A large number of commercial truck accidents occur due to some kind of mechanical failure or malfunction of a truck part. One of the most common mechanical failure on a commercial truck is the failure of the brakes. According to the United States Department of Transportation (DOT), brake failure or other brake problems were involved in almost one-third of all truck accidents. If you have been involved in an accident in which the brakes failed, a Fayette County truck accident attorney can help you recover for your losses.
Several parties may be responsible for brake failure and some potentially liable parties include the following:
Brake Manufacturer—the manufacturer has a duty to ensure all brake parts are properly designed, assembled, and installed correctly and in accordance with federal guidelines. If a manufacturer fails to meet this duty, they may be held responsible for any resulting accidents.
Truck driver—There is a trend among truck drivers to disconnect the brakes on the front wheels and instead use downshifting to help the rear brakes stop the truck. Though this may save wear and tear on front brakes and tires, it may also cause brake failure and serious accidents.
Trucking company—If the trucking company does not regularly and properly inspect, maintain, and repair all parts of a brake system, failure may occur and accidents and injuries may result.
Contact a Fayette County truck accident lawyer for a free consultation
If you have been injured in an accident because the brakes on a commercial truck failed, proving liability in your case may be complicated, especially against the manufacturer. The experienced truck accident lawyers at Shane Smith Law know how to investigate accidents and prove negligent maintenance or manufacture in brake failure cases. Call our office today at (980) 246-2656 to set up a free initial consultation.