How Longer Tractor-Trailer Braking Distances Lead to Truck Accidents

To prevent collisions, drivers must constantly anticipate how long it will take them to stop and adjust their following distances accordingly. There are several popular tricks for gauging safe following distances, including timing how long it takes to pass a fixed point and maintaining a certain number of vehicle lengths behind the traffic ahead.

Regardless of the method, each driver is responsible for leaving enough braking distance to come to a complete stop if another vehicle brakes unexpectedly. That includes tractor-trailer operators, who handle massive vehicles multiple times longer and heavier than the average car. A large truck’s additional size and weight lead to significantly longer braking distances, especially when fully loaded trucks go downhill or drive in poor conditions.

Truck drivers must undergo extensive testing and training before being licensed to operate commercial tractor-trailers. They are taught how to handle these huge vehicles safely and must understand the potentially catastrophic risks of making a mistake that results in an accident.

Unfortunately, many truck drivers still take unnecessary risks that endanger themselves and other road users. These operators engage in distracted driving, speeding, and other negligent behaviors that decrease the time or distance they have to stop and increase the risk of devastating collisions.

If you have been injured in a Virginia truck accident caused by a negligent driver, you may be entitled to compensation. At Lichtenstein Law Group PLC, we can help you determine the potential value of your case and demand the money you are owed. Contact us today to learn more about your legal options in a free initial consultation.

How Long Does It Take a Fully Loaded Tractor-Trailer to Come to a Full Stop?

According to estimates from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), standard passenger cars take approximately 300 feet to reach a complete stop when traveling at 65 mph. In contrast, a fully-loaded tractor-trailer traveling at the same 65mph speed would take about 525 feet to stop – roughly 75 percent longer than a passenger car.

Large trucks require even more stopping distance when carrying heavy loads, going down steep grades, or driving through adverse weather conditions like snow and ice. Poorly maintained and maladjusted brakes can also extend the distance, as can worn tire treads.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued new braking requirements for commercial trucks to reduce the risks associated with long stopping distances. Under the new standards, tractor-trailers must be equipped with brakes that allow them to reach a complete stop within 250 feet while traveling at 60 mph, reducing nearly 30 percent of the previous maximum stopping distance of 355 feet. The new standard also states that “lightly loaded” tractor-trailers must be able to stop within 235 feet under the same conditions.

According to NHTSA’s estimates, these new requirements have prevented hundreds of deaths and serious injuries each year. They have also reduced property damage costs by at least $169 million per year, significantly more than the cost of complying with the new standards.

Why Does It Take Trucks Longer to Stop Than Cars?

A large commercial truck’s substantial size and weight influence how the truck accelerates, decelerates, handles, and stops. But other factors increase braking distance for tractor trailers, too.

One of the most significant factors is “brake lag.” Brakes on large tractor-trailers are air brakes, which are not the same as the hydraulic brakes used in most passenger vehicles.

When a truck driver engages the truck’s air brakes, it takes a moment for the air inside the brake system to build up and slow everything down. This split-second can be the difference between a safe stop and a disastrous wreck at high speeds.

What Is the Difference Between Air Brakes and Hydraulic Brakes?

A “hydraulic” mechanism is operated by fluid in motion. Most passenger cars use hydraulic brake systems, which use special brake fluid to engage the brakes when a driver steps on the brake pedal. Brake fluid is non-compressible, so when pressure is applied to a brake pedal, the fluid moves through the brake line and begins slowing the vehicle almost instantly.

Large tractor-trailers use air brakes because they tend to be more reliable and easier to replace. But because air brakes rely on the pressure of compressible air, they take slightly longer to engage than hydraulic brakes. When a truck driver pushes their brake pedal, several things must happen before the truck begins to slow down:

• An air compressor forces air from a brake chamber through the air lines.
• The compressed air presses on a piston.
• The piston applies pressure to brake pads or shoes.
• The friction from the brake pad or shoe slows down the vehicle.

If a Truck’s Brakes Fail, Is the Driver at Fault for The Accident?

The short answer is that it depends. Licensed commercial drivers are expected to have the knowledge and experience needed to handle their vehicles safely at all times. That includes maintaining safe following distances, performing regular brake inspections, and conducting routine maintenance.

If a brake failure occurs because a manufacturer provides a defectively designed or manufactured component, the manufacturer could be liable. Similarly, a trucking company could be responsible if it failed to properly maintain the trucks provided to its drivers.

However, truck drivers must maintain complete control of their vehicles under any circumstances. Even if a manufacturer or trucking company was at fault, the driver might still share a portion of the liability. If a truck’s brakes fail because the driver did not inspect or maintain their vehicle properly, they could also be liable if they injure someone in an accident.

Contact a Truck Accident Lawyer in Roanoke Today

If you were injured in a truck crash caused by brake failure, the first call you should make is to the Virginia truck accident lawyers at the Lichtenstein Law Group PLC. We know how to handle commercial vehicle accident cases, particularly those caused by defective or inadequately maintained parts and systems.

Contact us today to discuss your rights and legal options during a free and confidential consultation.