A fully loaded tractor-trailer may weigh as much as 80,000 pounds and this may increase to 95,000 pounds with the proper permit. In Mississippi, a commercial truck may haul a trailer that is 53 feet in length. What this all means is that the brakes on a commercial truck must be in good working condition to bring this vehicle to a stop in time to avoid a serious accident. When there are any problems with the brakes, the consequences may be deadly for other drivers and passengers on the road.
The impact forces when a commercial truck hits a passenger vehicle mean that the smaller vehicle bears the brunt of the damage. Brake failure leads to many such crashes every year. Although there are times when stopping in time is not possible based on the circumstances of the accident, driver or trucking company negligence often contributes to this type of collision.
There may be a defect in the braking system that could have been corrected if the vehicle were properly maintained and inspected before heading out on a Mississippi road. Some of these problems include:
- A torque imbalance in the brakes that causes the brakes to lock-up when applied forcefully;
- Crystallization of the hydraulic fluid or allowing the fluid to drop too low;
- Leaks in the fluid lines that are not repaired;
- System defects that lead to the depowering of the front brakes;
- Faulty valves and gauges;
- Poor brake pressure;
- Worn calipers and pads that should have been replaced;
- Excessive wear of the brake drums;
- Overheating of the entire braking system;
- Imbalance in the tires that causes an uneven application of the brakes;
- Tire wear that leads to a blowout, leading to the ineffective application of the brakes; or
- Other mechanical defects.
Although federal regulations require routine maintenance and repair of commercial motor carriers, many times these inspections and repairs take the truck off the road for a significant period of time, so trucking companies and drivers will take short-cuts that lead to brake failures.
In addition to mechanical defects that should have been found and corrected, braking failures may result from the following negligent actions:
- A trucking company may have been so eager to get a driver on the road that it failed to ensure that the driver had the training and skill to stop a specific type of truck;
- A distracted driver fails to observe circumstances that require the application of the brakes;
- ·A driver who was over-tired had slowed reaction times, leading to a delay in applying the brakes;
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol created a dangerous situation;
- Impossibly tight delivery schedules led to reckless or aggressive driving, including speeding; or
- An overloaded trailer exceeded the braking capacity of the tractor-trailer.
Many times, the negligent actions that led to a severe crash are a combination of a number of different factors, such as deterioration of the brakes combined with speeding and a trailer that exceeds weight limits. In addition to being unable to stop in time to avoid hitting another vehicle, braking problems may lead to a loss of control of the tractor-trailer or uneven application of the brakes, causing the truck to jackknife or rollover. These dangerous crashes lead to severe injuries or fatalities on the roads of Mississippi nearly every day.
A truck accident may lead to debilitating injuries and the need for long-term medical treatment. Many times, a person never will be able to get back to the quality of life that he enjoyed before the accident. The compassionate and hardworking Mississippi Truck Accident Attorneys at Barrett Law PLLC have the experience to get our clients the compensation that they deserve for the harm that was done to them. To schedule a free consultation at your convenience, call us at (800) 707-9577.