Semi-trucks and other large commercial vehicles are essential to our economy, both in St. Louis and nationally. An estimated 17 million trucks are on the road at any given time, carrying everything from fresh produce to consumer goods to industrial components.
Properly working brakes are an essential safety feature on tractor-trailers, given the vehicles’ size and weight. Brake components including actuators, slack adjusters, linings, drums, pads, and rotors must be installed and maintained so they can reliably stop a large truck. Unfortunately, defective equipment contributes to many truck crashes. Brake failures are the most common type of equipment failure on large trucks. They were identified in 56 percent of tractor-trailers involved in crashes, according to the Insurance Information Institute. When the brakes fail on a semi, the results can be catastrophic for anyone in the path of the truck.
If you’ve been injured in an accident caused by truck brake failure, you need a St. Louis semi-truck accident lawyer to fight for the compensation you need to move forward with your life. Our experienced team at Craig, Kelley & Faultless, LLC includes two attorneys, Partners David Craig and Scott Faultless who are among a select group of lawyers who are Certified in Truck Accident Law by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. Our legal team genuinely cares about the injured people we serve. We can guide you through every step of the legal process, answer your questions and provide you with trusted guidance and peace of mind during this difficult time.
Contact our law firm today at (800) 746-0226 for a free consultation with an experienced semi brake failure attorney in St. Louis.
What Is Truck Brake Failure?
The maintenance of any vehicle is a critical factor in preventing accidents. It’s particularly important when it comes to semi-trucks. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) estimates that semi-trucks travel about 60,000 miles per year, putting a strain on their mechanical systems.
Truck brake systems require a lot of maintenance. When they don’t receive adequate inspection and service, they are subject to failure. Because of the heavy loads that tractor-trailers carry, they need more distance to stop safely. Brake failure can cause devastating truck accidents and severe injuries.
Why Do Truck Brakes Fail?
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), approximately 22 percent of traffic accidents result from brake failure. Compared to automobiles, tractor-trailers have much greater stopping distances, particularly on wet roads. Why do brakes fail?
Some of the common reasons for semi-truck brake failures include the following:
- Air brakes — Air brakes supply compressed air to truck brakes to keep them open. If the air brakes are overused, the air may be drained more quickly than the compressor can re-supply. If there is a failure in the air brake system, a lack of compressed air can cause the brakes to lock. Antilock brakes have been required on new truck tractors since 1997 and on new trailers since 1998. They improve a truck driver’s control of the vehicle during emergency braking.
- Incorrect air pressure — If the air-braking system is not properly pressurized, the brakes will not function as intended.
- Brakes overheating — Truck braking systems generate heat and are designed to withstand a lot of heat. But when trucks are loaded and heavy, brakes can fade from excessive heat caused by overuse of the brakes on downgrades. Inexperienced truck drivers who brake too frequently and don’t rely on engine braking when on long downgrades, risk overheating the brakes to the point of failure.
- Brake imbalance — A semi’s brakes can become imbalanced because of mismatched parts or errors in the control system. This can lead to different wheels slowing at different rates when the brakes are applied. This makes the truck more difficult to control, causing the vehicle to jackknife.
- Brake timing problems — Every brake must be engaged simultaneously to reduce speed evenly across all wheels. The effects of a mechanical or electrical problem causing the wheels to slow at uneven rates can result in problems similar to imbalanced brakes.
- Overloaded trailers — Semi-trucks are designed to transport certain amounts of weight based on the type and size of the trailer being hauled. Since larger loads often mean more money, trucking companies may be inclined to exceed load limits. This leads to greater braking distances and puts added strain on the braking system.
- Defective parts — Any problems with the design or manufacture of the braking system parts can lead to sudden malfunction in an emergency, potentially causing a collision.
Common Injuries Caused by Truck Brake Failure
Catastrophic personal injuries commonly associated with semi-truck brake failure include:
- Concussions
- Spinal cord injuries
- Neck and back injuries
- Burn injuries
- Broken and fractured bones
- Loss of limbs
- Internal injuries
- Bruising, scarring, and disfigurement
- Wrongful death
The symptoms associated with certain injuries may take time to manifest themselves. It’s essential that you seek medical attention as soon as possible after a collision with a semi-truck or other large commercial vehicle.
Who Is Liable for a Semi-Truck Brake Failure?
Truck accidents can be more complex than other traffic collisions because of how many parties can potentially be financially liable. Some of those who may be legally liable for a truck accident include:
- The truck driver
- The trucking company
- The truck’s owner
- The truck’s manufacturer
- The brake manufacturer
- The crew that loaded the trailer
Regulations Regarding Brake Maintenance
According to the FMCSA’s inspection guidelines, commercial vehicles are subject to regular inspection, repair, and maintenance to ensure their safe operation.
The FMCSA also dictates that semi-trucks must:
- Undergo brake evaluations by a qualified brake inspector
- Have truck parts and accessories in proper working order
- Keep a record of the inspections at least once per year
Proving Negligence and Fault in a St. Louis Truck Accident Due to Brake Failure
The FMCSA requires that all semi-trucks have working brakes to stop safely. If you were injured in an accident because a semi truck’s brakes failed, our attorneys at Craig, Kelley & Faultless can conduct an investigation and identify the cause. Our law firm has the resources to conduct a detailed mechanical investigation when brake failure is suspected as a contributing factor. Once we have determined how the crash occurred, we can hold the at-fault party legally liable for your medical expenses and related losses.
Filing a Semi Brake Failure Lawsuit
If you’ve been injured in an accident resulting from brake failure, you may have the legal right to seek compensation for a variety of losses, including:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Diminished earning potential
- Loss of quality of life
- Property damage
An important thing to understand is that Missouri’s statute of limitations on personal injury claims requires that you file a lawsuit within five years of the date you were injured. Evidence deteriorates over time so it is important to enlist the help of a personal injury attorney right away. If you wait too long to file a lawsuit, you risk having your case dismissed by the court as untimely and losing the chance to recover the money and justice you’re owed.
Let Us Fight for You
Our team of truck accident attorneys at Craig, Kelley & Faultless LLC is ready to:
- Review the details of your injury during a free consultation
- Discuss your legal rights and options
- Investigate the accident thoroughly
- Communicate with accident specialists to reconstruct the event and support your claim
- Communicate with the insurance companies on your behalf
- Negotiate with the insurance company for the maximum settlement possible in your case
- File a lawsuit and take your case to court if the insurance company won’t make a fair settlement offer
Our law firm was named to the U.S. News – Best Lawyers® list for 2021 and has also been recognized with numerous individual and firm honors including:
- 2014 and 2015 Litigator Award
- 10 Best Law Firms of 2015 by the American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys
- Martindale-Hubbell® AV Preeminent® Rating
- 10.0 Superb Rating on Avvo
- Million Dollar Advocates Forum®
- Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum®
Contact Our St. Louis Truck Accident Attorneys
The Missouri truck accident lawyers at Craig, Kelley & Faultless LLC are ready to help you demand justice and full compensation for your injuries and related expenses. Truck companies and their insurers want to pay out as little as they can. They’ll do everything to minimize your claim, reduce your settlement, or beat you in court. It’s important to have experienced truck accident attorneys who have tried truck accident cases to verdict, when necessary and who are dedicated to seeking justice for you. Contact our St. Louis law firm as soon as possible after a truck accident. Contact us today for a free consultation.
