New Jersey drivers could be at risk of an accident involving a large truck with faulty brakes. According to the U.S Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, there is a link between brake violations and crashes. A study found that trucks involved in a motor vehicle accident in which the truck’s ability to brake was a cause had a 50 percent higher likelihood of a brake violation than trucks in crashes where braking was not a critical factor. Furthermore, almost 46 percent of trucks in accidents where braking was a factor had brake violations versus around 30 percent of trucks in accidents in which the brakes were not a factor.
The importance of brake safety will be highlighted during Brake Safety Week. This initiative, sponsored by the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance, will run from September 16 to 22 in the United States and Canada.
Most of the inspections that occur will include checking for loose or missing parts on brake system components, inspecting warning devices for brake systems and looking for wear on drums, pads, rotors and linings. The FMCSA study found brake problems with nearly one-third of trucks that had pre-crash violations. In 2017, the International Roadcheck found that among out-of-service violations, the largest percentage was brake related.
If a person is injured in an accident involving a large truck in which the maintenance of that truck was negligent, the person may be entitled to compensation. Depending on the circumstances, the driver, the trucking company, the manufacturer of the faulty part or another entity could be responsible. Compensation in these types of cases can be important for a person who is dealing with mounting medical expenses and a potentially lengthy recovery period. The person could be unable to work during that time, so lost wages might also be a significant hardship.