Los Angeles Defective Equipment Attorney News: Truck Drivers Blame Defective Equipment for Crash
Two truckers whose rig crashed last week on the ramp at Highway 58 and Interstate 70 want to send out a warning about a built-in braking system used in many trucks.
Ray Johnson and his wife Lee, both California residents, say the truck safety system OnGuard is to blame for the July 25 wreck in Wheat Ridge that caused major traffic backups.
Ray was the driver of the truck carrying beer and Lee was his co-driver, and although they only had very minor injuries the experience was quite frightening.
“It was just terrible,” Johnson said.
“It was very, very scary,” Lee said.
Their big rig wound up dangling off the highway and lots of beer spilled. Wheat Ridge police investigators concluded Johnson “exceeded the safe speed.”
“Were you taking the curve too fast?” CBS4′s Jodi Brooks asked Johnson.
“No, it was impossible to take that curve too fast,” Johnson said.
OnGuard is essentially radar sensor technology that detects a potential collision and sends a warning and then activates the braking system. The couple says they first complained about the system about a month ago.
“So there was no beeping?” Brooks asked, referring to what happened before the July 25 crash.
“Nope,” said Johnson.
“Nope,” said Johnson.
“It just slammed on the brakes?” Brooks asked.
“It just slammed on the brakes, and that was the worst possible time,” Johnson said.
The cab brakes locked and the weight of the trailer kept going.
Ray and Lee Johnson claim OnGuard read the curve as another vehicle.
“The guardrail actually curves around and it’s in front of the truck as you’re coming into that curve. And we think it probably keyed on that guardrail. It’s about as high as a bumper, that guardrail,” Lee said.
Every time OnGuard is challeged it wins. OnGuard says a system failure has never been proven.
Will Schafer is a fleet manager with a company called Transwest Truck Trailer RV and he sells OnGuard.
“The OnGuard system senses how far the vehicle is ahead of you,” Schafer told CBS4.
“Every system has the ability to have a failure,” Schafer said. “I know in this case there are other people who have blamed the system.”
An investigation into the truck crash is continuing.
Defective Truck Equipment
Large semi-trucks and 18-wheeler are a unique presence on the road because of their massive size and weight. Many truck accidents are caused by driver negligence or defective truck equipment. Trucking companies have an enormous responsibility to the general population to keep their trucks well maintained and properly loaded. When innocent motorists are injured because federal safety regulations have not been abided, trucking companies need to be held accountable. If you or a loved one were seriously injured in a truck accident, you should consult with a Los Angeles truck accident attorney to determine whether or not you have a claim.
Common Types of Defective Equipment
There are certain types of equipment in semi-trucks that typically malfunction and more frequently cause truck accidents, including tire blowouts, tread separation, defective wheels, brake or brake pad failure, steering defects, defective trailer hitch, defective safety straps, and broken hydraulic hoses, among others. Therefore, it is essential to have a qualified personal injury attorney actively investigate the cause of the accident. There are cases in which the driver and trucking company handled everything correctly, yet a major defect in a piece of equipment or a design flaw are to blame for the accident. Truck accidents can cause serious catastrophic injuries or wrongful death for the drivers and passengers of smaller passenger vehicles. This makes it is crucial to have a thorough investigation completed in order to determine the cause of the accident. Only then will victims be fairly compensated for their injuries.
Compassionate Truck Accident Lawyer in Denver
Being involved in a truck accident can be very overwhelming, especially when you are up against a large trucking company. Just because you are one person doesn’t mean you will be unable obtain a fair settlement against a large corporation or equipment manufacturer. Los Angeles car accident lawyers at Ellis Law are intimately familiar with trucking regulations and defective truck equipment. We are not afraid to advocate on your behalf while pursuing ample compensation for your injuries. Having the assistance that you need will give you the best chances of reaching a favorable outcome in your truck accident case. Truck accident victims should be fairly compensated for their injuries so they have the resources they need to focus on healing and recovery. To learn more about your case, contact a personal injury lawyer from our firm today!