Causes of Runaway Truck Accidents

If you live in a hilly region or visited the mountains to enjoy the scenic views, you’ve probably seen signs for runaway truck ramps, but never considered the implications of a runaway truck until you or a loved one suffered serious injuries due to an out-of-control truck. A steep mountain grade is a uniquely unforgiving environment for a large commercial truck. Trucking companies have a duty to hire well-trained drivers who respond appropriately during brake failures, malfunctions, or when a runaway truck poses a deadly threat to other motorists on the roadway. Our St. Louis truck accident attorneys hold negligent trucking companies liable for the resulting

What Is a Runaway Truck?

A runaway truck is one in which the driver has lost the ability to slow or stop their truck. This typically occurs when a truck is traveling downhill and experiences brake failure due to one or more mechanical malfunctions or negligent actions on the part of the driver, trucking company, or truck maintenance company. A fully loaded commercial truck and trailer can weigh up to 80,000 pounds. A runaway truck is one of the most serious dangers a motorist can encounter on the road—typically in a hilly, sloped, or mountainous region.

What Causes Runaway Truck Accidents?

Few things are as terrifying and dangerous as an 80,000-pound tractor-trailer truck barreling toward you while out of the driver’s control. Brake failure, one of the main causes of runaway truck accidents, accounts for about 30% of semi-truck accidents according to the FMCSA. The most common causes of runaway truck accidents include the following:

• Brake failure: this may occur due to overheating, inadequate maintenance, brake fluid leaks, worn-out brakes, or a manufacturing defect
• Brake fade: this occurs when brakes overheat due to excessive use, such as when navigating long, downhill slopes, causing the brakes to work less effectively, sometimes failing completely during a sudden emergency when they cannot absorb the extra heat when the driver attempts an emergency stop
• Engine malfunctions such as “diesel engine runaway,” causing the engine to rev up without the driver applying the accelerator
• Unbalanced or improperly secured loads: when a sudden shift of heavy freight occurs, it may cause the driver to lose control as the weight of the freight propels the truck forward
• Inadequate maintenance: mechanical problems due to a poorly maintained truck can result in a runaway truck due to brake failure, steering failure, or accelerator problems

Driver intoxication, a driver who falls asleep at the wheel, or a driver experiencing a medical emergency may also cause or contribute to a runaway truck accident.

Preventing Runaway Truck Accidents

Experts have determined the following three primary elements required to prevent runaway truck crashes:

• A well-trained, alert driver
• A well-maintained, properly loaded truck
• A roadway with adequate signage and regularly spaced runaway truck ramps

Deviation from any of the above elements increases the risk of runaway truck accidents.

Liability for Runaway Truck Accidents

The commercial freight industry is complex and requires multiple entities to ensure that a safe, well-maintained truck with a secure load navigates the roadways with a highly qualified driver behind the wheel. After a runaway truck accident, it takes an in-depth investigation to determine what caused the driver to lose control of the truck. When a careless or inexperienced driver, a trucking company that doesn’t adhere to federal regulations, or a manufacturer’s defective part causes a runaway truck accident, the negligent party is liable for the injury victim’s damages like medical expenses, lost wages, and compensation for pain and suffering. Contact our St. Louis personal injury lawyer for quality representation.