Commercial truck injuries are a serious safety concern across the United States. When heavy trucks move unexpectedly while parked, the results can be catastrophic for people working around the vehicle — including concrete drivers, cement workers, loading dock employees, and truck‑adjacent laborers. Recent safety recalls (Recall 25V806, Recall 25V817) issued by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reveal defects in electronic braking and control systems that may contribute to these unexpected movements.
While these recalls are national in scope, the Kuzmich Law Firm represents injured workers in Texas and California, offering experienced legal guidance for individuals harmed by defective truck systems.
How Unexpected Truck Movement Injures Workers
In many commercial truck jobs, drivers and workers exit the cab while the vehicle is running to operate equipment or perform tasks. For example, in concrete and cement operations, workers often:
- Place the truck in neutral
- Set the parking or emergency brake
- Increase engine RPM to power pumps
- Work around the rear or sides of the truck
If a truck’s safety systems fail to hold the vehicle in place, it may roll, lurch, or move without warning, causing severe injuries to workers standing, climbing, or maneuvering nearby. These injuries can include fractures, spinal cord trauma, internal injuries, and traumatic brain injury.
These risks are present throughout the country, but areas with high construction and shipping activity such as Texas and California see increased exposure due to the volume of commercial trucking in those states.
NHTSA Recalls Highlight Defect in Truck Safety Systems
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, a recent safety recall affects 11,418 medium‑ and heavy‑duty commercial trucks nationwide. The recall results from an electronic control unit (ECU) malfunction that could impair critical safety systems.
NHTSA’s recall documentation explains that electrical noise and low signal strength on the vehicle’s power line carrier may cause the ECU to incorrectly process commands or stop operating. As a result, systems that rely on the ECU — such as anti‑lock braking, automatic traction control, electronic stability control, and collision mitigation — may lose functionality or fail altogether.
When these systems malfunction, a truck may not hold in place as expected when in neutral or parked, increasing the risk of unintended movement and serious injury.
What the Recall Says About Safety System Warnings
NHTSA’s recall information also notes a key safety indicator: the ABS warning lamp. If this lamp illuminates while the truck is operating, it may indicate that the anti‑lock braking system or related control systems are experiencing a fault. Workers and operators should take any such warning seriously and seek immediate inspection or service.
This type of early warning is critical, because it can alert drivers — before an incident — to potential loss of braking or stability control. Recognizing and responding to these warnings could prevent serious harm.
VIN Searchability and Remedy Timeline
NHTSA’s recall details also provide important timing and remedy information that may help injured workers and their attorneys identify whether a defective system played a role in an accident:
- VIN Searchable on NHTSA.gov: Beginning January 12, 2026, the Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on the official NHTSA website. This allows truck owners and injured parties to determine if a specific truck was subject to the recall.
- Owner Notification Date: Vehicle owners are expected to receive recall notification letters by January 19, 2026. These notifications explain the defect and outline the remedy process.
- Remedy: The remedy involves reprogramming the defective ECU with updated software free of charge. The updated software eliminates the faulty power line carrier (PLC) functionality that can contribute to ECU malfunction.
These details allow workers, safety professionals, and attorneys to confirm recall status and link recall defects to specific vehicles involved in injury incidents.
Why Truck‑Area Workers in Texas and California Are Especially at Risk
Workers in Texas and California often operate around trucks in a range of high‑risk environments:
- Construction sites with continuous concrete pours
- Loading docks with frequent truck movements
- Industrial facilities where heavy equipment is in constant use
- Highway work zones where trucks may be parked on inclines
Even when workers follow safety procedures, a defect in critical safety systems — such as the ECU or braking control — can result in sudden and unexpected vehicle movement. When a truck shifts while a worker is outside the cab, the consequences can be devastating.
What Injured Workers Should Do Next
If you were injured in an incident involving a truck that moved unexpectedly due to a parking brake failure, neutral shift, or safety system malfunction, it’s important to take steps to protect your rights. Key actions may include:
- Documenting the truck’s VIN
- Preserving maintenance and recall records
- Collecting witness statements and incident reports
- Seeking medical evaluation and maintaining treatment records
An experienced attorney can help determine whether the truck involved was subject to an NHTSA recall and whether a defective system contributed to the injury.
How the Kuzmich Law Firm Can Help Workers in Texas and California
While this is a national recall, the Kuzmich Law Firm actively represents injured workers in Texas and California who have suffered harm due to defective commercial trucks.
Steve Kuzmich, licensed to practice personal injury law in both Texas and California, has extensive experience handling complex injury cases involving defective vehicle systems, serious workplace injuries, and recalled products. He can help evaluate whether a recalled component played a role in your accident and explain your legal options moving forward.
If you or a loved one were injured by a defective truck parking brake, neutral failure, or malfunctioning safety system, contact the Kuzmich Law Firm, P.C. at 972.434.1555 today to schedule a consultation and protect your legal rights.