Defective Brakes Could Have Caused the Truck Crash that Caused Your Injuries

There is no doubt that truck crashes are tragic accidents that produce very serious catastrophic injuries. While many truck wrecks are caused by drowsy driving and distracted driving, other crashes are caused due to defective truck parts. Because large commercial trucks weigh a lot and have the capability of producing tragic outcomes in wrecks, it is critical that trucks are kept up and maintained in order to reduce the chances of causing a crash due to defective parts.

One common cause of a truck accident is the failure of truck’s brakes. When brakes fail on a large truck, it makes the truck difficult for the driver to control and maneuver. Unfortunately, a truck might barrel into the back of a car – causing a serious rear-end collision – or the truck might swerve or jackknife out of control and take out other cars in nearby lanes.

When a truck’s braking system malfunctions or has been neglected and that contributes to the crash, the trucking company, truck driver, or third party can be held responsible for any negligence that contributed to the collision.
Truckers and trucking companies should have processes in place that require the inspection of braking systems to ensure the safety of the rig on the road. When companies or drivers don’t do their jobs and conduct such inspections and necessary maintenance, innocent motorists sharing the road with large trucks can suffer unnecessarily.

What to Do After a Collision With a Large Truck

Although you might assume that the cause of the truck crash was due to brake failure or a defective, malfunctioning part, the truck driver is never going to tell you that. This is why it is essential that you take the necessary steps following a collision with a commercial truck.

• Call an attorney as soon as possible. You can make this call even from the scene of the crash, if you can do so. It is very important to have an accident attorney on your side immediately after a truck crash because the lawyer will know what to investigate, how to prove the trucking company was negligent in maintaining their truck, and will be able to preserve the information that has a way of getting destroyed. Trucks have what are known as electronic control modules, which operate like a black box. The data needs to be downloaded from the truck’s black box as soon as possible, which is what your attorney will do following the collision. The information stored on the black box can be instrumental in proving your case.

• Seek immediate medical attention. Injuries produced in trucking accidents are often severe injuries that need immediate care. For the sake of your own health and your potential personal injury claim, you should take a ride to the hospital in an ambulance and get a thorough medical examination. You may need surgery, physical therapy, time off work and more – all things you can collect damages for when pursuing a truck accident injury claim.

To learn about your legal rights and how to hold the wrongdoer accountable following a collision with a large truck, contact the Law Offices of David Benenfeld at 866-9 HELP NOW or 866-943-5766 to speak with a knowledgeable accident injury attorney in a free consultation today.