Atlanta Truck Brake Failure Accident Attorney

When we make our way onto Georgia’s busy highways, it’s mostly with the understanding that the vehicles that share the roads – especially commercial vehicles – have had proper maintenance and are fit to drive. Unfortunately, that’s not always the case. Trucking wrecks are often the result of mechanical failure. The U.S. Department of Transportation conducted a recent study that found nearly 30% of all large truck collisions involved a brake-related issue, either due to failure or lack of proper adjustment.

Who is to Blame for Faulty Brakes?

After an accident with a truck, there are a few parties who may be responsible. If a truck’s brakes malfunction, those who might be liable include:

• The truck’s driver.
• The company who loaded the truck.
• The employer responsible for maintaining a truck’s brakes.
• The manufacturer of the brakes themselves.

Why would any of these parties be responsible for your injuries? Here are some possible scenarios.

• Brake Manufacturers
• The federal government sets and enforces strict standards when it comes to the safety and efficacy of large truck brake systems. Each truck must:
  • Meet a certain braking threshold, based on a set percentage of a truck’s weight.
  • Come to a stop from 20 miles per hour at a rate relative to its size.
  • Adhere to requirements pertaining to the automatic brake adjustment system.

If a truck’s brakes don’t adhere to these standards, they may be faulty. If that fault caused an accident, you may have legal grounds for a claim against the manufacturer. Manufacturer claims come in a couple of forms: inherent flaws in design or a defect occurring during the manufacturing process.

Trucking Companies and Their Drivers

In other instances, action (or inaction) on the part of a driver or the company who employs them plays a role in brake failure. For example:

• A driver might intentionally unhook or depower the front brakes to minimize the expenses of brake and tire wear and replacement.
• A driver or trucking company may fail to properly maintain brakes or keep maintenance records in accordance with federal law. For example, federal regulations require a truck driver to complete pre-road inspections of the brakes before each shift.
• A loading team must evenly distribute the weight of a truck’s load. Failure to do so may cause brakes to overheat or malfunction, leading to an accident.
  The ability to stop safely and effectively is essential for all truck drivers. Properly maintained brakes allow drivers to react appropriately to other motorists and changes in road conditions. If a truck’s brakes are faulty or fail due to improper maintenance or intentional tampering, the result can be catastrophic.

People in Georgia incur injury as the result of truck accidents every day. After you receive medical care from a collision with a commercial vehicle, contact an attorney with experience investigating truck crashes. You may not be able to evaluate what went wrong and caused the accident, but our team can. The Georgia truck accident lawyers at Butler Prather LLP have decades of experience filing personal injury and wrongful death claims following truck crashes.

Schedule Your Free Case Evaluation

Victims of trucking collisions often wonder how they’ll pay for their medical bills, compensate for lost wages, and regain their financial security. We offer help to victims of trucking accidents when they feel they’ve run out of options. Brake failures often lead to serious accidents, and you will need an experienced attorney by your side throughout this difficult time.

Your truck accident claim begins with a free initial consultation. Let one of our Atlanta truck accident attorneys review the specifics of your case and help you determine you next steps. To take advantage of our contingency-fee legal services, fill out our online form or call us at (800) 242-2962 to schedule your case review.