Semi Truck Defects & Brake Failure

At The Krist Law Firm, P.C., we understand how terrifying a truck accident can be and if your crash was caused by defective equipment, we can help hold the responsible party liable

There are many possible causes of truck accidents. Among them are instances where a defect in the way a truck was designed or manufactured may result in a crash. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), serious defects not only make a truck unsafe, they can significantly increase the chances of being involved in a crash.

When a truck accident is caused by defective equipment, the company that designed or built the truck may be held liable for any resulting injuries. Under product liability law, people who are injured by a defective product may be able to recover compensation from the person or company responsible for the defect.

At The Krist Law Firm, P.C., our Houston truck accident lawyers have decades of experience holding truck drivers, trucking companies, and other responsible parties accountable for the injuries they cause. We will thoroughly investigate your accident to pinpoint the cause of the accident and fight for the compensation you deserve.

Call us today at 281-283-8500 to find out how we can help you.

What is a Design Defect?

Large trucks are complex vehicles with a broad range of mechanical components, equipment systems, and safety technologies. In the case of a design defect, there is a flaw or error in the way that a truck is designed to be made that renders a truck inherently dangerous even if it is properly manufactured.

What is a Manufacturing Defect?

A manufacturing defect arises from errors during the production phase such as the use of substandard materials in braking systems. This kind of defect usually occurs because of a deviation in design specifications and results in the product being dangerous when it is used in the way intended.

Semi-Truck Brake Failure

As perhaps the most essential safety feature on any vehicle, due to their sheer size, speed, and potential to cause devastation in a collision, it is critical to have properly functioning braking systems on any commercial or semi-truck. According to the Department of Transportation, nearly 30 percent of all large trucking accidents involve brake failure, inadequate alignment, or other brake system issues.

While truck drivers, owners, and the companies who maintain these large vehicles are typically responsible for the brakes’ safe and effective operation, brake system manufacturers can also be held liable if their design or production methods cause a failure and a truck accident occurs. There are strict regulations centered around manufacturing these vital safety systems and if negligence led to a semi-truck brake failure and you suffered serious injuries in a collision, it is important to find those responsible and hold them accountable.

Other Common Types of Truck Defects

Unfortunately, other tyoes of manufacturing and design defects are not uncommon. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is the agency responsible for establishing safety standards for all types of motor vehicles and issuing recalls when motor vehicle equipment does not comply with federal regulations or has a safety-related defect. Every year the NHTSA issues hundreds of warnings and recalls for unsafe vehicles.

Under the United States Code for Motor Vehicle Safety, a defect includes “any defect in performance, construction, a component, or material of a motor vehicle or motor vehicle equipment.” Design or manufacturing defects in commercial trucks frequently involve the following components:

• Tires
• Steering
• Suspension systems
• Wheels
• Lighting system (headlights, taillights, brake lights), signals, and monitoring systems
• Fuel system

Federal Safety Standards

When the design or manufacturing of a truck fails to meet minimum safety standards, it can result in serious accidents and devastating injuries. Brakes and tires are the most critical components when it comes to the safe operation of a vehicle, but that is particularly true for semi-trucks, 18-wheelers, and tractor-trailers. In fact, brake and tire defects are two of the most common types of vehicle-related factors in large truck crashes, according to the IIHS.

The federal government has developed extensive safety standards for large commercial trucks. For example, heavy truck tractors must be equipped with air brake systems that can meet strict stopping distance performance standards. As of 2013, the maximum stopping distance for large truck tractors is 250 feet, which is expected to save 227 lives and prevent 300 serious injuries annually. When semi-trucks are designed or manufactured in such a way that they cannot meet safety standards, they may have a defect.

How We Can Help with Truck Accidents Involving Defective Equipment/h3>

The Houston truck accident lawyers at The Krist Law Firm, P.C. have more than four decades of experience representing people who have sustained serious injuries because of dangerous or defective trucks. Our skilled team of attorneys has been at the forefront of certain types of lawsuits involving defective automobiles and we know what it takes to build a case designed to obtain the maximum compensation possible for your injuries.

Contact the knowledgeable Houston truck accident attorneys at The Krist Law Firm, P.C. today at 281-283-8500 to find out how we can help. We offer a free consultation and there are no fees unless you recover compensation.