Tampa Truck Accident Lawyer

Were You Injured by a Negligent Truck Driver?

Truck accidents can shatter lives in an instant. The sheer size and weight of these 18-wheelers, big rigs and semi-trucks often causes victims to suffer severe or catastrophic injuries. In the aftermath, injured victims and their families have overwhelming challenges to face, but there is no need to go through this difficult time alone. Contacting a lawyer in the early days after a truck accident is a vital step toward ensuring the successful recovery of your medical costs, lost wages and other losses.

At Chris Ligori & Associates, we understand that no amount of compensation can change what has happened to you. However, it can help you to get the treatment that you need so you can begin to move forward.

Our legal team has extensive experience managing truck accident cases and a proven track record of securing favorable outcomes for our clients. We have recovered millions of dollars in compensation for truck accident victims, including a $650,000 settlement for a client who was injured in a truck collision.

Were you injured by a negligent truck driver? If so, our knowledgeable Tampa-based truck accident lawyers are available 24/7 to help. Learn if you have legal options in a free, no-obligation initial consultation.  If we represent you, there are no upfront fees to pay.

How do I Know if i have a truck accident case?

Every truck accident is unique, and whether you have a case depends on many factors. Since Florida is a no-fault state, however, you will need to file a claim through the personal injury protection (PIP) portion of your own insurance policy first.

That said, the maximum PIP payout per person is just $10,000. When trucks collide with smaller SUVs, vans and especially passenger vehicles, the damages to the occupants of these vehicles are often significant. If you have exhausted that coverage and suffered severe or extensive injuries, you may very likely be eligible to pursue further compensation through a truck accident case.

To gain insight into your situation, an attorney may ask you questions about what happened, such as:

• Was the truck driver responsible for causing your crash?
• Did your vehicle sustain significant damages or is totaled?
• Do you have severe or extensive injuries resulting from the crash?
• Did you seek immediate medical attention for your truck crash injuries?
• Have you exhausted the benefits provided by your PIP insurance?
• Were there any witnesses who saw the truck accident happen?
• Are there any surveillance traffic cams that may have captured the crash?
• And more

Multiple factors can impact your ability to file a lawsuit, which is why speaking to an attorney early on could greatly benefit your claim. Our experienced Tampa truck accident lawyers, and we also offer a free initial consultation to discuss your situation and review your potential legal options.

Not sure if you have a case? Our firm offers a free initial consultation to discuss your situation. You can do this meeting by phone, secure video conferencing or in our office. You can find out if you have a case and get answers to legal questions you may have regarding your claim.

How much could my tampa truck crash case be worth?

There is no singular answer for how much a truck accident case could be worth. There are many factors that can impact the total value of a case, including these key elements:

• Medical Expenses:  The total of all your current and future medical costs resulting from the truck accident will be added to the value of your claim. These costs include any hospital bills, prescription medication, physical therapy, rehabilitation and more.
• Lost Wages: If your injuries were severe and caused you to miss work, you may be eligible to recover your lost wages. If your injuries impact your ability to earn wages in the future, that will also be taken into consideration.
• Pain and Suffering: This compensation provides for the physical pain and emotional distress you suffered as a result of the truck accident and may continue to suffer for some time.
• Property Damage: The costs to repair or replace your vehicle and any other personal property damaged in the accident.
• Severity of Injuries: Injuries that are more extensive often lead to a higher claim value due to increased medical costs, a longer recovery time and the overall impact on your life.
• Liability: This is the degree of fault attributed to each party involved in the accident. Florida drivers are subject to the state’s comparative negligence rule. If crash scene investigators find you are partially at fault, then your compensation will be reduced by that percentage.
• Insurance Coverage: The limits of the insurance policies involved also have an impact on the potential compensation you may be able to recover.

An experienced truck accident lawyer in Tampa will be able to provide a more accurate estimate of your claim’s value after reviewing the unique details of your situation. If you have a valid case, your attorney can also help you navigate the legal process and protect your legal rights, ensuring you receive full and fair compensation.

Who May Be Liable for My Truck Accident Injuries?

Determining liability for a truck accident requires a thorough investigation of the crash scene and other evidence. Liability may fall to one or more of the following parties:

• Truck Driver: Truck driver negligence may often include speeding, tailgating, distracted driving, drowsy driving or driving under the influence of drugs, alcohol or other substances.
• Trucking Company: Companies that own the trucks and employ the drivers can be held liable for poor hiring practices, insufficient training or neglecting vehicle maintenance and inspections.
• Truck Owner: The truck owner, who might also be the driver, can be held liable for accidents caused by a failure to maintain or repair the vehicle.
• Manufacturer or Auto Parts Maker: Sometimes a truck or its parts may malfunction, such as brake failure, tire blowouts, or steering issues. If this failure is the result of a defective product, the manufacturer or auto parts maker may be liable.
• Cargo or Loading Company: Companies responsible for loading and securing cargo must do so correctly. If shifting cargo or improper loading causes an accident, these companies can be held liable.

