Tampa Semi Truck Accident Lawyer

Every year in Florida, more than 28,000 trucks are involved in accidents, many of which cause serious or fatal injuries. Although passenger vehicles experience more accidents per mile traveled, semi-truck crashes tend to result in more severe outcomes. A skilled Tampa semi truck accident lawyer can help victims of these devastating crashes pursue the justice and compensation they deserve. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, accidents involving semis and other large trucks cause more fatalities than smaller vehicles.

If you or a loved one suffered serious injuries in a semi-truck accident in Tampa or anywhere in Florida, speak with a knowledgeable attorney as soon as possible. You may qualify for significant financial compensation to cover your expenses and losses. By contacting an experienced lawyer early, you ensure your case is thoroughly prepared and strongly presented.

The Dennis Hernandez Tampa semi truck accident lawyers have the experience and skill you need to identify all the parties responsible for the truck driver’s negligence, prove negligence and fight for and win the substantial settlement or award you deserve for the pain, suffering and losses you have suffered. We have helped hundreds of Florida families get the compensation they need and deserve following a serious accident and welcome the opportunity to put our experience and expertise to work for you.

For a free consultation, call us today at 855-529-3366, or fill out the FREE CASE EVALUATION form on this page. We will discuss your case with you, help you understand your legal rights and advise you on the best course of action. All consultations and legal services are free until we win your case.

What Are Common Types of Semi Truck Accidents in the Tampa Area?

A Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration study on the causes of crashes involving semis and other large trucks found that the injuries in these accidents were often very serious. In about half of the large truck accidents where there were injuries, those injuries were incapacitating or fatal.

In semi truck accidents involving at least two vehicles, the most common types of crashes involve one vehicle rear ending another or one sideswiping another when they are moving in the same direction. Other common types of accidents involving semi trucks include:

Crashes that happen when the semi or the other vehicle is turning
A collision between a semi and another vehicle when they intersect while driving straight ahead
Sideswipes when the semi and other vehicle are going in opposite directions
Head-on collisions

All of these types of accidents involving semis can cause serious, life-threatening injuries. Accident victims often endure severe pain, multiple medical procedures and a lengthy recovery/adjustment period.

The semi truck accident lawyers at Dennis Hernandez Injury Attorneys understand these difficulties and want to help. If you’ve been involved in a serious truck accident, please do not hesitate to contact us at 855-529-3366, or fill out the FREE CASE EVALUATION form on this page.

What Causes Semi Truck Accidents in the Tampa Area?

Negligence by the semi driver or owner often causes serious accidents. Common examples of driver negligence include operating the vehicle while drowsy or distracted. Owners or operators can also contribute to accidents when they fail to conduct proper maintenance or complete required inspections. The truck manufacturer can also be negligent if design or manufacturing flaws led to the truck malfunctioning and crashing.

The main causes of semi accidents in Tampa and throughout the U.S. include:

Driving while drowsy

Although laws limit how many hours a truck driver may drive, many still exceed those limits. They continue driving long after fatigue sets in. If a semi driver starts to nod off or falls asleep at the wheel, the results can be catastrophic. Even when they stay awake, lack of sleep affects their alertness, coordination, and judgment. These impairments increase the risk of serious accidents. According to the CDC, sleep deprivation can affect drivers in ways very similar to alcohol impairment.
Driving while distracted

Accidents involving all types of vehicles often occur because a driver is distracted by a phone or something else that pulls their attention from the road. When the distracted driver is behind the wheel of a semi truck, the risk of serious injury increases. That’s due to the large size and heavy weight of the vehicle. Despite the danger, many semi truck drivers still use their phones or other devices while driving. This reckless behavior puts both the driver and everyone else on the road in danger.
Inadequate maintenance

Some of the most common causes of accidents related to improper maintenance or inspection include defective tires, wheels, or brakes, overloading and insecure loads. Federal law requires trucking companies to inspect, repair, and maintain semi trucks and keep detailed records of the work performed. However, mechanics and technicians sometimes make mistakes or skip essential tasks. When they fail to complete inspections or perform repairs properly—or neglect them entirely—their negligence can cause serious accidents. In such cases, the responsible party may face legal consequences for allowing an unsafe truck on the road.

