steer clear of tractor trailers, allow them to change lanes carefully, and never cut them off.

Philadelphia Truck Accident Lawyers at Galfand Berger LLP Help Those Injured in Truck Accidents Caused by Improper Maintenance

The Philadelphia truck accident lawyers at Galfand Berger LLP help clients injured in truck accidents. If you have questions or concerns pertaining to your truck accident, call us at 800-222-8792 or contact us online for a free consultation. Located in Philadelphia, Bethlehem, Lancaster, and Reading, Pennsylvania, we serve clients throughout New Jersey and Pennsylvania, including Allentown and Harrisburg.