Brake Violations a Major Risk for Most Commercial Trucks
Truck accidents often occur because of negligence. After an accident, it’s common to immediately think that the truck driver was the one to blame. They may have been driving while distracted, fatigued, or were disobeying the rules of the road. However, the truck driver isn’t always the one at fault. The trucking company could have acted negligently. If you’ve been injured in an accident involving a truck, an injury lawyer from Golden Law Office can represent you and get you the compensation you deserve.
We understand how nerve-wracking it can be to go up against a large trucking company. We won’t be intimidated and will do everything we can to get you a favorable settlement. Trucking companies need to know that their responsibility to keep their vehicles safe is something they need to take seriously.
Brake Safety Violations
The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) has shared data regarding their brake safety enforcement event, which is unannounced. Their findings for 2018 were troubling, and everyone who drives on highways with commercial vehicles should be aware of their report.
The CVSA looked at around 11,000 large trucks and buses. They tested the brake systems to find which were underperforming or completely nonfunctioning. They also looked for any violations with the vehicles’ antilock braking systems. Of these 11,000, they found that 14 percent needed to be put out of service because of their safety violations.
This is the highest it’s been since the CVSA started this event, called Brake Safety Day. Since the numbers have not improved, it shows that negligence in the trucking industry continues to grow. They aren’t taking safety measures to ensure their vehicles are road ready. They’re risking the lives of their drivers and everyone else on the road with them. In addition to failing to maintain the brakes, trucking companies should also train their drivers to know about brake problems when they’re inspecting the truck before a trip.
When a truck is taken out of service, it means that its brakes are 20 percent defective. But these standards are not difficult to adhere to. Trucking companies can do the bare minimum and keep their vehicles on the road. All they need to do is follow regulations and do what they’re supposed to do, which is check the brakes and make sure they’re road ready.
It seems to be the norm for trucking companies to not ensure their vehicles are safe for the road. They’re putting dangerous vehicles that will not brake properly on highways, which could cause significant harm to people in an accident. With more data gathered from organizations like the CVSA, it can be brought to light how reckless these companies are being and that they’re willing to put lives at risk.
The Dangers of Large Truck Crashes
When large trucks are transporting goods, they’re a considerable force on the road. Drivers need dependable and powerful brakes so they can safely drive the vehicle. If a heavy truck is traveling quickly and the truck driver needs to slow down or stop but the brakes aren’t working, they could cause a devastating crash.
In addition to the CVSA’s evidence, there’s also other physical evidence that large truck brakes aren’t performing at the level that they should be. There are crash investigators who have seen accident scenes involving a large vehicle like an 18-wheeler, but they do not see 18 skid marks from the tires when they were supposed to lock up from the brakes.
You Need Reliable Representation
When a trucking company harms you, it’s imperative for you to get representation that you can trust. The lawyers from Golden Law Office have helped those injured in Kentucky. We understand how you may want to just put the matter behind you, but you should hold the trucking company accountable for their actions.
Settling early may resolve the matter more quickly, but it also means you may get less compensation than you deserve. Since truck accident injuries tend to be severe, you deserve everything that you’re owed so you can afford your medical care and everyday expenses.
Your claim will also show the trucking company that they cannot continue to put dangerous vehicles on the road. The last thing they would want is another, or multiple, lawsuits. When you stand up for yourself, you may spark change in the company so this doesn’t happen to another person. Give our office a call today and we can set up a consultation for your case.
Golden Law is a local, Kentucky Law Firm, attorneys/lawyers in Fayette County, Kentucky, working in the fields of personal injury, auto accidents, car and truck wrecks; medical malpractice: doctors, hospitals & nursing homes; senior living abuse: neglect, physical abuse, emotional abuse, dehydration, bedsores, catastrophic injuries, and broken bones. If you are considering a lawsuit, call us at 859.469.5000 for a free consultation. We are located at 771 Corporate Dr. Suite 800/ Lexington, Kentucky 40503. We handle cases all over the Commonwealth of Kentucky. We have represented and trained people in major insurance companies & major trucking companies. We have first hand experience and know the ‘inside of the insurance business’ … that’s a distinction that no other law firm can make. We’re Your Advocate. Dale Golden, Laraclay Parker.
