One of the most critical things trucking companies can do to help prevent serious truck accidents is to ensure trucks are in good working order and that any needed repairs are made promptly. But trucking companies don’t always meet this responsibility.
That’s why inspectors in Texas and throughout North America will soon be looking closely at one of the most essential components of trucks, buses, and other commercial vehicles – the brake system.
The announced and unannounced inspections will be conducted from August 21 to August 27 as part of the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s (CVSA) Brake Safety Week.
Trucks with faulty brake systems are a danger on the road.
Tractor-trailers often travel on highways at high speeds. As a result, they need a lot of distance – about the length of two football fields – to come to a complete stop. When fully loaded, a tractor-trailer can weigh as much as 80,000 pounds. So having fully functional brakes is crucial in helping to prevent an accident that can leave people seriously injured or killed.
Inspectors will pay special attention to brake hosing and tubing during this year’s event. There are four categories of violations:
- Category 1 – The brake hose is worn and extends into outer protective material.
- Category 2 – Wear has extended through outer protective material and into the outer rubber cover.
- Category 3 – The reinforcement ply is visible, but the ply is intact.
- Category 4 – The reinforcement ply is frayed, severed, or cut.
Only category 4 is an out-of-service violation.
During an unannounced one-day inspection on April 27, inspectors discovered 1,534 brake hose/tubing violations after conducting 9,132 inspections.
Brake Safety Week is part of “Operation Airbrake,” a program intended to improve commercial brake safety and conducted by the CVSA, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), the Canadian Council of Motor Transport Administrators, and Mexico’s National Guard and Ministry of Communications and Transportation.
An experienced truck accident lawyer can fight for you.
In 2021, there were 38,149 crashes in Texas involving trucks and other commercial motor vehicles, resulting in 1,708 suspected severe injuries and 705 fatalities.
FMCSA regulations require trucking companies to “systematically inspect, repair, and maintain” the trucks in their fleet. A truck with a faulty brake system is a danger on the road. The driver is often unable to stop in time to prevent a collision. Victims are left with severe injuries that are sometimes fatal.
At Tracey Fox King & Walters, our legal team investigates truck accidents to get the facts. We take legal action to gain access to trucking company records. This includes access to maintenance records so we can determine whether the company knew of a problem with a truck’s brakes and failed to fix it.
Our attorneys know the impact that injuries from a truck accident can have on victims and their families. We build strong cases built on facts and fight to hold negligent parties accountable. Our firm is committed to helping clients recover the financial compensation they deserve.
If you were hurt in a truck accident in Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, or anywhere in Texas, we can help. Contact us to schedule a free consultation.