While there are many different factors that can lead to a devastating truck accident in New Jersey, brake failure is one of those possible factors. Knowing about some common issues may help drivers avoid truck accidents in the future.
What are the top brake problems truckers face?
In 2019, around 15% of all truck collisions were caused by problems with the trucks’ brakes. These collisions can potentially be avoided if truckers and trucking companies check the truck prior to hitting the road.
When a proper inspection is performed and drivers know what to look for, the truck can remain safer while on the road. The following are the most common brake problems that affect trucks:
- Imbalance: One of the most common issues involving a truck’s brakes is imbalance. If there’s an imbalance in the braking system, it might mean that the trucker has to use less or more force than the normal amount. This problem commonly leads to jackknifing.
- Overheating: If the brakes overheat, this can shorten the lifespan of the brakes and lead to a truck accident. The most common reason this issue occurs is due to poor braking while traveling down a hill.
- Faulty suspension: If the brake suspension system is incorrectly configured, it can lead to imbalance and increase the risk of an accident.
- Trailer overload: When a truck’s trailer is overloaded, it puts more strain on the brakes due to the burden of extra weight. The trucker may have to brake harder than usual, which can lead to brake failure.
- Hose chafing and kinking: Chafing and kinking of the brake’s tubes is a violation under the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance or CVSA. These violations can lead to brake failure and cause accidents.
- Lubrication: Brakes that aren’t properly lubricated in the winter can fail, increasing the risk of a crash.
Ongoing truck maintenance can prevent potential accidents
A big part of avoiding truck accidents involves proper, ongoing truck maintenance. Brake failure takes time to build up, which stresses the need to regularly check trucks and ensure that they’re running properly and safely. This can also prevent potential issues with Department of Transportation regulations. Trucking companies and drivers who fail to maintain their vehicles may be found liable if a brake problem causes an accident.
