You cross paths with commercial trucks on El Paso highways every day and night. You may be picking up your kids from soccer or band practice, driving to work or meeting a friend for dinner when the brakes fail in one of these trucks and send it careening into you, causing property damage and often injuries. If you are dealing with the aftermath of an accident with an 18 wheeler, read on to learn about the dangers of brake failure and how a Carabin Shaw lawyer can protect you and fight for the compensation you deserve.
Brake Systems in Large TrucksYou may have never considered all the possible ways brake failure can cause El Paso 18 wheeler accidents. In a commercial truck that can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, the brake system is different than the brake system in your smaller, lighter passenger vehicle. The mechanism used to stop the truck is different, as are the maintenance requirements. The reason for using a different system has to do with the sheer size of large trucks like this. The larger and heavier a vehicle is, the more time it needs to come to a stop. A semi truck can take twice the distance to stop than a passenger vehicle needs. El Paso truck accident lawyers are experts at knowing what evidence to inspect to determine if brake failure was the cause of your accident.
MaintenanceBecause of their large size and different brake systems, commercial trucks have specific maintenance requirements. Brake failure in El Paso 18 wheeler accidents can cause catastrophic damage and even death, so it’s imperative that the brakes are fully functional. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations require that brakes in semi trucks have passed inspection within the preceding 12 months to clear operation on the road. However, many things can go wrong in one year and cause El Paso 18 wheeler accidents. If you think brake failure was the cause of your accident, be sure to contact an attorney as soon as possible to make sure evidence from the accident is preserved.
If the brakes weren’t inspected in the preceding year, the company that operates the truck could be held responsible for your accident and required to compensate you. If there was a reason to believe the brakes were not working correctly and the truck driver didn’t report this and have them inspected, the driver could be held responsible. A trucking attorney serving El Paso will know the right questions to ask to determine whether the driver or the company who operates the truck and employs the driver was responsible for the brake maintenance failure.
Manufacturer NegligenceSometimes the manufacturer of the commercial truck or its braking system is negligent and can be held responsible for your accident. El Paso truck accident lawyers will investigate the circumstances of the crash and the history of the brake inspections of the truck and may uncover evidence that the manufacturer didn’t install the braking system or one of its components correctly.
El Paso 18 wheeler accidents are stressful and overwhelming and may have you wondering, “Did brake failure cause my accident? Are there any semi truck accident lawyers near me who can help?” If you think brake failure caused your accident, remember that you are under no obligation to speak to the truck driver’s insurance company without your attorney. Because 18 wheelers are often owned and insured by large corporations, they have aggressive insurance agents who will try to get you to settle for less compensation than you’re entitled. A truck accident lawyer in El Paso can negotiate with aggressive agents on your behalf.
If you’ve been in a semi truck accident in El Paso, call a Carabin Shaw lawyer today at 915-779-2301 for a free consultation. You can also reach us toll-free at 1-800-862-1260. We’ll investigate brake failure and fight for the compensation you deserve.