big rig accident causes

As Seattle personal injury attorneys who have represented injured victims for nearly 25 years, we are aware that a number of large truck accidents are caused as a result of brake failure. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in 2004, 416,000 large trucks were involved in traffic accidents in the United States. That year, 5,190 people died and 116,000 were injured in those crashes. In other words, truck accidents accounted for 12 percent of all traffic accident deaths in the country and one out of eight traffic fatalities in 2004 involved a large truck.

Defective equipment and lack of proper maintenance cause many of these tragic accidents. A study also shows that brake defects are quite common and were found in 56 percent of tractor trailers involved in accidents. In a recent Large Truck Crash Causation study sponsored by the U.S. Department of Transportation, it was concluded that at least 29.4 percent of truck accidents involve brake failure, brakes that are out of adjustment or other brake-related issues. It is also well-known that overloading trucks can also cause the brakes to fail and result in devastating accidents.

If you have been injured in a Washington truck accident as a result of brake failure that was caused by poor vehicle maintenance, then you may be able to file an injury claim against the trucking company for their negligence. Please contact the experienced Washington personal injury attorneys of The Bernard Law Group at 1-800-418-8282 or info@bernardlawgroup.com for a FREE comprehensive and confidential consultation and case evaluation. We can also send you our FREE informational brochure about Washington truck accident cases with useful educational information that will help you understand your legal rights and options. Please contact Kirk Bernard and his skilled legal team today.