In Tampa, car accidents and truck accidents can be catastrophic, and they are usually caused by a driver’s negligence. According to Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FHSMV), 400,000 vehicle accidents occur in the state of Florida every single year, and truck accidents happen to account for 1 in every 10 national highway crashes.
Most of the time, truck accidents occur at intersections, which are everywhere. Intersections have their own stops and lights, which also come with their own set of dangers. Common causes of intersection accidents are failing to yield to the flow of traffic, right of way, speeding, and running red lights – all of which are dangerous.
Truck drivers have a low risk of suffering injury or being killed in the face of an accident in the Tampa Bay Area. Research shows that over 2,500 people were killed in a truck accident in the year 2018, but only 500 of the fatalities were truck drivers.
If you were involved in a serious truck accident at an intersection, then you should seek the advice of a skilled Tampa truck accident lawyer at The Law Place. We have over 75 years of combined experience when it comes to dealing with cases like yours, and we are fully aware of the complexities of a truck accident. If you wish to receive the best legal advice and win fair compensation for the injuries and damages that you might have suffered, then contact us now on (941) 444-4444 for a free consultation.
What Causes a Truck Intersection Accident?
In Tampa, intersections can be difficult for all road users, from cars to motorcyclists, to truck drivers. Many drivers speed as they think that the rules of the road don’t apply to them, but this type of attitude only causes more damage. All road users should slow down to a stop when the yellow traffic light appears. However, some drivers feel that they can accelerate to try and beat the yellow light as it is changing to red, but this is both dangerous and a violation of the rules of the road. Speeding to beat traffic lights is exactly the kind of reckless driving behavior that can cause a T-bone accident, or even result in a head-on collision.
Accidents like this could be avoided if drivers obeyed the rules of the road and adhered to their duty of care. Other factors leading to a Tampa truck accident at an intersection could include:
- Failure to obey traffic signs and signals – It is a serious offense when a driver speeds past a stop sign or runs a red traffic light, as this puts the driver’s own life at risk, and also the lives of other drivers.
- Negligent driving – Dangerous driving such as road rage, cutting off other drivers, and improper lane changes. This also includes speeding, reckless driving, and driving while distracted by a phone, as these are all factors that could possibly result in a fatal accident.
- Under the influence – Truck drivers who are traveling under the influence of drugs or alcohol can cause serious issues.
- Hiring of truck drivers – Trucking companies who hire drivers that have a lack of training or a driver with a previous offense record.
- Pressure – Sometimes, truck drivers experience fatigue as a result of being pressured to drive longer hours without taking essential breaks.
- Rushing – Truck drivers who are rushing to make their deliveries on time, causing the driver to speed.
- Unsecured cargo – Issues can sometimes arise if the cargo is not properly secured and loaded in the back of the truck.
- Failure of vehicle maintenance – Lack of maintenance of the truck, such as looking after safety systems, tires, lights, brakes, and axles, which are all important parts of the vehicle.
- Failure to yield the right of way – If a driver pulls out into traffic or performs a sharp left turn, which cuts off another vehicle, then a disastrous T-bone collision can occur. Accidents like this tend to happen unexpectedly, and sometimes at high speeds, which is even more catastrophic.
- Inclement weather – Harsh weather conditions can be challenging for many drivers, including truck drivers. Water puddles on the road can cause vehicles to hydroplane, which makes it difficult to stop at an intersection. Fog can cause a reduction in visibility, which makes it difficult for drivers to spot other vehicles, signs, and signals. It is important that drivers slow down and drive mindfully in response to weather conditions.
Why Truck Accidents at an Intersection Cause So Much Damage
Tampa trucks are large in size, e.g., 18 wheelers and dump trucks, which means they can cause serious damage if involved in an accident. Some of the most common causes for a truck accident include:
- Trucks are even heavier due to the large goods that they carry from place to place, and they weigh a lot more than an average Tampa car. Because of this reason, a truck can take a longer amount of time to brake, and this makes it harder for a truck driver to avoid an accident if a vehicle suddenly brakes in front of them on the road.
