The results of the 2018 Brake Safety Week are out, so truckers and their employers in Texas will want to know how it went. Inspectors certified by the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance pulled over a total of 35,080 commercial vehicles in the U.S. and Canada to check for compliance with brake safety rules, putting 4,955 or 14.1 percent out of service for violations.
The 2018 Brake Safety Week took place from Sept. 16 to 22 while the previous year saw only a one-day event. Despite the fewer number of trucks that were inspected, the percentage of those put out of service during Brake Safety Day was almost the same: 14 percent. Brakes violations made up 28.4 percent of the out-of-service violations during the CVSA’s 2018 International Roadcheck, the most frequently cited violation.
Brake Safety Week focused on vehicles that require antilock braking systems and on how well maintained they were. Just over 8 percent of air-braked power units that require ABS were found with ABS violations. Another 12.5 percent of trailers and 4.4 percent of hydraulic-braked trucks were similarly put out of service for violating ABS standards.
Failing to maintain truck parts can raise the risk for trucking accidents. Faulty brakes in particular will increase stopping distance and make rear-end accidents more likely. Victims who live through a truck collision may be able to file an accident claim once they reach maximum medical improvement. The might want a lawyer by their side to handle this complicated process.
A lawyer might hire third-party investigators to obtain the police report and any other proof of negligence, such as truck maintenance records. Medical experts may measure the extent of the injuries. The lawyer may then be able to negotiate for a reasonable settlement with the trucking company.
