Truck accidents are exceptionally dangerous, and recent statistics show an increase in both injuries and fatalities over the past decade plus. According to the National Safety Council (NSC), 5,936 people were killed in truck crashes and another 161,000 were injured in 2022. Truck accident-related fatalities have risen 49% over the past 10 years, and injuries have increased by 16% over the past half decade.

One of the leading factors behind truck collisions is equipment failure, with the single largest culprit being brake failure. A study published by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) showed that brake problems were found in 32.7% of trucks inspected following crashes. Not only were braking issues that would have resulted in the truck being placed out of service if inspected before the crash shockingly prevalent, but the researchers also found that these defective brakes directly contributed to 45.5% of crashes in the study.

In another series of studies highlighted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), brake defects were found in 42% of crash-involved trucks in one study, and another study found that nearly 55% of all post-crash inspections found at least one mechanical violation, with nearly 30% with at least one violation so serious that the truck should have been immediately removed from service.

While defective and poorly maintained brakes are the most common cause of truck accidents, they are far from the only equipment issue found in each of these studies. The second most common equipment violation was with lighting systems, including turn signals and headlights. These accounted for approximately 20% of all violations in both the FMCSA and IIHS data sets. The third most common violation cited was tire failure, making up 14.5% of all violations in the FMCSA study.

Any vehicle defect significantly increases the risk of a crash. According to the IIHS data, a truck with any defect had a 200% increased risk of being involved in a crash, and that danger only increased with the severity of the defect. In situations where a brake defect was severe enough that the truck should have been taken out of service, there was a 300% increase in crash risk.

Vehicle defects, especially issues with braking systems, are a massive safety hazard that account for a significant percentage of truck accidents that occur across the United States every year. While most crashes are caused by multiple factors — driver error, driving under the influence, poor road conditions, etc. — equipment failure is consistently one of the leading factors preceding a crash. Properly maintaining a truck is one of the most important steps a driver and trucking company needs to take to ensure that the massive vehicles they use are safe for public roads. Unfortunately, this step is missed or willfully skipped for one reason or another, putting the safety of other drivers at risk.

If you were seriously injured in a truck accident, you may be able to seek compensation to cover your medical bills, property damage, rehabilitation, and any other damages incurred in the crash. At GDH Law, we are committed to fighting for the rights of our clients through personalized and dedicated representation. Give us a call to schedule a free case evaluation with an experienced Lanham truck accident lawyer today.