What You Should Know About A Trucking Accident Caused By Brake Failure

If you experience brake failure and that caused an accident of your work truck, you won't have another driver to blame for the accident. Here is information about this type of liability and who to get involved in the lawsuit if it comes to it.

There May be a Combination of People to Blame

You might have a combination of people or situations to blame if you have an accident due to brake failure. For example, the manufacturer of the brakes might be responsible if they are brand new brakes that failed due to manufacturing issues. You could also hold the brake repair shop responsible if they did not put them on correctly. Even the company that helped to load your truck could be responsible if the extra weight led to more wear and tear on the brakes, which then led to the accident.

When the Manufacturer is Liable

Many cases where brake failure led to a truck accident will be the fault of the brake's manufacturer. When manufacturing brakes, the parts must be able to handle braking force depending on the vehicle's weight, be able to decelerate from a decent speed, and meet the automatic brake adjustment system requirements. If you get into a trucking accident due to brake failure, you should first have the brakes inspected. If the mechanic determines that these brakes were of low quality and the way they were built caused the accident, the manufacturer can be held responsible.

Holding the Mechanic Responsible

If you had recently had new brakes put in your truck which you believe led to the accident, you should first go to a new mechanic to have them looked at. Find someone who is an expert at inspecting and installing brakes. If the brake failure was due to incorrect repairs or installation of the brakes, they should be able to tell you. If this is the case, you might be able to hold the previous brake mechanic responsible for the accident.

Suing Your Employer

If you work for a trucking company, your employer is responsible for regular maintenance and repairs of the truck you drive. If they failed to keep up with regular maintenance and that led to the brake failure, they can be held responsible for your injuries. The employer or their mechanic must check brakes regularly, ensuring the brake shoes are functioning properly, no mechanical components are worn and broken, and that they are listening for air leaks in the brake chamber.

Contact a lawyer though a website like http://www.strohllaw.com/ regardless of who you believe is at fault for the brake failure. This can help you sue for damages and personal injuries.