SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
Speed
45 mph
Severity
Deaths
0
Injured
1
Fire
No
Crash
Yes
Police report
Yes
Medical attention
No
Vehicle towed
No
Narrative
I WAS IN A 2008 DODGE AVENGER THAT WAS A RENTAL CAR. I WAS DRIVING THROUGH A CONSTRUCTION AREA WHEN THE TRUCK IN FRONT OF ME SLAMMED ON ITS BRAKES. I WAS GOING BELOW THE 55 MPH SPEED LIMIT, AND HAD A SAFE DISTANCE BETWEEN ME AND THE TRUCK IN FRONT OF ME. WHEN I SLAMMED ON MY BRAKES, THE CAR DID NOT STOP. I PRESSED HARDER AND THE CAR SLOWED DOWN BUT DID NOT STOP UNTIL IT HIT THE TRUCK IN FRONT OF ME. THERE WAS DEFINITELY A BRAKE FAILURE. THEN THE AIR BAG EXPLODED INSTEAD OF DEPLOYING LEAVING ME WITH BURNS ON BOTH ARMS AND HANDS. SINCE THEN THE RENTAL CAR COMPANY HAS TOLD ME THERE HAVE BEEN 4 RECALLS ON THIS VEHICLE. *TR