How Jake-Braking Can Contribute to an Accident

8 February 2022 by Jonathan Phillips

In addition to pressing down on their brakes, a commercial truck driver might choose to engage in "jake-braking." This is a type of braking used by a truck to attempt to slow down their vehicle using the engine rather than the brakes. This helps reduce brake wear and tear and is sometimes necessary when the brakes fail. However, some drivers use jake-braking in a way that can lead to an accident.

How Jake-Braking Works

Jake-braking slows down the truck by downshifting energy to slow down the rotation of the axles. Because the truck driver is not using the brakes, there will be less brake wear and tear as a result. However, because jake-braking can also increase the odds of an accident, some jurisdictions that are accident-prone have banned the practice. In some cases, "no jake-braking," signs are put up to inform truck drivers.

Problems with Jake-Braking

Truck drivers who are not experienced or who are distracted can use both jake-braking and normal braking. This can cause the truck to slow down too fast and can lead to jack-knifing. Once this occurs, the truck may careen out of control and your car and several others. The accident might happen without warning and you might suddenly wake up in the hospital.

Liability After a Jake-Braking Accident

Even though your accident was the result of jack-knifing, this doesn't mean that you will automatically be held liable for your accident. It will need to be proven that the accident was the result of negligence on the part of the truck driver. For example, if your accident occurred because of bad weather conditions and the truck simply slid as a result, the driver may or may not be found responsible depending on how reckless they were.

However, if the driver was engaged in jake-braking, they might be held responsible for the accident if they were also using their normal brakes and if it is able to be proven. However, this can be difficult to prove without the help of a truck injury lawyer.

Compensation for a Jake Braking Accident

An experienced truck injury lawyer will be able to investigate how the accident occurred and will then be able to use the evidence to help you negotiate a settlement. If the commercial truck insurance provider who covers the truck believes they cannot win a court case, they will be more likely to negotiate a better settlement.

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