Trucking plays a vital role in the American economy. The American commerce relies on long haulers to ship goods from one part of the country to the other in order to meet the expectations of supply and demand. Although the trucking industry has existed in America for decades, the dangers that come along with it continue to exist. These trucks, weighing more than 40 tons and traveling at speeds comparable to most cars on the highway, can cause major disasters, especially on the highway. It has been reported by the Department of Transportation that more than 500,000 trucking accidents occur in America every year, causing more than 5,000 fatalities.

Accidents involving large trucks can occur for a number of reasons. The most frequent causes of trucking accidents take place for the following reasons:

•    Driver error, lack of attention, and fatigue.

Often times truckers are on the road for long hours at once, sometimes spanning a day or two. Truckers can easily lose focus and become tired, sometimes causing them to swerve quickly or completely lose control of the truck.

•    Excessive speeds due to delivery deadlines.

Truck drivers are often on a very strict time schedule to ensure the goods they are delivering reach the appropriate place on time. Drivers may exceed truck speed limits and disregard the laws of the road in order to reach the destination in a timely manner.

•    Equipment malfunctions.

Because large trucks carry heavy loads, they require strap-down methods to contain the product being carried by the truck. Often times, these loads are not strapped in properly, can become loose, and the heavy product being transported enters the roadways, causing major destruction to surrounding vehicles in the path.

•    Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

As with any profession, some truck drivers resort to drugs and alcohol either to keep themselves entertained or due to some form of addiction. When a driver is under the influence carrying voluminous amounts of heavy machinery, the outcome can be deadly.

All drivers, especially on the highway, should be cautious while on the roadways. Often times, a driver cannot help the actions of another driver but engaging in defensive driving and looking out for any suspicious movements could save your life. If you or a loved one has been injured or killed as a result of a trucking accident, you may be entitled to recover compensation for your losses.

Cline Farrell Christie Lee & Caress are personal injury attorneys in Indianapolis helping those who have been injured by a distracted driver or other type of traffic accident. Visit their website at www.cfclc-law.com for more information.