Were you injured in a car accident involving a commercial vehicle in Tampa, FL? Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers is here to help you hold the at-fault party accountable. An experienced Tampa commercial vehicle accident lawyer can help you fight to recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and your pain, suffering, and inconvenience.
Accident victims in the Tampa Bay area have trusted our team since we opened our doors back in 1996. We have over 50 years of combined experience handling complex personal injury law matters.
We’ve won over $120 million in settlements and verdicts for injured clients over the years. You can learn more about how we can use our skills to your advantage by contacting our law offices in Tampa, Florida at (813) 686-7588 for a free consultation today.
What Can Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers Do to Help Me If I Was Injured in a Commercial Vehicle Accident in Tampa?
Commercial vehicles are a critical part of today’s economy. We see them everywhere–transporting fuel, picking up garbage, and delivering goods to our homes.
Unfortunately, serious damage can happen when a commercial vehicle crashes into a smaller passenger vehicle or another truck. The resulting injuries can change a victim’s life forever. If you were injured, you deserve the most experienced lawyer possible.
At Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers, our Tampa personal injury attorneys have been recognized with an AV-Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell and a perfect-10 rating from Avvo. We’ve also been listed as Super Lawyers and Tampa Bay’s Top Trial Lawyers.
When you hire us, our lawyers will build a custom-tailored strategy by:
- Locating any evidence that can prove your case
- Working with respected experts who can offer insight into complex aspects of your case
- Demanding fair compensation from all responsible parties
- Negotiating with insurance companies for the full compensation you deserve
Our Tampa personal injury lawyers deal with insurance companies every day. We know the claims process can be frustrating–and we’re here to help make the process as easy as possible for you. All you have to do is call to get started today.
What is a Commercial Vehicle?
There are many different definitions of the term “commercial vehicle.”
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), a commercial motor vehicle is any vehicle that:
- Weighs 10,001 pounds or more
- Is designed or used to transport more than eight passengers, including the driver, for compensation
- Is designed or used to transport more than 15 passengers, including the driver, but not for compensation
- Is used to transport certain types and quantities of hazardous materials
In the most general terms, a commercial vehicle is one that is used to transport passengers or goods, typically for a profit. These vehicles tend to be larger and heavier than typical passenger vehicles.
Examples of vehicles that are considered to be “commercial vehicles” include:
- Semi-trucks, tractor-trailers, and big-rigs
- Fuel trucks
- Cement trucks
- Garbage trucks
- UPS vans and FedEx delivery trucks
- Passenger buses
- Certain types of farm equipment and tractors
- Construction vehicles
- Utility vehicles
Commercial vehicle accidents are not uncommon in the U.S. According to the FMCSA, 4,842 large trucks were involved in fatal accidents in 2020. Another 107,000 large trucks were involved in injury-producing crashes that year.
What is the Value of My Tampa Commercial Vehicle Accident Case?
Various factors can influence the value of your personal injury case, including:
- The nature and severity of your injuries
- Whether there is strong evidence to establish liability
- The identity of the responsible party
- The cost of your medical treatment and the value of your lost wages
- Whether the injury will impact your future earnings or quality of life
- The nature of your suffering during recovery
Trucking companies that own commercial vehicles must also carry commercial insurance. These policies tend to have higher coverage limits. However, commercial insurance adjusters will also work much harder to minimize their liability.
If you were injured in a truck accident, you can find out how much your case is worth by calling an experienced Tampa truck accident attorney. We offer free case reviews, so call our personal injury law firm today to get started.
What Damages Can I Recover After an Accident With a Commercial Vehicle in Tampa, FL?
Damages are classified according to whether they represent economic or non-economic losses under Florida personal injury laws.
Examples of the types of compensation you may be entitled to receive include:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning potential
- Physical therapy
- Rehabilitation
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Depression
- Anxiety
- PTSD
- Diminished quality of life
- Physical disfigurement and scarring
- Damages for wrongful death
Punitive damages may also be available in truck accident cases involving extreme misconduct. If the defendant’s acts were intentional or particularly shocking, our lawyers will help you pursue these damages as punishment.
