National safety inspections take trucks out of service

On behalf of Steven Crell of Steve Crell Law posted in Truck Accidents on Friday, November 18, 2016.

The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance has taken important steps to keep the highways of Indiana and the rest of the United States safe from trucking accidents by carrying out a safety inspection blitz. The non-profit organization periodically checks big rigs and other vehicles for certain safety-related issues.

Over 18,000 inspections on trucks were performed in mid-September. Since brake failure is a well-known cause of semi truck accidents, the inspectors concentrated on that system and made sure that all the brake liners, rotors, drums and pads were whole and in operating condition. They also looked for problems with hydraulic fluid or air pressure leaks and made sure that the anti-lock braking system sensors were working properly.

Approximately 3,900 of the trucks that were inspected had to be removed from service for various safety violations. Of those vehicles, more than 2,300 had to be taken out of service for problems with their brake system. More than 1,000 of those vehicles were also found to have other non-brake safety issues as well.

While many big rig accidents are caused by truck drivers who were speeding, who fell asleep at the wheel, who were distracted by a cellphone or who were impaired by alcohol or drugs, others are the result of improper or negligent maintenance. If a truck rear ends a smaller vehicle because its brakes failed due to a lack of servicing, then an attorney representing an injured victim might find it appropriate to file a lawsuit against the trucking company seeking compensation for medical expenses and other losses.

Source: Overdrive Online, “National inspection blitz puts nearly 4k trucks out of service, over half for brake violations”, Matt Cole, Nov. 14, 2016