Tampa Truck Accident Lawyer

According to the statistics provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, truck accidents are the cause of around 20% of fatal accidents. Truck accidents aren’t just dangerous. They are also difficult for victims and their families to navigate due to their complexity. There can be multiple defendants and insurance companies involved, serious injuries, and both state and federal laws involved.

It’s imperative that truck accident victims and their families are represented by an experienced and aggressive Tampa truck accident lawyer. If you or a loved one have been seriously injured in a collision with a large commercial vehicle, Franchi Law can help.

A Tampa truck accident lawyer has the experience and the knowledge to help you get the compensation you deserve for your injuries. We offer a free and confidential case evaluation and never charge a fee unless we win. If we don’t successfully settle or win your case, you don’t pay us anything.

Why Truck Accidents Are Serious According To a Tampa Truck Accident Lawyer

Regardless of whether you’re involved in an accident with a semi-truck, a delivery truck, or even a box truck, the accident is likely to be a serious one. There are several reasons this could happen, which depends on how the accident occurred. These reasons include and may not be limited to:

• The truck makes a sudden stop. Their load shifts and it continues to push the truck forward. Because these trucks weigh more than the average passenger vehicle, van, or truck, severe injuries are likely to occur.
• The truck suddenly slows or must make a sharp and sudden lane change because of road construction or an unexpected merge. Because the truck is heavier than the average passenger vehicle, van, or truck, it cannot stop as easily.
• The driver of the truck may be unable to see over a hill or around a bend. They may be unaware of lane closure or another issue. They may swerve or take another evasive maneuver, which causes them to leave their lane suddenly.

The fact is that because these vehicles are much heavier, they cannot stop or maneuver as easily on the road to avoid accidents; and when accidents occur, they are more likely to be serious or catastrophic in nature.

Who Is the Defendant in a Truck Accident?

In many motor vehicle accidents, it may be relatively easy to determine who the defendant or liable person is. Yet, in truck accidents, determining who should be named as the defendant can be complex.

• These vehicles can be owned by the driver or leased
• The driver could be an employee or a trucking company or an independent contractor
• The company or driver that owns the truck may not have performed proper maintenance
• If the owner of the truck pays for another company to perform maintenance on the truck, they may not have properly done their job or a part may have been defective
• If another driver was involved, they may also be liable for the accident

As you can see, there may be one defendant or several defendants. That also means there could be one or more than one insurance company involved. Based solely on this, it is often best for truck accident victims and their families to hire legal representation so that they can focus on healing and their Tampa personal injury lawyer can help ensure that they get the compensation they deserve.

Potential Evidence

Truck accidents are complex because they are subject to multiple bodies of law. In addition to Florida Statutes, federal laws such as those set forth by the FMCSA are also involved. As a result, there are certain objects that may act as crucial evidence for your claim. This includes, and may not be limited to:

• Driver logs
• Maintenance logs
• Black box data
• Hours of Service log, if different from driver log
• Hiring and supervision records
• Cargo records

Should You Settle with the Insurance Company on Your Own?

If there’s only one insurance company involved, should you settle with them on your own? There are two main issues with doing so.

1. If you sign a settlement agreement without having it reviewed by an attorney, you may not receive the full compensation that you’re entitled to receive for your injuries and property damage. They may try to pay you less than what your claim is worth due to being a for-profit company.
2. If you sign a settlement agreement without first allowing an attorney to review it, you may lose valuable legal rights, including the right to file a lawsuit. To ensure that you do not lose any of your legal rights and that you’re treated fairly by the insurance company, have any agreement offered to you reviewed by your attorney before you sign it.

Additionally, you should speak with a Tampa car accident attorney before agreeing to a recorded statement.

Compensation in Truck Accident Claims

As a victim of a truck accident, you may be entitled to substantial compensation, including but not limited to:

• Medical expenses
• Lost wages
• Loss of consortium
• Pain and suffering
• Mental anguish
• Emotional suffering
• Disability
• Scarring and disfigurement

A Tampa Truck Accident Lawyer Who Cares: Franchi Law

Franchi Law’s Tampa truck accident attorneys care about their clients. As experienced and aggressive lawyers, we are passionate about ensuring that our clients get the legal representation they need and the compensation they deserve. If you were involved in a truck accident, schedule your free consultation by calling (813)-800-4LAW today!