We know that semi-trucks and commercial are the most dangerous vehicles on the road; mostly because of their size. Since they largely outweigh common passenger vehicles, the damage that they can cause can be devastating. Because of this, it is critical that they be in working order; whether it is lighting, steering mechanism and even engines.
But perhaps nothing is more important to bus and truck safety than proper braking systems. After all, if a large vehicle cannot stop or slow down when necessary, countless lives could be lost. This is why National Brake Safety Week was so important for commercial trucking and bus companies.
These entities have a continuing duty to make sure that their vehicles are in good working order. This means that their mechanical systems must work as they are expected; particularly their brakes. To meet this duty, bus and trucking companies must conduct regular mechanical and safety checks. And if they find abnormalities, they must take the vehicle out of service so that the proper repairs can be made.
If a company fails to adhere to this duty, and it was found that a repairable problem or defect was the cause of the crash, the offending company could be held liable.
Braking problems are particularly important to federal regulators, as these problems make up the majority of out of service violations reported. Consequently, it is not surprising that braking issues result in tragic accidents. If you have been involved in a trucking accident, an experienced personal injury attorney can advise you.