Brake Problems Biggest Cause of Truck Accidents

Truck on Road and a Bad Weather — Roseville, CA — Frank Penney Injury Lawyers

Read the blog from Frank Penney Injury Lawyers in Roseville, CA below.

Study Finds Driver Fatigue Not Biggest Cause

Truck drivers are known to spend notoriously long hours on the road. And most people think that driver fatigue is the most common cause of truck accidents. But according to a national study by the FMCSA, the primary cause of most large truck accidents is brake problems. Fatigue was actually found to be number 7. A forensic expert reports in this air brake safety analysis that

“…brake failures usually are not failures at all but performance problems stemming from deficient maintenance.”

Trucking companies have a legal obligation to maintain the brakes on their trucks. But problems arise when they don’t properly maintain their brakes. Often repairs are made only on brakes that appear faulty and not all the brakes. This can cause brake imbalance, which leads to instability during braking, brake fade, and brake fires. Brake imbalance can cause hazards like jackknifing and trailer swing-outs – two hazards you don’t want to be a part of! The other top causes of large truck accidents include:

SPEED

Driving too fast for conditions is a serious problem for all drivers, but especially for trucks carrying a heavy load that can shift in transit. Speed should also be adjusted for weather conditions, work zones, and entering curves or on- and off-ramps.

UNFAMILIAR ROADWAYS

When a truck driver has failed to plan his route, he may resort to reading a map while driving or allow himself to become distracted with a GPS or smartphone device. Another dangerous possibility is that when he is unfamiliar with the roadway, he will suddenly change direction, failing to notice other cars or signal properly.

ROAD CONDITIONS

There are many roadway problems that compromise driving safety, such as:

slippery pavement
pavement edge drop-off
inadequate sight distance at curves
lack of signage or unclear signage
construction zone operations
potholes or debris
extra-hazardous grade railroad crossings

OVER-THE-COUNTER DRUG USE

Over-the-counter drugs can present serious side effects that can be deadly when combined with operating a vehicle. Many OTC medications for allergies, coughs, colds, and flu can cause extreme drowsiness. Some drivers use drugs or caffeine in an attempt to stay alert that leads to severe exhaustion when the effects wear off. Whatever the cause, large truck crashes happen every day. If you’ve been injured in an unavoidable accident, the driver or trucking company may be liable for damages. At that point, it may make sense to contact a lawyer who’s experienced in truck accident liability.

Top 5 Causes of Large Truck Crashes Infographic

To provide a quick reference guide, we’ve created this infographic of the top 5 causes of truck crashes.

Top Five Causes of Large Truck Crashes — Roseville, CA — Frank Penney Injury Lawyers

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Temecula California Freeway Crash Leaves Four Dead, Two Injured

By Frank Penney • August 28, 2025

A devastating crash on the 15 Freeway in Temecula late Saturday night left four people dead and two others injured after a BMW M4, allegedly driven recklessly, lost control and caused a head-on collision. The California Highway Patrol reported the crash around 9:33 p.m. when the BMW, traveling north of Winchester Road, swerved left, struck a concrete median, and flew into the southbound lanes. The car veered into the far-right lane and collided head-on with a white Nissan Sentra. The BMW burst into flames moments after impact. Good Samaritans were able to pull the BMW’s driver, a 25-year-old man from Moreno Valley, from the burning vehicle. He suffered major injuries and was rushed to a hospital. Tragically, his passengers did not survive. A 23-year-old woman in the front seat and two Moreno Valley teenagers, a 14-year-old boy and a 15-year-old girl in the back, were pronounced dead at the scene. The Nissan’s driver, a 35-year-old man from Wildomar, was taken to a hospital but did not survive the trip. His passenger, a 22-year-old man, remains in critical condition. Authorities said that alcohol does not appear to have been a factor, but charges against the BMW driver are pending as investigators continue to examine the circumstances surrounding what they describe as reckless driving. As of Sunday afternoon, none of the victims had been publicly identified. Experience unparalleled legal representation with Frank Penney Injury Law , the esteemed recipients of the CAOC Trial Attorney of the Year award. With over two decades of dedicated service, our team has consistently delivered record-setting results for accident victims in Northern, Central, and Southern California. Enjoy peace of mind with our no upfront fees policy. Contact us today at 888-888-0566 or through our website www.penneylaw.com for a FREE consultation. Frank Penney Injury Law does not represent any of the parties mentioned above. Nevertheless, we sympathize with the victim and their families in this time of crisis.

Motorcyclist from Dixon Killed in Big Rig Crash on I-80 in Davis, California

By Frank Penney • August 27, 2025

A tragic crash on Interstate 80 in Davis claimed the life of 42-year-old Christopher Barr of Dixon early Tuesday morning. According to the California Highway Patrol, the accident happened just before 4:45 a.m. in a construction zone on the eastbound side of the freeway, just west of Mace Boulevard. CHP reported that a Volvo tractor with trailers was traveling in the middle lane when, for reasons still unknown, Barr’s Harley Davidson motorcycle failed to slow down and struck the back of the truck. The impact threw him from the motorcycle, and he was fatally struck by another vehicle that has not yet been identified. Authorities have said that alcohol and drugs do not appear to be factors in the crash. The collision remains under investigation by the California Highway Patrol as they work to determine what led to the fatal chain of events. Experience unparalleled legal representation with Frank Penney Injury Law , the esteemed recipients of the CAOC Trial Attorney of the Year award. With over two decades of dedicated service, our team has consistently delivered record-setting results for accident victims in Northern, Central, and Southern California. Enjoy peace of mind with our no upfront fees policy. Contact us today at 888-888-0566 or through our website www.penneylaw.com for a FREE consultation. Frank Penney Injury Law does not represent any of the parties mentioned above. Nevertheless, we sympathize with the victim and their families in this time of crisis.

Fatal Motorcycle Crash in Elk Grove, California Leaves 21-Year-Old Rider Dead

By Frank Penney • August 27, 2025

A tragic accident in Elk Grove early Friday morning claimed the life of a 21-year-old motorcyclist. According to the Elk Grove Police Department, the crash occurred around 6:15 a.m. on Elk Grove Florin Road just north of Campbell Road. Investigators reported that the driver of a pickup truck towing a trailer was attempting a U-turn into the southbound lane when the motorcycle collided with the truck’s side. The impact threw the rider from the motorcycle, and despite the quick response of medical personnel, the young motorcyclist was pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities have not yet released the rider’s name, awaiting notification of next of kin by the Sacramento County Coroner’s Office. The roadway remained closed throughout the morning as police investigated the crash, reopening to traffic around noon. The Elk Grove Police Department continues to look into the circumstances surrounding the collision and is asking anyone with information to contact their traffic bureau at 916-478-8143. Experience unparalleled legal representation with Frank Penney Injury Law , the esteemed recipients of the CAOC Trial Attorney of the Year award. With over two decades of dedicated service, our team has consistently delivered record-setting results for accident victims in Northern, Central, and Southern California. Enjoy peace of mind with our no upfront fees policy. Contact us today at 888-888-0566 or through our website www.penneylaw.com for a FREE consultation. Frank Penney Injury Law does not represent any of the parties mentioned above. Nevertheless, we sympathize with the victim and their families in this time of crisis.

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