Proving fault in a truck accident can be challenging without the expertise of a skilled truck accident attorney. We know how to investigate these cases and gather the evidence needed to establish liability.

What Are Some Common Causes of Truck Crashes in Tampa?

Truck accidents are very different that collisions involving smaller passenger vehicles. Not only are these semi-trucks heavier and larger, but they are also more difficult to operate. Truck drivers are required to follow strict federal regulations, and they are also held to a higher standard than drivers of motor vehicles.

Despite the stricter regulations and driving standards, truck crashes still occur. Some of the most common causes of truck crashes include:

• Driver fatigue
• Speeding or reckless driving
• Distracted driving
• Driving under the influence of alcohol
• Failure to check blind spots
• Driving while impaired by drugs or other substances
• Unsecured or improperly loaded cargo
• Equipment malfunction or failure
• Failure to properly maintain vehicles
• Following other vehicles too closely (tailgating)
• Inadequate training of truck drivers
• Weather conditions
• Road hazards or poor road conditions

How Is Liability Determined for a Tampa Truck Crash Case?

Truck accidents are far more complicated than collisions involving one or two smaller vehicles, and liability for the resulting damages is rarely straightforward.

Your lawyer will want to investigate available evidence as soon after the crash as possible. Delays could result in some evidence, like surveillance traffic cam footage, to get overwritten. Other evidence, like truck driver logs, could get lost or destroyed.

Additional evidence that is critical to a truck accident case includes the police or accident report, credible witness statements and the vehicle’s maintenance records. The data from the trucks event data recorder (EDR) may also provide considerable insight about what the driver was doing in the minutes to seconds leading up to the crash.

How Will An Attorney Determine if there Was Negligence?

All drivers owe a legal duty to use a reasonable level of caution to prevent harm to others. That standard of caution is generally compared to the attention and prudence a typical, rational person would exercise to prevent causing harm in similar circumstances.

To succeed in a truck accident claim, your lawyer must be able to prove the defendant was negligent by establishing these elements:

• Duty of Care: The defendant owed a duty of care to the plaintiff.
• Breach of Duty: The defendant breached that duty through action or inaction.
• Causation: The breach directly caused the accident.
• Damages: The plaintiff suffered damages, like medical costs or lost wages, as a result of the accident.

In addition to evidence of the crash, your medical records will come into play. Attorneys for the truck driver will want to see whether you were diagnosed with any injuries or followed up with treatments after the crash. Your medical records help to link your injuries to the crash that caused them.

Looking for Tips on How To Avoid a Truck Accident?

It is common to feel intimidated when sharing the road with bigger vehicles, like semi-trucks. To help you navigate the road with more confidence, we have some tips to help maximize your safety when driving around large commercial vehicles:

• Maintain a Safe Distance: Always keep a safe distance behind a semi-truck. Trucks need more time to stop, and following too closely increases the risk of rear-end collisions.
• Avoid Blind Spots: Semi-trucks have large blind spots, especially on the sides and rear. If you cannot see the truck driver’s mirrors, they cannot see you.
• Pass with Caution: When passing a truck, do so quickly and safely. Ensure you have enough time and space to overtake the truck, and avoid lingering in that vehicle’s blind spots.
• Never Cut Trucks Off: Trucks require more distance to stop due to their size and weight. Cutting off a truck can lead to serious accidents.
• Use Turn Signals Early: Signal your intentions well in advance to give truck drivers plenty of time to react.
• Be Patient: Trucks accelerate and maneuver more slowly than smaller vehicles. Be patient and avoid aggressive driving behaviors.
• Give Trucks Room to Turn: Trucks need extra space to make wide turns. Stay back and give them the room they need to maneuver.
• Stay Alert: Pay close attention to the road and the behavior of nearby trucks. Avoid distractions like texting or using your phone while driving.
• Watch for Weather Conditions: Trucks can be more affected by weather conditions, like wind and rain. Be extra cautious when driving near trucks in bad weather.
• Respect Speed Limits: Follow the speed limits and adjust your speed according to road conditions. Speeding around trucks can be dangerous due to their longer stopping distances.

By following these tips, you can help ensure your safety and the safety of others when driving around semi-trucks.

Call Chris Ligori & Associates for Legal Help Today

At Chris Ligori & Associates, our experienced truck accident lawyers have a deep understanding of the unique challenges truck accident cases present. We have a proven track record of successfully representing clients and securing favorable outcomes.

If you have been injured in a truck accident, seeking legal advice promptly is vital. Attorneys need time to investigate your crash, build your case and negotiate for the compensation you deserve.

Our firm is committed to providing the highest level of legal support to truck accident victims in Tampa and surrounding areas. You do not have to face this challenging time alone.