Semi Truck Accident Caused by Bad Brakes
A tractor trailer accident that caused the death of another driver was caused by faulty equipment in Kentucky. According to the police investigation, the tractor trailer driver was unable to stop his truck for a red light and drove onto the shoulder crashing into a person driving a motorcycle. The subsequent investigation of the truck accident revealed that the tractor trailer's brakes were not working properly. The investigation also revealed that the tractor trailer driver knew that his tractor trailer had a brake problem.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations require each tractor trailer driver to perform what is called a pretrip inspection before each trip he or she takes. There are many aspects of the tractor and trailer that need to be inspected for safety purposes before the driver is authorized to start the trip and take the tractor trailer out on the roads. Of course, the brakes are a safety feature that need to be inspected before the tractor trailer can be driven. The driver is supposed to fill out a form before each trip documenting the fact that he or she verified that the brakes, and other tractor trailer components, are in working order.
In this case, it appears that the truck driver took his truck out on the road with knowledge that the brakes were not working properly. As a result, he was unable to stop for a red light and another motorist died. The tractor trailer driver was also charged with second degree manslaughter. More than likely, the driver and his employer will also be sued for the death and damages that were accused by the negligent driving of the tractor trailer driver.