What Happens if I’m Being Blamed for Causing a Commercial Vehicle Accident in Florida?
Effective March 24, 2023, Florida follows a modified comparative negligence law. Under this system, you cannot recover compensation if you are found to be more than 50% responsible for your own injuries. If your share of fault is less than 51%, your compensation is reduced according to your percentage of fault.
We’ll Fight to Recover Compensation for All of Your Commercial Vehicle Accident Injuries in Tampa, Florida
Trucking accidents in Tampa can cause a wide range of injuries, depending on their severity. Unfortunately, when a large commercial vehicle collides with a smaller car, occupants in the passenger vehicle tend to suffer the most. After all, commercial vehicles can weigh up to 80,000 pounds when fully loaded.
At Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers, we often represent injured clients who have suffered:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Crushing injuries
- Broken bones
- Nerve injuries
- Whiplash injuries
- Soft tissue damage
- Facial injuries
- Head and neck injuries
- Concussions
- Back injuries
- Organ damage
- Burns
- Amputations
- Paralysis
- Catastrophic injuries
- Wrongful death of a loved one
Our Tampa commercial vehicle accident attorneys know that the recovery process can be difficult and painful. We’re here to help in any way we can. Contact us today to arrange a convenient and free case evaluation.
What Causes Most Commercial Vehicle Accidents in Tampa, Florida?
To drive a commercial vehicle in Florida, a truck driver must first obtain a commercial driver’s license. While the requirements are more strict than your typical driver’s license, obtaining a CDL is no safeguard against accidents.
Commercial truck accidents can happen for the same reasons any other car accident might happen, including:
- Distracted driving
- Speeding
- Fatigued drivers
- Failure to yield the right-of-way
- Tailgating
- Aggressive driving
- Dangerous turns
- Passing too closely
- Running a red light or stop sign
- Drunk driving
- Road hazards
- Failure to maintain the vehicle in a safe condition
They can also occur because of factors unique to a commercial vehicle, including:
- Failure to account for the vehicle’s longer stopping times and wide turns
- Failure to check blind spots
- Failure to secure the vehicle’s cargo
- Inexperienced truck drivers
- Violation of FMCSA hours-of-service rules
If you were involved in a commercial vehicle accident, call our law firm for help today. We can help you determine the cause of your accident–and gather the evidence to prove it.
Establishing Liability After a Commercial Vehicle Accident in Florida
Most accident victims must prove negligence to recover compensation.
The four elements of negligence are:
- A legal duty of care
- Breach of duty
- Causation
- Damages
You’ll also have to identify the specific party who is liable for your damages. That could include the vehicle’s driver, the trucking company, a third-party motorist, or even the manufacturer of a defective vehicle.
While you work on recovering, our lawyers will be working to locate evidence to prove your truck accident claim, including:
- Black box recording data, if available
- Dash cam footage
- Footage from traffic lights
- Cell phone records
- Available hours-of-service logs
- Maintenance records
- The driver’s CDL qualifications
- Medical records
- Police reports
- Data from the accident scene
- Witness statements
Owners of commercial vehicle fleets tend to start investigating immediately after an accident. They’ll be looking for evidence to downplay their liability after a crash. Our lawyers in Tampa can do the same for you. Contact us today to schedule a free initial consultation to get started.
How Much Time Do I Have to File a Lawsuit After a Commercial Vehicle Accident in Florida?
The statute of limitations in most Florida personal injury cases is two years. If you don’t file a personal injury lawsuit within two years of the date the accident occurred, you lose your right to seek compensation.
Call a Skilled Tampa Commercial Vehicle Accident Lawyer for a Free Consultation
If you were involved in a commercial vehicle accident, contact Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers today. An experienced Tampa commercial vehicle accident lawyer can help you fight for the maximum compensation you deserve.
