Trucker Injured After Brakes Failed on U.S. Highway 52
By Rick Shapiro
Shapiro, Cooper, Lewis, & Appleton
The drivers of a tractor-trailer was seriously injured after the trailer lost its brakes and crashed into an embankment on U.S. Highway 52 between Fancy Gap and Cana, Virginia (VA), according to Mount Airy News.
The trailer flipped over and slipped across the northbound lanes finally smashing into an embankment. Rescue workers spent over an hour to free the driver from the trailer.
Brake defects were found in 56 percent of tractor-trailers involved in truck crashes, according to ESTD. A study sponsored by the Department of Transportation concluded that nearly 30 percent of all large truck crashes involved brake failure, brakes out of adjustment, or other brake related issues.
A brake failure is one of the worst experiences a driver can go through. You feel helpless and your vehicle becomes a target for destruction.
Here are some general guidelines you should adhere to in case your brakes fail, from Safety.com:
- Try not to panic. If possible, work your vehicle into the right lane and then toward the shoulder or, if possible, toward an exit. Remember to use your directional signal. When you reach the right lane turn on your emergency hazard lights.
- Let the truck slow down gradually by taking your foot off the gas pedal. Simply steer as your vehicle slows and shift the truck into a lower gear to let the engine help slow the truck.
- Get the truck off the roadway and to a safe place to avoid stopping traffic or being involved in a rear-end collision.
- When safely off the road, put out reflective triangles beside and behind your vehicle to alert other drivers; keep your emergency flashers going.
- Don’t stand behind or next to your vehicle; if possible, stay away from the vehicle and wait for help to arrive. Do not be tempted to drive your vehicle, no matter how slowly, without brakes.
About the Editors: Shapiro, Cooper Lewis & Appleton is a law firm which focuses on injury and accident law and our attorneys have experience handling truck accident cases. Check out our truck accident case results. Our primary office in based in Virginia Beach, but we’re ready to come to you anywhere in Virginia if you’ve been seriously hurt by someone else’s carelessness. We are ready to talk to you right now and we provide free initial confidential injury case consultations, so call us toll free at 1-800-752-0042.
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November 29, 2009
Tags: accident, accidents, Highway 52, injury, lawyer, Shapiro, tractor trailer, truck, trucking Posted in: Virginia (VA) Trucking Injury/Accidents Topics
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