Truck Accidents Caused by Defective Brakes
When driving on Pasadena roads, motorists count on their brakes to respond quickly in emergencies. While braking systems are vital in every vehicle, they are especially critical in large commercial trucks.
When truck brakes fail because of manufacturer defects, the responsible parties should be held accountable for the harm they cause. However, that can be challenging for accident victims without the help of an experienced California truck accident lawyer.
Truck brake failure can cause catastrophic injuries to other drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists alike. Many of these crashes occur at intersections or in traffic, where the truck rear-ends stopped or slowing vehicles. This scenario can result in chain-reaction collisions, injuring numerous innocent people.
Did you or a loved one suffer injuries in a tractor-trailer collision caused by faulty truck brakes? You could be entitled to financial compensation for your losses. Contact the Law Offices of Pius Joseph for a free consultation with an experienced Pasadena defective truck brake accident lawyer.
For over 30 years, Attorney Pius Joseph has successfully represented injury victims in California truck accident claims, including a $2 million jury verdict on behalf of a client harmed in a multi-vehicle truck accident. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes, but they do speak to the dedication, skill, and preparation that our law firm puts into every case. Call or contact us now to get started.
How Defective Brakes Cause Truck Accidents
Due to the size and weight of commercial trucks, their braking systems must be in top working condition at all times. Trucks need more time to stop than the average car under perfect conditions. When brakes malfunction, the necessary stopping distance dramatically increases, especially if the truck is traveling at high speed. Defective brakes that fail completely can lead to runaway truck crashes. If a truck’s brakes function unevenly, it can lead to dangerous rollover or jackknife accidents, potentially involving other vehicles and causing serious injuries.
Some of the leading causes of large truck brake failures are:
- Worn brake pads
- Leaking brake fluid
- Malfunctioning air brake systems
- Improper brake installation
- Inadequate brake maintenance
- Overheating caused by overuse
On Pasadena’s congested roads, commercial motor vehicles must be equipped with functional components that allow them to stop in time to avoid hazards like road construction, stopped traffic, and pedestrians. On the steep mountain passes surrounding Pasadena, effective brakes are vital for preventing truck drivers from losing control of their vehicles and barreling down the side of a mountain and causing a crash.
Determining Liability for a Brake Failure Truck Crash in Pasadena
Most defective brake semi-truck accidents in Pasadena are preventable. For this reason, it is essential to identify the parties whose negligence leads to these tragic incidents.
Unlike typical car accidents, multiple parties could be held liable for the truck accident that injured you. Some of the parties that could be liable in your case include:
- Brake manufacturers – Brakes are sometimes defective from the moment they leave the manufacturer. Brake design or manufacturing defects fall under product liability claims, meaning evidence of the defect itself is all that’s needed to prove liability.
- Brake suppliers – If a truck part retailer knowingly sells a defective brake system, it could be liable for any resulting truck crash. This may be the case if the manufacturer recalled the brake system, but the supplier sold it anyway.
- Truck drivers – Commercial truck drivers must report brake problems and conduct routine inspections to identify and fix any brake issues. A brake failure may also result from the driver being too aggressive on their brakes.
- Trucking companies – If a truck company rather than the driver owns the truck, the company is responsible for ensuring the truck has undergone proper maintenance.
- Maintenance providers – When a truck goes in for routine maintenance or due to a known brake issue, the third-party service provider is responsible for fixing the problem and preventing the rig from leaving their care until it’s fixed.
An experienced personal injury attorney can help determine liability for your commercial truck brake failure injury claim in Pasadena.
What to Do If You Were Injured in a Pasadena Truck Accident
Understanding what to do after a truck accident is vital to protect your right to compensation. After a crash, you should:
- Decline to speak to the at-fault party’s insurance company until you have consulted a Pasadena truck accident lawyer. An attorney with experience handling complex personal injury claims can handle all insurance talks, including settlement negotiations.
- Follow your doctor’s orders until you fully recover or reach maximum medical improvement (MMI). MMI is the point at which further treatment isn’t expected to result in additional recovery. Once you’ve fully recovered or reached MMI, it will be easier for your lawyer to estimate your future medical expenses.
- Avoid discussing the truck accident on social media. In defective brake cases, you may be going up against big businesses with deep pockets to pay their defense lawyers. Any posts you make about the collision could unintentionally harm your truck accident case.
Filing a Truck Brake Malfunction Lawsuit in Pasadena
California law gives you two years from the date of the accident to file a truck brake malfunction lawsuit in Pasadena. Missing this deadline could result in the courts dismissing your case without a hearing, which would prevent you from seeking compensation through the courts.
Through your lawsuit, you can seek compensation for the following losses related to the truck accident:
- Past and future medical bills
- Lost wages
- Loss of future earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Permanent disability
Why You Need a Pasadena Truck Crash Attorney
Hiring a Pasadena truck accident attorney to handle your case is vital because the truck driver and trucking company will have their own lawyers. Without a personal injury lawyer on your side, you will be navigating a complex legal landscape alone. An experienced Pasadena truck accident attorney will know the types of evidence necessary to support your case effectively. Because these cases often involve knowledge of federal and state regulations, a lawyer is better suited to identify where violations occurred and who should be held responsible.
In addition, your lawyer can handle all the procedural formalities that accompany California personal injury cases so you can rest and recover. Your lawyer will have experience in managing settlement negotiations with insurance representatives and presenting personal injury cases at trial. By working with an attorney, you can feel confident that your case is in good hands as the legal process continues.
Contact a Pasadena Truck Accident Lawyer Today
There’s no excuse for a truck to have faulty brakes. If you suffered injuries in a commercial truck accident caused by a brake defect, you deserve legal representation in the fight for maximum compensation. Let the Law Offices of Pius Joseph help you hold the at-fault party(s) accountable for their negligence. Contact us today for a free consultation with a proven California truck accident lawyer.
