How Brake Failures Cause Serious Truck Accidents

Brake failure is more than just a mechanical issue—it’s often the result of poor maintenance, faulty equipment, or reckless oversight. According to U.S. Department of Transportation data, brake issues contribute to nearly 30% of all large truck accidents.

Brake systems on commercial trucks are complex, and any weak link in the chain—whether it’s maintenance, usage, or design—can lead to a crash. Most brake failures don’t result in a total loss of braking, but in reduced or imbalanced braking power, making it impossible for a driver to stop safely in time.

Most Common Causes of Truck Brake Failure

Our investigations regularly uncover these recurring brake failure factors:

• Inadequate maintenance
  • Delayed inspections, skipped repairs, or use of unqualified technicians
  • Failure to comply with federal brake inspection regulations
• Brake imbalance
  • Uneven application of brakes causes skidding, jackknifing, or loss of control
  • Often due to mismatched parts or faulty air pressure distribution
• Overheated brakes on steep declines
  • Poor technique or maintenance can overheat brakes, leading to “brake fade” or complete loss of braking power
• Disconnected front brakes
  • Some owner-operators disable front brakes to save money on wear and tear—leaving trailer brakes to do all the work
• Overloaded trailers
  • Excess weight increases braking distance and stress on braking systems, often exceeding safe limits

What to Do After a Truck Brake Failure Accident

After a crash involving suspected brake failure, it’s critical to protect your rights. Trucking companies will act fast to deny responsibility—and evidence can disappear quickly.

Steps to take:

• Do not sign anything from the trucking company or their insurer
• Seek immediate medical attention and keep all records
• Contact an experienced truck accident attorney before speaking to any insurance adjuster
• Document the scene if you’re able: photos, witness info, and vehicle damage

At LawyerPower, we handle every aspect of your case so you can focus on recovery. We move quickly to preserve critical evidence—because timing is everything in truck accident claims.

How We Prove Brake Failure in a Truck Accident

To build a strong case, our legal team uses a multi-pronged approach. We investigate thoroughly and act fast to preserve evidence that supports your claim.

We gather:

• Police reports identifying potential causes or code violations
• Witness statements and your account of what happened
• Photos of the crash site, vehicle positions, and visible damage
• Skid marks or physical evidence showing braking failure
• Maintenance records and inspection logs from the trucking company
• Surveillance or traffic camera footage, if available
• Data from the truck’s black box (EDR):
  • Vehicle speed
  • Brake usage before impact
  • Diagnostic codes and alerts

We also conduct air brake testing after the crash. This includes evaluating:

• Valves and gauges
• Brake pressure systems
• Brake linings and balance
• Warning system functionality

If we’re brought into the case early, we send spoliation letters to preserve the truck, its logs, and all related records—stopping the company from destroying or tampering with evidence.

Who’s Responsible for Brake Failure Accidents?

Unlike typical car crashes, truck accident liability often includes multiple parties. Through investigation, we may file claims against:

• Truck Driver
  • For failing pre-trip inspections, overdriving brakes, or ignoring warning signs
• Trucking Company
  • For skipping maintenance, violating service schedules, or hiring underqualified drivers
• Cargo Loaders
  • For improperly loading or exceeding weight limits that overstress brakes
• Truck Mechanics
  • For negligent repairs, missed warnings, or using faulty parts
• Brake Manufacturers
  • If a defective design or part caused the failure, a product liability claim may apply

We leave no stone unturned when determining fault—because more accountability means more opportunity for full compensation.

Why You Need a Lawyer Immediately

Brake failure accident claims are complex, time-sensitive, and aggressively defended by insurance companies and trucking corporations. If you don’t act fast, crucial evidence may disappear or be destroyed.

Here’s how we help:

• Launch an immediate investigation
• Preserve physical and digital evidence
• Demand and review maintenance logs
• Coordinate expert analysis of brake systems
• Negotiate a full settlement or take your case to trial

We work on a contingency fee basis.

Call a Charlotte Truck Brake Failure Lawyer Today

If you’ve been seriously injured in a truck accident that may have been caused by brake failure, don’t wait. You may be owed significant compensation—and we’re ready to help you fight for it.

Call the LawyerPower Office of Mark Farbman at (704) 542-1555 or contact us online to schedule your free consultation.