Trucks are much larger than other vehicles on the road, so braking works differently to effectively stop these massive vehicles. All newer trucks and trailers must come equipped with an anti-lock braking system (ABS) that prevents the truck’s wheels from locking up and skidding.
Unfortunately, if an ABS is poorly designed, manufactured, or maintained, the consequences can be dire. These systems can also require training to use properly, and accidents can also happen if a driver uses an improper braking technique.
If you or someone you love is hurt because of an issue with a truck’s ABS, you may be able to pursue a claim for compensation from the driver, the brake manufacturer, the trucking company, or those responsible for truck maintenance. You’ll need to understand the details of how the crash happened, though, as well as what rules were violated and who may be held accountable.
Marc Brown Law Firm can help. Our dedicated and experienced South Carolina truck accident lawyers have extensive experience with truck crashes caused by anti-lock braking system issues. To find out more about how we can put that experience to work in your fight for justice, give us a call or contact us online today.
What is a truck anti-lock braking system?
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard Number 121 establishes requirements for air-braked vehicles that have a gross weight rating of 10,000 pounds or more, as well as for tractors, semi-trailers, and single-unit trucks. These vehicles must have an anti-lock braking system included.
An ABS is an automated safety feature that prevents the wheels of the vehicle from locking up when a driver brakes hard. Without this system, hard braking could cause the vehicle to skid or spin, and could prevent the driver from being able to effectively steer.
How does an anti-lock braking system fail in a truck
Unfortunately, a truck’s anti-lock brake system could fail due to:
- Contamination or damage to the wheel speed sensors
- Broken wiring harnesses
- Corrosion of the hydraulic control units
- Damage to the hydraulic control units due to road debris or intense vibration
These failures could prevent accurate monitoring of wheel spin and could deactivate the system, putting others on the road at risk. Speak to a South Carolina accident attorney for more information.
Who is responsible for truck brake failure or problems with the anti-lock braking system?
Sometimes, the anti-lock brakes fail or malfunction due to driver error or bad luck, such as damage to the system because of road debris. In other cases, though, the ABS has problems because of improper design, manufacturing, installation, maintenance, or operation.
When negligence or a violation of a safety rule played a role in causing problems with the anti-lock brakes, those who are harmed as a direct result of the issue may have a legal claim against:
- The trucker
- The trucking company, based on vicarious liability laws or its own negligent policies
- Those responsible for truck maintenance
- Those responsible for manufacturing or installing the anti-lock brake system
Marc Brown Law Firm understands the technicalities of these systems and can help you to identify what went wrong and who should be held accountable for recovering compensation for your losses.
Contact a South Carolina truck accident lawyer with experience handling brake failure accidents
You may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and other economic and non-financial damages that occur because of problems with a truck’s anti-lock braking system or with how a driver operated it. To find out more about how our firm can help you, give us a call or contact us online today.