- Fatigue that many truck drivers tend to experience as a result of driving long hours can potentially cause an accident.
- A careless driver trying to overtake a truck driver without being mindful of the truck’s blind spot can cause an accident, especially if the truck driver is trying to change lanes and is unaware of the car on the road.
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Common Injuries of Tampa Truck Accidents at an Intersection
The injuries caused by truck accidents are much more severe than average car accidents due to the weight and size of trucks. A list of common truck injuries includes:
- Crushed or broken bones
- Neck and back traumatic injury
- Spinal cord injury
- Paraplegia
- Quadriplegia
- Herniated discs
- Severe burns
- Internal bleeding and organ damage
- Traumatic brain injury
Following a serious truck accident, you are most likely experiencing the pressure of having medical bills pile up, the discomfort of injuries, and pain and suffering. The costs of medical treatment can accumulate quickly – much more than you can imagine. You also might discover that you are not able to work like you used to. Our team of skilled accident lawyers will fight for your case and ensure that you receive compensation high enough to cover all of your injuries and added expenses.
We’re Florida’s top litigation team with over 75 years of combined experience
Legal Aid for Tampa Truck Accident Victims
The Law Place has a lengthy history of offering legal services for people who were involved in traffic-related accidents, which also includes Tampa truck accidents. We also handle cases with accident crimes such as hit and runs, wrongful death, and abandoning the scene of the accident.
We have a skilled and experienced team of personal injury lawyers who know how to use their knowledge to pursue your claim and win the compensation that you deserve. You can call us at any time, as our phone lines are available 24/7. We can offer you a free consultation, and one of our accident lawyers will give you some quality advice that will help you decide what move to make next.
From the initial call to updates on your case status, we are here to get you answers.
What Should I Do After a Tampa Truck Accident at an Intersection?
If you should ever find yourself in a Tampa truck accident, read the following advice:
- Safety – Firstly, your health and safety are the most important priority. If you are uninjured and able to move, quickly get to a place of safety away from oncoming traffic, and call emergency services immediately. If possible, help other people get to safety too, but only if they are also uninjured. You must always leave an injured person in the same place, as moving them could cause more damage. There is no need to worry too much, though, as emergency services will help them when they arrive. It is also worth noting that you are obliged to call the police to the scene of the crime, as outlined in Florida Statute 316.062.
- Wait – Once you are out of the way of immediate danger, wait in a safe place for the emergency services and the police to arrive. The first responders will take care of the injured, and the police will investigate the area.
- Evidence – If it is safe, you can start collecting evidence from the scene of the accident. Remember to get the name, phone number, registration number, and insurance details of the other driver. Then begin to take pictures of the accident, which includes all vehicles, damages, injuries, and the location. You should also get the contact details of any eyewitnesses to the accident.
- Hospital – Get a check-up at the hospital immediately. You might not think that you are injured, but it is still essential that you get checked out as some injuries will not show signs of having symptoms until days or even weeks later. According to Florida Statute 627.736, you have up to 14 days from the date of the accident to seek medical treatment, and it will also help your claim for compensation if you get checked out as soon as possible.
- Lawyer – If you have completed all of the above steps, then you will be in need of a Tampa truck accident lawyer. Reach out and contact The Law Place, and we will offer you a free consultation. One of our accident lawyers will speak to you on the phone, and you can tell them the details of your case. The sooner that you reach out, the sooner we can start building your claim, negotiating with insurance companies, and dealing with all the necessary paperwork, so that you can focus on your recovery.
Call Your Insurance Company and File a Claim in Tampa, FL.
Florida is a no-fault state, as outlined in Florida Statute 627.7407. It is required for all drivers to have personal injury protection (PIP) insurance, along with their auto insurance. Even if you were not at fault for the accident, you would still have to file a claim with your insurance company for damages. If you choose to hire one of our esteemed lawyers from The Law Place, then they will handle this for you. Otherwise, you yourself will need to contact your insurance company as soon as possible.
Most likely, your insurance company will cover your minor injuries along with a certain amount of compensation, depending on your policy. They will cover damages such as:
- Medical bills.
