Semi Truck Accident Claims Involving Brake Failure

Attorney Tim David discusses Semi Truck accident claims in Orlando Florida. Learn Your Rights as a Driver Sharing the Road with these big rigs.

The danger involved in a semi losing control on the highway due to brake or tire failure is no secret. We have all seen the emergency truck ramps made available for the runaway semi and we have all driven out of the way last minute to avoid tire debris that suddenly appears in the middle of the highway from a truck losing a tire. How deadly are these situations and what are your rights as a driver when you are involved in an accident or injury with a failing semi truck?

According to the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration, there were 333,000 large trucks involved in traffic crashes this past year.

The majority of these semi-trailer truck accidents resulted from driver negligence revealing just how important it is for victims of semi truck accident claims to understand their rights. The truck accident attorneys at David & Philpot want to help you to understand your rights.

A recent study sponsored by the U.S. Department of Transportation found that nearly 30 percent of all large truck crashes involve brake failure, brakes out of adjustment, or other brake-related issues; including failing tires. For this reason, the federal government has strict safety regulations for truck braking systems. These regulations don’t make the big rigs fool proof. Injuries from semi truck accidents can be much more serious than those from passenger cars and have much larger legal impacts.

If you’ve been injured in a truck accident, learning about the common causes of brake and tire failure and who might be responsible will help you determine whether you have a valid claim and what your next steps should be.

There are many factors to consider when determining who is at fault regarding an accident involving a truck with brake or tire failure. We recommend contacting an accident attorney to decide what makes the best sense in your particular incident, and in the meantime, you may also consider the following:

Why Do Tractor Trailer Brakes Fail?

Some of the most common problems that lead to brake failure in trucks include:

  • Overheated brakes
  • Worn tires
  • Brakes saturated with oil or grease

Who is to Blame For the Defective Brakes?

Several different parties may be responsible for defective brakes concerning an injury accident, which makes the situation complicated and often warrants legal consultation. The following may or may not be responsible parties involved:

  • The truck driver
  • The mechanic for the truck
  • The company responsible for loading the truck
  • The trucks owner/operator
  • The brake manufacturer

Many regulations exist to assure that truckers are safe to be on the roads, but often times these regulations are dismissed or wagered at the expense of other drivers.

The reasons why truck brakes may fail listed above may seem simple, but there is often more to the story. For example, an owner/operator of a tractor-trailer may rely on the brakes of the trailer and downshifting to stop or slow the rig to minimize the expense of tire and brake wear and the replacement costs. This may easily result in a large expense to victims in semi truck accident claims and could cost them much more than their life. It is important to take a good look at who is at fault when involved in any sort of accident claim with a semi.

Getting Help With Semi Truck Accident Claims

There is a valid reason we hold the steering wheel tighter than normal when passing a semi and the reasons go deeper than you ever imagined. Let the attorneys at David & Philpot help you fully investigate your semi truck accident claim. We will analyze all of the important evidence which points to who is ultimately responsible for the accident and the injuries at hand. We will fight on your behalf and find you the justice and compensation that you deserve.

Contact an accident attorney at David & Philpot for a fee consultation. Let us help you feel safer driving on the roads today with all trucks at all times. If you’ve been injured in a Florida big rig accident, contact the truck accident attorneys at David & Philpot today. We will review your case at no cost and consult with you about the next steps to take.