Large commercial trucks in Louisiana pose a serious safety risk when their brakes are not functioning correctly. If brakes are not installed properly or they are in need of maintenance, a truck’s stopping distance could be affected. To prevent accidents caused by poorly maintained brakes, the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance and the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration have organized a campaign called Brake Safety Week.
An annual event, Brake Safety Week is scheduled to take place this year from Sept. 6 to Sept. 12. The safety initiative will involve brake system inspections throughout North America. Inspectors will be looking for hydraulic fluid leaks, loose or missing brake system parts, worn brake linings and pads and many other potential problems with commercial vehicle brake systems.
During Brake Safety Week, commercial vehicles that are found to have defective brakes will be taken off of the road and put out of service. In addition to inspections, Brake Safety Week will include education and outreach programs led by CMV inspectors and motor carriers. Last year, Brake Safety Week inspectors checked the brakes on 13,305 commercial vehicles. The CVSA also holds one unannounced brake inspection day every spring.
Commercial trucking companies are expected to have systems in place for inspecting the brakes on their own vehicles. If faulty brakes cause a truck accident, victims of the accident may be able to file a personal injury claim against the trucking company and the truck driver who were responsible for the poorly maintained brakes. A lawyer may be able to help accident victims pursue compensation for their injuries.
