Brake Failure Truck Accident Attorneys

The Shocking Truth About Brake Failures in Commercial Trucks

You’re cruising down the highway, minding your own business, when suddenly, a massive semi-truck barrels toward you. The driver slams the brakes—but nothing happens. The truck doesn’t slow down. It doesn’t stop. The brakes have failed.

Truck brake failures are more common than you think, and the consequences can be catastrophic. A personal injury attorney at Horn Wright, LLP, can help you understand your legal options and fight for the compensation you deserve. But here’s the thing—most of these accidents could’ve been prevented. The question is, why do they happen? Let’s break it down.

• Poor Maintenance – Trucking companies are legally required to inspect and repair their vehicles. But some cut corners, letting essential brake components wear out.
• Overloaded Cargo – More weight means more pressure on the brakes. Push them too hard, and they’ll give out at the worst possible moment.
• Defective Parts – Some brakes are faulty right out of the factory, putting everyone on the road at risk.
• Extreme Conditions – Long downhill drives (think the Catskills or Adirondacks) can overheat brakes, making them fail just when drivers need them most.

Who’s to Blame When a Truck’s Brakes Fail?

Finding out who’s responsible for a truck accident isn’t always straightforward. Multiple parties could be at fault, including:

The Truck Driver. Did they ignore warning signs? Skip a pre-trip inspection? If so, they could be liable.

The Trucking Company. Some companies push drivers to the limit, prioritizing profits over safety and neglecting critical maintenance.

The Brake Manufacturer. If the brakes were defective, the manufacturer might be held accountable.

A Third-Party Maintenance Provider. Many trucking companies outsource repairs. If the mechanic failed to do the job right, they could share the blame.

No matter who’s responsible, one thing’s certain—you shouldn’t have to pay for someone else’s mistakes. A skilled personal injury attorney will work to hold negligent parties accountable and help you recover what you’ve lost.

New York Laws Protect Truck Accident Victims—Here’s How

New York has some of the toughest trucking regulations in the country. The state follows a comparative negligence rule, meaning even if you were partially at fault, you can still recover damages—though your compensation gets reduced by your percentage of responsibility.

On top of that, federal trucking laws set by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration require regular brake inspections, strict weight limits, and detailed maintenance logs. If a trucking company or driver ignored these rules, it could make your case even stronger.

Don’t Wait—There’s a Deadline to File Your Claim

In New York, you’ve got three years from the accident date to file a truck collision injury claim. If you lost a loved one in a crash, the window is even shorter—just two years for a wrongful death case.

Miss the deadline, and you lose your right to compensation. That’s why speaking with a personal injury attorney as soon as possible is crucial to protecting your case. Don’t let that happen.

The Hidden Dangers of Poor Truck Maintenance

Trucking companies should do everything they can to keep their vehicles safe. But some are more interested in cutting costs than saving lives. Delayed maintenance, skipped inspections, and ignored brake warnings—it all adds up to a disaster waiting to happen.

If a company ignored safety measures and put you in harm’s way, they need to be held accountable. It’s that simple.

When Maintenance Providers Cut Corners, Lives Are at Risk

Not all trucking companies handle maintenance themselves. Many rely on third-party providers to keep their rigs roadworthy. But what happens when those mechanics take shortcuts? They put everyone in danger.

If a maintenance provider skipped an inspection, installed faulty parts, or ignored a clear problem, they could be liable for your injuries. That’s why digging into maintenance records is crucial for your semi-truck injury lawsuit.

Filing a Truck Accident Lawsuit: What You Need to Know

The legal process might feel overwhelming, but here’s a step-by-step breakdown of what to expect:

1. Investigation – Your lawyer will collect accident reports, maintenance records, and witness statements to build a rock-solid case.
2. Determining Liability – Experts will analyze evidence to determine who’s responsible—the driver, the trucking company, or another party.
3. Filing the Lawsuit – If a settlement isn’t reached, your attorney will officially file a big rig crash legal help lawsuit.
4. Negotiation – Most cases settle before trial, but insurance companies will fight hard to pay you as little as possible. A strong lawyer won’t back down.
5. Trial (if necessary) – If the trucking company refuses to settle, your case may go to court, where a judge or jury will decide your compensation.

How We Take on Trucking Giants and Win

Trucking companies and their insurers have one goal—paying you as little as possible. They’ll blame you. They’ll deny responsibility. They’ll try to drag the case out, hoping you’ll give up. But we don’t let them get away with it.

Here’s how we fight for you:

• Uncovering the truth – We dig into black box data, maintenance records, and eyewitness reports to expose negligence.
• Bringing in industry experts – Specialists help us prove that brake failure played a role in your crash.
• Taking on insurance companies – Insurers love to downplay injuries and delay claims. We push for the maximum compensation you deserve.
• Going to trial if necessary – If they won’t pay up, we’ll take your case to court and fight for justice.

We don’t back down. And we don’t let trucking companies off the hook.

Get the Help You Deserve—Talk to a New York Personal Injury Lawyer Today!

If you’ve been injured in a truck accident, you don’t have to face this alone.  As one of the best law firms in America, we have the experience and dedication needed to take on tough trucking cases. Whether you need help filing a commercial vehicle injury claim or pursuing 18-wheeler accident compensation, we’ve got your back. 

Call us today for a free consultation and get the justice you deserve.