Believe it or not, every 16 minutes, a person is injured or dies in an accident involving an 18-wheeler, tractor trailer, or semi-truck.

The trucking industry is a vital component of the US economy, raking in about $255.2 billion per year. Tractor trailers give companies of all sizes the ability to ship essential goods such as groceries, construction supplies, and business equipment and machinery efficiently. Recent reports have shown that approximately 3.3 million truckers are employed on America's roadways. A lot of these men and women own their vehicles and function as independent contractors. A variety of enterprises, from distributors to supermarkets, count on truckers in order to maintain their prosperous businesses.

Relying so heavily on trucking to keep the economy afloat often comes with great expense; many truckers are forced to battle drowsiness and overbooked schedules, which contributed to an estimated 140,000 truck accidents in 2006. Of those, fewer than 5,000 ended up being fatal crashes, and 350 of them occurred in the State of Florida alone. Studies have proven that in over 80 percent of these cases, the truck driver is at fault. However at Morgan & Morgan, we have a dedicated team willing to do whatever it takes to compensate the truckers for any damages they may have sustained.

If you have been involved in a tractor trailer accident, it is important to consult with a truck accident attorney right away.

In most cases, we can assist in getting much of your lost wages, medical bills, property damage, and other related costs reimbursed to you. We will also help you deal with your own auto insurance company as far as making any necessary claims in addition to handling your case against the noncommercial driver's insurance company. Even if you are unsure whether you are at fault, please consult with us immediately.

The truck accident lawyers at Morgan & Morgan litigate numerous lawsuits to trial involving Truck Accidents and other personal injury cases annually nationwide. We are extremely proud of the results that we have obtained. We have obtained substantial trucking accident settlements and favorable verdicts for our clients.

A number of Truck Accidents happen because people sharing the road with these big rigs are unsure how to maneuver around vehicles of such magnitude. However, the majority of these collisions are caused by truck driver negligence or poor vehicle maintenance.

Here are the most common causes:

Although there are so many variables working against a truck driver, there are a number of safety precautions that can reduce the perils associated with this inherently dangerous occupation. Here are some tips:

Make sure you are fit to drive.

The most important part of a truck in motion is the driver. Always be sure you are well-rested before venturing out on the road. Also, remember to eat well and exercise. This will improve your awareness and help you stay focused. Don't forget that a violation of the driving code can put your job—and even your life—in jeopardy. One simple rule to keep in mind is if you are tired, don't get behind the wheel.

Stay on top of vehicle maintenance and repairs.

Scan your truck for flaws prior to a trip, and check the brakes on a regular basis. Educate yourself on brake inspection and indentifying safety issues. Repair what you can, and take the truck to be serviced by a professional for the more complicated problems in order to avoid endangering yourself and other innocent people.

Beware of the blind spots.

Drivers who share the road with you may not realize the severity of your truck's blind spots. Make a conscious effort to keep track of vehicles in your "no-zone," or the areas that other smaller vehicles are seemingly invisible in your side and rearview mirrors. Accidents are more likely to take place in these locations; in fact, 33 percent of crashes involving tractor trailers and cars occur in the no-zone.

Reduce your speed in work zones.

Be on the lookout for construction areas. These workers typically occupy the streets and highways during the day, so proceed with caution as you invade this space. Similar to blind spots, work zones also contribute to around a third of accidents featuring tractor trailers. Take your time, and keep your distance from the road's shoulder.

Do not tailgate.

Leave ample distance between your truck and vehicles traveling up ahead. Regardless of the circumstances, the tailgater is almost always to blame for the accident. Large, heavy trucks need more room to stop than smaller automobiles. Use your high driving perspective to your advantage to predict situations that could require abrupt braking.

Put on your seatbelt.

Fasten your belt snugly to stay secure and in control in the event of a crash. Truck drivers are often killed in accidents when they are ejected from the vehicle. A seatbelt will not only keep a driver firmly in place, but it could be the difference in the lives of people in other vehicles as well because it allows the driver to keep the vehicle on the right path and hopefully evade other drivers.

Learn to drive defensively.

Take the necessary steps to steer clear of angry or aggressive drivers. Around 66 percent of car accident deaths are caused by some aspect of aggressive driving. Keep a distance of a few car lengths in between your front bumper and the rear bumper of the car in front of you. Whenever you increase the speed of the tractor trailer, you must increase the amount of cushion in between. If possible, maintain a steady speed because upping your pace will raise the odds of being in an accident. It can also confuse other drivers if you continuously speed up or slow down as to what your motive is.

Team up with other motorists.

Be a professional on and off the highway by:

Your ambition to take part in public safety education and set a good example on the asphalt can help change people's overall impression of truck drivers.