Semi-trucks use a few different methods for decelerating and applying the brakes. One method that some drivers of passenger vehicles may not know about is engine braking, which allows heavy trucks to reduce speed without excessive use of the standard braking system.
If the truck driver in your accident used engine braking, this may be relevant to your accident case. What is engine braking in truck accident cases? Learn more below, then speak with a truck accident lawyer about your legal rights and options.
What Is Engine Braking in Truck Accident Cases?
Engine braking, also known as a “jake brake,” is a method of reducing the speed of heavy vehicles like semi-trucks without pressing the brake pedal. This can be useful in a few instances:
- A truck with heavy cargo needs to decelerate and doesn’t want to risk overheating the braking system
- A truck needs to decelerate in slippery or wet conditions in which the standard brakes may cause tires to lose traction
- A truck driver traveling down a steep decline wants to decelerate without skidding
Engine braking isn’t recommended in every case. This form of braking is very loud, and some residential areas have prohibited it as a result. Trucks without the proper counterbalance can also risk a loss of steering control if they use engine braking incorrectly.
How Engine Braking Affects Truck Accidents
If you were injured in a truck accident, evaluating the circumstances surrounding the accident can help you assess liability and understand your next steps. These are a few ways engine braking can affect truck accidents:
- Engine braking does not illuminate the truck’s brake lights, meaning nearby drivers may not have any warning that the truck is decelerating. This can quickly lead to a rear-end collision.
- Engine braking produces a loud noise that can startle nearby drivers, which may cause them to swerve and collide with other vehicles.
Evidence That Can Prove Engine Braking and Truck Accident Causes
If you suspect engine braking was at play in your truck accident, the truck’s black box data can help support this theory. While the Event Data Recorder (EDR) doesn’t specifically document whether or not engine braking occurred, it can provide other relevant information for your truck accident analysis, such as:
- When the driver last depressed the brake pedal before the accident, which can help show that the deceleration was due to engine braking rather than the traditional braking system
- The truck’s speed and acceleration prior to the accident, which can show whether the driver was speeding
- Steering inputs, which could support that the driver was operating the vehicle erratically
Seek Legal Assistance With Your Truck Accident Legal Case
What is engine braking in truck accident cases? Knowing the answer to this question can help you assess whether such an action may have contributed to your accident and injuries.
Yale Haymond Law PLLC provides legal assistance for truck accident victims in the Charlotte area. Speak with us today at 704-800-HELP (4357) to request a free consultation.
