Texas drivers regularly share the road with massive tractor-trailers, oil tankers, delivery trucks, and other large commercial vehicles. If you've ever felt uneasy driving near these big rigs, your concerns are well-founded.
A recent nationwide inspection event revealed that nearly 12 percent of commercial trucks had defective brakes serious enough to require their immediate removal from the road, according to a report by The Trucker.
These findings highlight the serious risks posed by large trucks with faulty brakes. When these vehicles aren't properly maintained, everyone's safety on the road is at risk. Trucking companies and drivers must ensure their vehicles are in safe operating condition to prevent serious and fatal truck accidents.
Trucks pulled from roads due to critical brake violations
As reported by Truckers News, the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) recently organized a nationwide brake inspection drive for commercial trucks. This initiative, known as Brake Safety Day, saw CVSA partner with 37 jurisdictions across the country to conduct 4,898 brake inspections in a single day.
The results were alarming. Inspectors identified 570 commercial trucks with brake violations so severe that the vehicles had to be immediately taken off the road until the issues were resolved. These "critical" violations accounted for 11.6% of all trucks inspected, according to Transport Topics.
What are common truck brake violations?
The recent one-day nationwide truck brake inspection blitz exposed a troubling number of commercial truck brake violations—issues that are all too common on our nation's roads and highways. The most frequent violations identified were:
- Non-functioning brake lights: Brake lights that don't work can prevent other drivers from knowing when a truck is slowing down or stopping, increasing the risk of rear-end collisions.
- Worn-out brake pads, lines, or hoses: Brake pads that are too thin, or brake lines and hoses that are damaged or worn out, reduce a truck's ability to stop effectively. This can lead to delayed braking and potentially disastrous consequences, especially in high-speed situations.
- Broken brake drums: Brake drums are crucial for slowing down and stopping a truck. When they're broken, the braking system becomes less effective, making it difficult for the driver to control the truck.
- Truck brake air leaks: Air leaks in the braking system can cause a significant loss of braking power. In air brake systems, which are common in large trucks, any loss of air pressure can lead to a complete brake failure.
- Hydraulic brake fluid leaks: Leaks in the hydraulic brake system can reduce the amount of pressure applied to the brakes, weakening their effectiveness and increasing the stopping distance.
- Defective low-air warning devices: These devices alert drivers when air pressure in the braking system falls below a safe level. If they're defective, drivers may not realize there's a problem until it's too late, leading to potential brake failure.
- Inoperative tractor protection systems: These systems are designed to protect the tractor's air brake system in the event of a trailer air leak. If this system is inoperative, it puts the entire braking system at risk, compromising the safety of everyone on the road.
- Steering-related brake problems: When brakes are applied, the ability to steer the truck safely is critical. Steering-related brake problems can make it difficult to control the truck during braking, especially in emergency situations.
Common truck accidents caused by defective brakes
When a truck's brakes aren't functioning properly, the results can be devastating, often leading to severe or fatal accidents. Some of the most common types of commercial truck accidents caused by faulty or defective brakes include:
High-speed truck accidents
Defective brakes can prevent a truck from slowing down or stopping in time, especially at high speeds. This can lead to catastrophic collisions, often with severe consequences due to the truck's sheer size and weight.
Rear-end accidents
A truck with faulty brakes is likelier to crash into the vehicle in front of it, particularly in stop-and-go traffic or during sudden stops. Rear-end collisions are especially dangerous when a large truck hits a smaller vehicle from behind, often resulting in serious injuries or fatalities.
Rollover truck accidents
When brakes fail, a truck may be unable to slow down safely, especially on curves or steep inclines. This can cause the truck to roll over, leading to significant damage, injuries, and even death.
Underride truck accidents
These deadly accidents occur when a smaller vehicle crashes into the rear of a tractor-trailer and slides underneath it. This is particularly common if the truck's brake lights aren't working, giving the driver behind no warning to slow down or stop.
Who can be liable for a truck accident caused by defective brakes?
Liability for a truck accident caused by defective brakes can involve multiple parties, making these cases very complex. For instance, the truck driver may be liable if they fail to inspect the brakes or ignore signs of malfunction. The trucking company could also be responsible if they neglected regular maintenance or pressured drivers to stay on the road despite known issues.
If the brakes were defective due to a manufacturing flaw, the brake manufacturer might be held accountable. Additionally, a maintenance provider could share liability if they improperly inspected or repaired the brakes.
In some cases, improperly loaded or overloaded cargo could contribute to brake failure, making the cargo loader liable. Lastly, if the truck is owned by a leasing company or another third party, they might be responsible for ensuring the vehicle's safe condition.
Don't let trucking companies avoid responsibility—get the maximum compensation you deserve
At Coby L. Wooten, Attorney At Law, P.C., our Fort Worth truck accident lawyers are committed to fighting for the rights of injury victims and their families across Texas.
Our in-depth understanding of state and federal laws governing commercial truck accidents has consistently secured substantial results for our clients. For instance, in one case involving a fatal rear-end truck accident, we obtained a $1.155 million settlement.
Don't take chances after your truck accident—take control. Contact our law firm today to schedule a free case evaluation.