http://www.google.com/notebook/feeds/14489634190446867828/notebooks/BDTaBLAoQ6bb2lOwh/NDS-cLAoQyZ-wlewh2006-11-07T13:47:06.057Z2006-11-09T12:50:27.999Z<div><font face="georgia"><font size="2"><strong><font size="4">Tractor Trailer Accident Information</font></strong><br><br>There are an estimated 500,000 tractor trailer accidents each year nationwide. In 2002, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) reported 130,000 injuries and nearly 5,000 deaths related to large truck accidents. One in every eight traffic fatalities is attributed to collisions with tractor trailers, also known as eighteen wheelers. When the average passenger vehicle weighing 3,596 pounds confronts a commercial tractor trailer weighing as much as 80,000 pounds, the outcome is inevitable. The truck driver usually escapes with minor injuries while the occupants of the passenger vehicle are seldom as lucky - they are either seriously injured or die. Even with these frightening scenarios and statistics, powerful trucking industry lobbyists continue to call for the weakening of truck safety rules and regulations to reap a higher profit.</font><br><br></font></div> <div><font face="georgia" size="2">Although commercial trucking growth is good news for the trucking companies and the nation’s economy, it is bad news for the cars, vans and SUVs that share the road with these potentially lethal giants. There are many different reasons for accidents involving large trucks, and commercial vehicles including:<br><br>- Unrealistic delivery schedules<br>- Long hours<br>- Jackknifing<br>- Inspection failures<br>- Improper loading<br>- Drug and alcohol use<br>- Repeated driving violations<br><br>Driver fatigue and drowsiness are conditions that result in reckless behavior such as failure to keep in the proper lane and running off the road.  Often a truck driver's fatigue is caused by inadequate daily sleep, rather than a complete absence of sleep. A truck driver's extended hours of operation can create a scenario of continuous sleep deprivation by limiting a driver's daily sleep.<br><br>When truck accidents do occur, trucking companies involved in the accident often send representatives to the accident scene to confront accident victims immediately following the event, when they are most vulnerable.<br><br></font></div> <div><font face="georgia" size="2">If you or a loved one have been injured in a tractor trailer accident, you need an experienced lawyer to protect your rights.  Trucking companies involved in the accident often send representatives to the accident scene to confront accident victims immediately following the event, when they are most vulnerable.  Since these companies have attorneys fighting for them, you need someone on your side.</font></div> <div><font face="georgia" size="2"><br></font> </div>CW team