While truck brake failures don’t necessarily cause the majority of collisions, they still lead to crashes quite often. However, when brakes fail, and trucks cause accidents as a result, they typically lead to serious, high-impact crashes.
This is primarily due to the fact that large trucks usually have difficulty slowing down and stopping in time. That said, the only way to truly know what caused a crash is to contact a Charlotte truck accident lawyer who can investigate the accident on your behalf.
Why Truck Brake Failures Often Lead To Crashes
Truck brake failures don’t cause the majority of accidents, but they still happen often. When a truck’s brakes fail and a collision happens as a result, the aftermath tends to be life-altering for everyone involved. For starters, commercial trucks weigh more than passenger vehicles.
As a result, they require much more distance to come to a complete stop, even under normal circumstances. When a truck’s brakes fail, the distance needed for the truck to stop increases dramatically, which often leaves drivers with little to no ability to avoid a crash.
These types of accidents are often linked to the following issues:
- Poor maintenance
- Worn brake components
- Overheating on steep grades
- Improper loading placing too much strain on the braking system
In some cases, the problem could have started well before the brakes failed. For instance, the trucking company itself may be held responsible for failing to inspect or maintain its vehicles properly.
In others, the issue could have originally stemmed from defective parts or third-party maintenance providers. Ultimately, what matters above all is that truck brake failure crashes are rarely accidental. They’re often preventable, and holding the at-fault parties accountable is important.
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What Causes Truck Brake Failures in the First Place?
Figuring out exactly what caused the truck’s brakes to fail is a critical part of building a case and filing a legal claim. There’s almost always a reason why these collisions take place due to brake failures.
More specifically, these are some examples of why truck drivers experience brake failures:
- Lack of proper maintenance: Trucking companies are responsible for keeping their vehicles in safe working condition. When they cut corners or fail to uphold these expectations, brakes are more likely to wear down or fail entirely.
- Overloaded trucks: If trucks are transporting more weight than they can logistically handle, the excess weight can place added strain on the truck’s braking system, making it harder for the driver to stop safely.
- Driver-related error: In some cases, drivers might misuse braking systems, especially when operating their vehicles downhill. This can result in overheated braking systems.
- Defective truck parts: Faulty brake components or manufacturing defects can also contribute to accidents.
Your lawyer will know how to conduct a thorough investigation into what caused the brake system to fail in the first place. From there, your attorney can figure out who should be held responsible.
Who Can Be Held Responsible After a Brake Failure Crash?
One of the biggest misconceptions people have about truck brake failures that lead to crashes is that the truck driver is always at fault. In reality, these cases are often far more complicated than that, which is why it’s important for attorneys to investigate what happened. Depending on the circumstances, liability could involve any of these parties, if not more than one party at once:
- The trucking company for failing to maintain the vehicle
- A maintenance provider that performed faulty repairs
- A manufacturer responsible for defective parts
- The driver, if their actions contributed to the failure
In North Carolina, the state abides by a strict contributory negligence rule. This means that if you’re found partially at fault for the crash that caused your injuries, you might not be able to recover compensation in your case.
That’s why it’s in your interests to have a lawyer who knows how to build a strong case and protect your side of the story from the very beginning.
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What a Lawyer Can Do After a Truck Brake Failure Caused Your Injuries
After a serious accident, you should be able to focus on getting better, not deciphering legal paperwork, answering phone calls, or negotiating with insurance adjusters. When you hire an attorney to represent you, you’ll have someone taking care of these matters on your behalf.
This is what you can rely on your lawyer to do for you:
- Investigate the crash
- Identify all responsible parties
- Collecting all relevant evidence in your case
- Handle communication with insurance companies
- Negotiate for a settlement that reflects what you’ve been through
- Prepare your case for court, if needed
It helps to look for a law firm that wants to help you move forward without adding more stress to an already difficult situation.
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Contact DeMayo Law Offices For Help if a Truck’s Brake Failure Led to a Crash That Injured You
In the aftermath of a truck accident, the law firm you choose to handle your case can make all the difference. Not every law firm approaches these cases the same way, but at DeMayo Law Offices, we focus on People Over Profits™.
This means we’ll take the time to understand what you’re going through. As Your North Carolina Law Firm™, the team of experienced lawyers and staff at DeMayo Law Offices has over 250 years of combined legal experience.
We’ve helped more than 125,000 clients across North Carolina, and the firm has recovered over $1 billion in judgments and settlements for their clients. Call us today for help with your case. After all, a right without a remedy is just a suggestion™.
Call or text (877) 333-1000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
