Braking Bad: Truck Drivers, Defective Brakes and Crashes
Both defective brakes and truck driver error are common causes of truck accidents.
August 30, 2012
The cause of some motor vehicle crashes is readily apparent, like drunk driving or traffic violations. For certain accidents, however, further investigation is needed to uncover what led to a collision and any resulting injuries or deaths. When it comes to truck accidents, two common factors are defective brakes and the actions or inaction of truck drivers. While truck or brake manufacturers may be held accountable for defective brakes under product liability laws, negligent commercial drivers and their carriers may also be found responsible for accidents.Defective Brakes
One report analyzing truck accidents and prevention stated that 56 percent of truck crashes involve brake defects. Air brake systems on large semi-trailer trucks, which must comply with federal regulation standards for commercial vehicles, are complex and must be well-maintained. When air brakes are designed poorly, installed incorrectly or manually adjusted too often, this can lead to defects in the braking system and devastating truck crashes.
Driver Error
In a recent Kansas State University study to uncover the causes of fatal truck accidents, researchers reviewed crash data from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) for accidents in Kansas between 2004 and 2008. Out of 18,919 large truck crashes in the state during this five-year period, 73 percent, or 13,260, were attributed to poor driving practices. According to the study, following vehicles too closely, not yielding the right of way, improper lane changes and speeding were the top contributors to truck crashes.
Crash Liability
If a truck crash investigation finds defective brakes to be the cause of an accident, liability may fall on the truck or brake manufacturer or on any mechanic or servicing company who may have manually over-adjusted the truck brakes. When driver error is the contributing cause of a truck crash, however, both the driver and his or her commercial carrier could be found negligent and liable for any resulting damage, injuries or deaths.
Braking Bad
The size and weight of commercial trucks makes truck crashes some of the most deadly auto accidents. Knowing how and why accidents with commercial trucks occur is the first step in identifying ways to help prevent them in the future. While defective brakes may be a contributing factor, the scarier prospect is how often negligent driver behavior causes serious truck accidents. Driver negligence may be due to distracted driving or driver fatigue. Drivers and carriers need to take appropriate steps to prevent such occurrences and work towards "braking" bad driving habits.
If you were recently in a collision with a commercial vehicle or truck, contact a local truck accident attorney to help you investigate the causes of the crash and identify the responsible parties. A truck crash lawyer with experience in both personal injury and product liability cases can help you hold all parties accountable for their actions.
Article provided by Wright & Gallagher
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