Brooklyn Improper Braking Technique

When it is necessary to slow down or stop, it is critical for truck drivers or drivers of any type of vehicle to use proper braking technique. Otherwise, the result could be a truck or car accident. When a large truck such as an 18-wheeler, dump truck, or tractor trailer is involved, failure to use proper technique when braking could have catastrophic results. According to statistics reported by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, 29% of all truck accidents each year in the United States involved a problem with the brakes. Tractor trailers typically weigh up to 80,000 pounds and on highways drive at speeds well over 55 miles per hour. If such a truck needs to stop it is critical that the driver understand how to brake effectively and safely. If the truck driver is not able to stop in time to avoid a collision there is a high probability that the victims of the accident will suffer serious injuries. Victims of truck accidents often suffer serious injuries such as a brain injury, contusions, broken bones, internal injuries, amputations, paralysis, or spinal cord injury. Unfortunately, in many accidents involving large trucks that were unable to stop, there are victims that are injured so severely that they do not survive. If you were injured in a truck accident caused by a braking failure, it is important that you immediately contact a Brooklyn Improper Braking Technique Accident Lawyer as you may be entitled to compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering through a personal injury claim. In addition, if during the course of the treatment for your injuries your doctor, nurse, or other medical professional is negligent and commits medical malpractice, the truck driver or trucking company may be required to compensate you for that as well.

When a driver receives training on how to operate a large commercial truck, that training includes proper braking technique. Thus, a competent truck driver should understand the following guidelines:

• The driver should press down on the brakes of 2 minutes to measure the air pressure in the system.
• Focus on the gauge that will show whether or not the air system is functioning properly.
• The truck’s transmission must be in neutral when the parking brake is engaged.
• Steady brake pressure must be applied when the anti-lock braking system is engaged.
• Use traction control when driving in ice, snow or mud.

Failure to follow proper braking technique would be negligent and would compromise the safety of other drivers on the road. For example, in some cases braking too hard will result in the load shifting. This could cause the load to spill or the truck to jackknife.

If you or a loved one was injured in a truck accident you may be able to recover damages from the truck driver, trucking company, or owner of the truck. Such damages may include:

• Medical expenses. The medical expenses that you incurred for treatment of the injury, including expenses related to an emergency room or hospital stay, surgery, and ongoing visits to the doctor. In addition to expenses that you incurred at the time you filed the lawsuit, you can also sue for future medical expenses.
• Lost income and compensation. While you recover from your injuries you may miss work. The amount of work that you miss depends on the severity of your injury and the treatment required. When you miss work you may lose both wages as well as other types of compensation. Wages include the hourly wages or salary that your earn and get paid in the form of a weekly, bi-weekly or monthly paycheck. Compensation, on the other hand, includes benefits you are entitled to from your employer.
• Pain and suffering. Pain and suffering awards are linked to both the emotional trauma and the physical pain you experienced because of the accident and injuries. For example, those who experience severe injuries often suffer depression, anxiety, frustration, bitterness, inconvenience, and mental anguish.
• Wrongful death. If a family member was killed in a truck accident, you may be able to pursue damages in a wrongful death lawsuit.

Beware that New York law has a specific time limit for filing a personal injury or wrongful death claim. If you do not file your claim within the time period, you will be forever barred from collecting damages even if your case has merit.

If you were involved in a truck accident that was caused by a braking problem, it is important to immediately contact an experienced truck accident attorney since the rules that apply to a truck accident and in many ways different from those that apply to a car accident. Contact Stephen Bilkis & Associates, PLLC to discuss the details of your case. Our staff is experienced in handling claims resulting from truck accidents, as well as SUV accidents, car accidents, and motorcycle accidents. Contact us at 800.696.9529 to schedule a free, no obligation consultation regarding your case.