Commercial trucks driving with worn brake components are some of the most dangerous vehicles on the road.
Tens of thousands of people are killed or severely injured every year because someone skipped a brake inspection or failed to replace worn parts. When brakes fail on big rigs, it's never just an accident.
As recently as last year alone, hundreds of truck crashes involved neglected brakes that could've been serviced before disaster struck.
Here's the problem…
Most drivers will never know just how big of an issue this is.
What You Need To Know:
- Why Truck Brake Failure Is So Common
- Worn Brake Parts That Pose The Biggest Danger
- How Slippery Brakes Cause Truck Accidents
- Who Can Be Held Liable For Brake Failure Accidents
- Steps To Take After A Truck Accident Involves Brake Failure
Why Brake Failure Is So Common on Big Rigs and Trucks
Commercial trucks use air brakes that are extremely different than the braking systems on cars and SUVs. These air brakes utilize compressed air instead of hydraulic fluids to stop an 80,000-pound vehicle traveling down the highway.
Stopping that much weight isn't easy. Especially when the braking system is neglected.
Sadly, truck brake problems are some of the leading causes of catastrophic truck accidents. Brake components that should be regularly inspected and maintained are allowed to slip into dangerous conditions where they fail and injure drivers everywhere.
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, brake defects contribute to about 29% of all truck crashes each year. That puts faulty brakes at the number one vehicle defect causing truck accidents nationwide.
When brake failure causes a truck accident injury, the results are almost always devastating. Countless victims are left facing expensive medical bills, lost wages, mounting debt, and lifelong injuries. That's why it's critical to work with an experienced Dallas truck accident lawyer who knows how to prove negligence in these types of cases.
Before we go any further…
Think about how hard your car needs to brake to stop at a stoplight. Now imagine that same car weighing 18 times more.
That's the kind of stopping power expected from big rigs every time they hit the brakes.
The Brake Components Most Likely to Cause Failure
Not all truck brake failures are created equal. Some problems are more dangerous than others. Neglected brake components that pose the biggest threat to safety are:
- Brake pads and linings: Brake pads are designed to create friction and slow the truck down. When they wear too thin, crack, or become contaminated they lose their stopping power.
- Air compressor: Responsible for pumping air pressure to the braking system. If this component fails, there won't be enough air pressure to apply the brakes.
- Brake drums: These can crack or become damaged from failure. When braking pressure is applied to damaged drums, it causes uneven braking and can lead to loss of control
- Slack adjusters: Used to adjust brakes and keep them in proper working order. When they become worn or damaged, brakes will gradually become loose with each application.
When any of these parts fail, they put everyone on the road at risk of a catastrophic truck accident.
How Neglected Brakes Cause Catastrophic Truck Accidents
Whenever truck brakes fail and cause a collision, it never happens by chance. Neglected brakes don't suddenly give out without warning.
There's a reason brake problems cause accidents every year:
Poorly maintained truck brakes can't stop when they need to. They struggle to slow down on hills, make sharp turns, and lose control when pressure is applied unevenly.
While there are many different types of truck accidents, negligence is always at the root of a crash caused by faulty brakes. Common types of accidents that involve brake failure include:
- Rear-end collisions: Because trucks can't stop suddenly like cars, brake failure often causes rear-end collisions. Rear-ending another vehicle with a massive truck often results in serious injury or death.
- Jackknife accidents: When brakes lock up or don't apply evenly to the rear axle, trucks can jackknife or split wide open across lanes of traffic.
- Rollover accidents: Losing braking control on curves and steep downgrades can cause entire trucks to tip over and roll. These accidents cause massive destruction for anyone nearby.
- Override collisions: If brakes fail and a truck driver needs to stop quickly, they may drive right over the top of another vehicle. Override accidents are almost always fatal for anyone in smaller vehicles.
Trucks have big brakes for a reason. And all of these accidents can be prevented when truck drivers follow maintenance schedules and ensure their brakes are in working order.
During Brake Safety Week 2024, the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) inspected 16,725 trucks and cited 12.8%, or 2,148 trucks, for brake violations that were serious enough to remove them from the road. That number proves large truck companies and drivers are knowingly allowing unsafe trucks with braking problems on the road.
The Average Braking Distance For A Loaded Semi
Let's break down how difficult it is for trucks to come to a complete stop.
Traveling at highway speeds, a loaded semi needs about 200 feet to come to a complete stop. When brakes are worn or not adjusted properly, that stopping distance can quickly increase to hundreds of feet.
And just like that… lives are changed forever.
Who's Responsible When Truck Brakes Fail
Determining liability can be difficult when truck brakes fail and cause a crash. Sometimes multiple parties are responsible for negligence.
Those who can be held liable in truck accident cases involving brake failure include:
- Trucking company: If maintenance schedules were not being followed, records were falsified, or drivers were encouraged to skip brake inspections to save money and time.
- Truck driver: All truck drivers are federally mandated to perform pre-trip and post-trip inspections on their vehicles. If these were not performed correctly, they could be found negligent.
- Maintenance companies: If brakes were inspected or serviced incorrectly by a third-party mechanic or company.
- Brake manufacturers: If brake parts were defective due to poor manufacturing or design.
Negligence often comes down to more than just one party being liable for an accident. That's why building a case from the ground up is essential to finding every responsible party.
What You Should Do After A Truck Accident Caused By Brake Failure
Being involved in a serious truck accident can throw anyone's life into turmoil. But one of the worst things you can do is try to handle a truck accident case on your own.
If you or someone you know has been involved in a collision with a big rig, here are some immediate steps that should be taken:
Get medical attention and document any injuries. It's important to have a record of your injuries after an accident, even if they seem minor. Your medical records will become important later if you decide to seek compensation.
Preserve evidence of the crash. Take pictures, get witness statements, and file a police report. Brake failure cases should also focus on the truck's maintenance records and prior inspection reports.
Don't settle quickly. Insurance companies and large trucking corporations want to avoid truck accident claims at all costs. They will often offer low-ball settlements that don't nearly cover the cost of your damages.
Those damages can include…
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Vehicle damages
- Future medical care
The Takeaway…
Brake problems on trucks and big rigs are some of the leading causes of catastrophic collisions. Neglected brakes cause thousands of serious injuries each year and put everyone on the road at risk.
When trucks slip their brakes into unsafe conditions, the inevitable happens. Someone else gets hurt.
Drivers have a responsibility to maintain their vehicles before taking them out on the road. While no one can control every driver that uses Texas roadways, negligent trucking companies can and should be held accountable for their actions.
If you or a loved one have been injured in a truck accident, trust the truck accident lawyers at Freese & Goss to fight for your rights.
