Truck Brake Failure Accident

Brake system failure is a leading cause of commercial truck accidents in the U.S. The sheer weight and size of tractor-trailers makes them more difficult to slow down or stop than other vehicles. Faulty brakes can lead to deadly collisions when truck drivers are not able to stop big rigs. In the Large Truck Crash Causation Study Analysis Brief, brake problems were reported to be the leading factor associated with large trucks in fatal and injury crashes, as stated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).

Truck braking problems have been such a major factor in truck accidents that the federal motor vehicle safety standard on air brake systems has been amended, as reported by National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The purpose of the amendment is to improve stopping distance performance of truck tractors. For most new heavy truck tractors, the new rule requires a 30% reduction in stopping distance over previous requirements. Trucks must be able to stop in 250 feet, fully loaded and traveling at 60 mph.

Truck wrecks often involve multiple potentially liable parties. When truck brake failure causes serious injuries to others, the responsible parties may include:

When a large commercial truck is involved in an accident, a thorough investigation is required. To establish liability, you may need a crash site investigator and certified truck inspector to examine the accident scene. Inspection can reveal what caused the collision and who is responsible. If the truck’s brakes are found to have failed, more review is necessary to determine when the truck was last inspected and by whom, whether the driver conducted an inspection before the trip, and when the owner of the truck last had the brakes serviced or repaired.

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