A recent nationwide truck inspection uncovered alarming brake violations on nearly 12 percent of all commercial trucks, underscoring the role defective brakes play in causing fatal and serious truck accidents. According to a Truckers News article, these violations highlight the ongoing dangers of poorly maintained truck brakes on our roads.
The inspection, conducted by the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA), involved 37 jurisdictions across the country. Commercial motor vehicle inspectors conducted 4,898 Level I, IV, and V inspections of commercial trucks during this one-day blitz.
The findings were disturbing. According to The Trucker, 570 commercial motor vehicles were immediately taken out of service due to brake-related violations—11.6 percent of the inspected vehicles. Additionally, inspectors discovered brake violations in 74 power units and 46 towed units, further emphasizing the widespread issue of inadequate brake maintenance in the trucking industry.
Nationwide truck inspection finds widespread brake safety violations
The recent one-day nationwide inspection event revealed a troubling number of truck brake violations, highlighting the ongoing safety risks on our roads. According to Transport Topics, inspectors discovered 570 critical brake violations, including:
- 330 commercial trucks with at least 20 percent of their brakes defective
- Worn brake lines and hoses
- Broken brake drums
- Inoperative tractor protection systems
- Inoperative low-air warning devices
- Truck brake air leaks
- Hydraulic brake fluid leaks
- Steering-related brake violations
This inspection was part of Brake Safety Day, a key initiative under Operation Airbrake—a CVSA program to educate commercial truck drivers and trucking companies in North America about the critical importance of brake safety. The CVSA also conducts Brake Safety Week, another component of Operation Airbrake, from August 25 to 31 each year, further reinforcing the need for stringent brake maintenance and safety awareness.
Defective brakes can cause devastating truck wrecks
When a commercial truck's brakes fail, the results can be catastrophic, leading to a wide range of serious accidents. Some of the most common collisions caused by defective truck brakes include:
Rear-end accidents
These collisions are especially dangerous when a tractor-trailer crashes into a car from behind. The truck's sheer size and weight can cause severe damage and serious injuries, even at lower speeds.
High-speed collisions
If a truck's brakes are faulty, the driver may be unable to slow down or stop in time, leading to high-speed crashes. These accidents often result in devastating damage and life-threatening injuries.
Rollover truck accidents
When a truck with defective brakes attempts to turn or navigate a curve, it may be unable to slow down safely, causing the vehicle to roll over. Rollovers are particularly dangerous, as they can involve multiple vehicles and result in serious injuries or fatalities.
Underride truck accidents
These occur when a smaller vehicle becomes trapped underneath a tractor-trailer. Underride accidents are often fatal and typically happen when a truck's brake lights are not functioning, preventing other drivers from realizing the truck is slowing down or stopping.
Jackknife accidents
Defective brakes can cause a truck's trailer to swing out to the side, forming an angle with the cab and blocking multiple lanes of traffic. Jackknife accidents can lead to multi-vehicle pileups and significant injuries.
Side-impact collisions (T-bone accidents)
If a truck's brakes fail at an intersection, it may not be able to stop in time, resulting in a T-bone collision with another vehicle. These side-impact crashes are often severe, especially for the smaller vehicle's occupants.
Runaway truck accidents
Brake failure can cause a truck to gain uncontrollable speed on steep inclines or declines, leading to dangerous runaway truck accidents. These incidents often result in severe collisions with other vehicles or obstacles.
Who pays for a truck accident caused by brake failure?
Liability for a truck accident caused by brake failure can extend to several parties. The truck driver may be held responsible if they neglect to perform required pre-trip inspections or ignore signs of brake problems. The trucking company could also be liable if they failed to maintain the vehicle properly or pushed the driver to operate the truck despite known brake issues.
Additionally, the brake system manufacturer might be accountable if a design flaw or manufacturing defect causes the brakes to fail. In cases where a third-party maintenance provider was responsible for inspecting or repairing the brakes, they could also be liable if their negligence contributed to the failure.
Get the compensation you deserve after a Texas truck accident
Truck accidents in Texas involving defective brakes might seem straightforward, but securing the compensation you deserve can be an uphill battle. Often, those injured in these serious accidents face resistance from the at-fault parties who refuse to admit wrongdoing or from insurance companies that only care about protecting their profits.
No matter the circumstances of your accident, John R. Solis, Attorney at Law, can guide you every step of the way. We know how to thoroughly investigate truck accidents involving defective brakes, identify crucial evidence, and build a strong legal case to support your claim.
Put your trust in a law firm that puts your needs first. Contact us today to schedule a free case evaluation with an experienced Laredo truck accident attorney who is ready to fight for you. With years of experience handling complex injury claims and lawsuits throughout Texas, we're here to help you get the justice you deserve.
"Very courteous and professional office staff and Attorney John Solis definitely went the extra mile to ensure I got the most out of my situation." – Allan V.