- Hospital fees.
- Loss of wages and any potential income due to being unable to work.
It is also worth noting that Florida’s no-fault laws also allow you to sue the other party if you or your passengers suffered more serious injuries as a result of the accident. However, in this case, it has to be proven that it was the other party who was at fault for the accident. Usually, this means that you will be suing the trucking company and not an individual.
What Will a Tampa Truck Accident Lawyer Do for Me?
If you were involved in a Tampa commercial truck accident at an intersection, then the trucking company will usually send out their own investigator. Most of the time, they will be searching for ways to avoid fault and lower the chances of the trucking companies’ liability for the accident. If you reach out and get in touch with a skilled Tampa truck accident lawyer from The Law Place, then we can quickly start our own investigation to make sure that the at-fault party does not get away without punishment.
We will take these steps following your accident:
- Quick Response – An investigation will be conducted as soon as possible. Once we get to the scene, we will take photographs, measurements, and collect valuable information.
- Inspect the vehicles – If you are quick to contact us, we can possibly get the opportunity to investigate the vehicle before any repairs are made. We can then take pictures of the damage and search for clues of what went wrong. We can also gather data from the black box in the truck, which stores accident information.
- Reconstruction – The reports from people involved in an accident can vary, and figuring out the truth can be a hard task. Accident reconstruction professionals are useful in this case. They have the ability to look at the crush damage and examine the roadway conditions, such as skid marks, and analyze the situation thoroughly.
Where Does the Fault Lie?
The reality is that truck accidents are often incredibly complex, and sometimes it can be difficult to figure out where the fault lies. There are many different parties that could be held responsible for the accident, and they are all liable for their part.
- The Trucking Company – Many trucking companies hire drivers as independent contractors, as they want to lower their liability for when accidents occur. In the event that an accident is caused by human error, the fault can be placed on the driver. However, the trucking company is still responsible for the maintenance of the vehicle.
- Mechanics – If a truck accident has occurred, it could be due to a mechanical fault. In this case, the mechanics are solely responsible for maintaining the truck, and they could be held liable. Mechanics are freelance, and they are not involved with the trucking companies, which ultimately means they can also face liability.
- Cargo Loaders – It is possible for some trucks to carry weights of up to 40 tonnes. However, if this has not been loaded correctly, then the weight can shift mid-journey and cause a loss of control for the driver. In this situation, the loaders of the truck are held responsible.
How Long Do You Have to File a Personal Injury Suit?
In the state of Florida, it is important that you take time to familiarize yourself with the laws and the statute of limitations if you wish to file a personal injury claim.
All states in America have a law that limits the amount of time that you have to file a lawsuit after an accident.
You have four years to make a personal injury lawsuit from the exact date of the accident, as stated in Florida Statue 95.11. After this time has passed, you are banned from filing a claim for that specific accident. However, it is possible for the law to become more flexible in the event that your injuries prevent you from making a claim in the allocated time.
Nonetheless, you should not wait to start the claim process. If you wait, then it will make it harder for an accident lawyer to build your case and gather evidence. The sooner you begin your claim; the better are your chances of receiving a higher payout for your case.
Contact The Law Place Now
If you were involved in a serious truck accident at an intersection, then you will be in need of a skilled accident lawyer to handle your claim and seek a fair settlement for your injuries or losses. At The Law Place, we have over 75 years of combined experience and knowledge in managing cases like yours, from car accidents to truck accidents. We are here to fight for your rights and ensure that the driver at fault is held responsible for the accident.
Our team of Tampa personal injury lawyers knows the challenges that you must be facing following a truck accident, and they want to help ease the pressure for you. This includes investigating the accident, negotiating with insurance companies, and dealing with the necessary paperwork.
If you wish to receive the best possible representation for your case from a reputable law firm, then reach out and contact us today. A skilled lawyer from The Law Place will manage the case and fill you in every step of the way so that you can focus on your recovery. Our phone lines are open 24/7. Call us now on (941) 444-4444, for a free consultation where we will advise you on the best course of action to take.
