Denton County Truck Brake Failure Accident Attorneys

Legal Representation After a Denton County Truck Brake Failure Accident

A fully loaded big rig truck weighs up to 80,000 pounds. That’s why trucks cause catastrophic injuries when they collide with passenger cars, SUVs, motorcycles, bicycles, and pedestrians. It’s essential for trucking companies to only hire qualified drivers and make sure all their trucks are safe.

Under the best circumstance, a well-maintained truck with good brakes takes about one third longer to stop than a regular passenger vehicle. But if the truck’s brakes aren’t working properly, it could take a lot longer.

There are a lot of trucking companies that skimp on safety just to save a few bucks. This can have devastating consequences for you and your loved ones.

If you were seriously harmed in an accident caused by a faulty big rig brakes in Denton County, contact The Lenahan Law Firm. We offer a FREE case evaluation.

Call (214) 295-1008 to learn more today.

What Causes Truck Brakes to Fail?

Every accident caused by truck brake failure could have been prevented. Somebody was either too lazy to do their job right, or they were trying to cut costs by risking the lives of others.

The most frequent causes of brake failure in trucks include:

• Neglected maintenance. Because trucks cause so much damage when they crash into other vehicles, trucking is a highly regulated industry. Texas State Law and federal regulations require trucks to be regularly inspected and repaired. When these rules are ignored, people get hurt.
• Brake imbalance. Regular inspections and maintenance will reveal if the truck’s brakes aren’t being activated equally for all wheels. When brakes get out of balance, it causes skidding, overheating, and failure.
• Inexperienced drivers are much more likely to ride their brakes when traveling downhill instead of shifting gears to slow down and applying brakes gradually. This causes brake shoes and drums to become overheated and expand, and then they won’t create enough friction to stop the truck properly.
• Overloaded trailers cause trucks to exceed legal weight limits. In addition to making trucks unstable, this also increases stopping distance and puts a greater burden on the braking system.
• Speeding increases the overall strain on truck brakes and it also reduces the amount of time the driver has to react to a stoppage in traffic, making it more likely that they will slam on the brakes in an emergency. This can lead to brake failure as well as jackknifing accidents.

Investigating a Truck Crash

If the trucking company broke the law by neglecting to perform regular maintenance on the truck that hit you, they may try to get rid of the evidence. That’s why your Denton County truck accident attorney needs to act quickly.

At The Lenahan Law Firm, we’ll present the other side with a spoilation letter that requires them to preserve all evidence. Then we’ll inspect the truck to find out what conditions its brakes were in. We’ll also investigate the accident scene, examining skid marks and vehicle damage to determine how fast the truck was going when it hit you.

Our investigation will include a thorough review of the following:

• Police reports
• Witness interviews
• The Event Data Recorder (a truck’s “Black Box”)
• A computer-generated accident scene re-creation
• Surveillance video
• Expert testimony

Determining Liability After a Truck Accident

You don’t have to take the first offer you get from the insurance company. In fact, it’s probably going to be woefully inadequate to cover your expenses. And multiple parties may share responsibility for your injuries.

After we complete our investigation, we’ll file a claim against anyone whose negligence contributed to your injuries. This may include:

• Truck drivers
• Truck company owners and managers
• Third parties responsible for loading the truck
• Mechanics who worked on the truck
• Manufacturers of faulty equipment

Damages Available in Denton County

After a truck accident caused by brake failure in Denton County, you may not be able to return to work for a while, and your medical bills and other expenses will start piling up. Many types of injuries caused by a truck accident can stop you from resuming your regular activities. And injuries such as whiplash, traumatic brain injury, and paralysis could totally disrupt your life and prevent you from ever going back to work.

A claim filed by your personal injury attorney after a collision caused by faulty truck brakes will include these types of expenses:

• Current and future medical expenses
• Reduced earning capacity
• Lost income
• Pain and suffering
• Disfigurement
• Rehabilitation
• Physical therapy
• Assisted living care
• Wheelchair access for your home
• Wrongful death

A Winning Team That Fights for You

You have two years to file a claim after a truck crash in Texas, but it’s important to start investigating the accident as soon as possible.

The experienced trial attorneys at The Lenahan Law Firm have won millions of dollars in settlements for our clients. Super Lawyers has recognized us for providing clients with outstanding service and we have a perfect 10.0 Avvo rating.

To learn more, call (214) 295-1008 today.