Who Is Responsible for Semi Truck Accidents in the Tampa Area?

If a semi accident seriously injured you or caused a loved one’s death, you may be entitled to financial compensation. This compensation can help cover the expenses and losses related to the accident. If the semi driver or another person or company acted negligently and caused or contributed to the crash, Florida law gives you the right to file a claim. You can hold the negligent party partly or fully responsible for the damages you’ve suffered.

A Dennis Hernandez Tampa semi truck accident lawyer has the experience, knowledge, and resources to investigate your accident thoroughly. Our team works to identify all negligent parties. Unlike standard car crashes, determining fault in a semi truck accident is more complex. That’s because several different individuals or entities may be legally responsible. The negligent party could be one or more of the following:

The driver of the semi
The trucking company that owns the semi
The manufacturer of the semi or the truck’s parts, such as the brakes
Whoever is responsible for repairing and maintaining the semi
The owner of the cargo the semi was carrying

The experienced Dennis Hernandez truck accident lawyers will investigate your accident thoroughly and identify all culpable parties. We are committed to helping our injured clients get the full, fair compensation they deserve for all the damages they have suffered.

What Kind of Compensation May Be Available From This Kind of Lawsuit?

There are two different types of compensation available to people injured because of a tampa semi truck accident: economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages compensate you for specific monetary costs associated with your truck accident injuries, including:

Current Medical Expenses: These may include costs for emergency room care, hospital stays, diagnostic tests, surgery, physical therapy, assistive devices, prescriptions, and follow-up visits with healthcare providers.
Future Medical Expenses: This compensation covers long-term care you may need due to your accident injuries. It includes future treatments, ongoing therapy, and other anticipated medical needs.
Lost Income: You may recover the wages you lost between the date of your injury and the resolution of your claim. This includes missed workdays, reduced hours, or unpaid time off.
Diminished Earning Capacity: If your injuries affect your ability to earn in the future, you may qualify for compensation. This applies when your injuries limit your job opportunities or reduce your income potential.

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages compensate you and/or your family for non-financial, intangible losses experienced because of the accident injuries. These damages include:

Physical Pain and Suffering: This includes compensation for the physical pain suffered due to the injuries from the crash. Attorneys consider the type of injuries you suffered, the pain you endured, and how long your suffering is expected to last when determining your compensation.
Disfigurement or Scarring: If your truck accident injuries leave you permanently disfigured or scarred, you may receive compensation for the lasting impact on your appearance and quality of life.
Mental Anguish: This includes compensation for the emotional pain you suffer because of the truck accident. When calculating your compensation, attorneys will consider the depression, stress, grief, and other emotional suffering the accident caused.
Loss of Consortium: Spouses, parents, and minor children may receive compensation for losing the injured loved one’s services, support, guidance, and companionship.

If you lost a loved one in a semi truck accident, you may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit to seek compensation for the loss of your loved one’s affection, companionship, and support and for medical and funeral expenses.

The experienced Dennis Hernandez Tampa Semi Truck Accident Lawyers will assess all of the economic and non-economic damages you have suffered and fight for the full, fair compensation you deserve. We will not settle for anything less or back down from fighting for a fair award in court.

How an Experienced and Dedicated Dennis Hernandez Lawyer Can Help You

Each Dennis Hernandez truck accident lawyer works tirelessly to help victims of semi accidents pursue justice and secure the compensation they need. As your legal team, we will conduct a thorough investigation to identify every at-fault party. We will also gather the necessary evidence to clearly prove their negligence.

The trucking company and their insurer usually investigate the crash scene right away. They do this to collect evidence and challenge your claim. Our team will respond immediately to stay ahead of them. Our team will inspect the vehicles, document the accident scene, interview witnesses, review official reports, and carefully evaluate your medical records. We’ll also consult with experts and take steps to ensure no crucial evidence is lost or destroyed.

To protect your interests, we negotiate aggressively with insurance companies to secure a settlement that fully and fairly compensates you for your damages. If necessary, we will confidently take your case to trial and fight to win in court. You can count on us to stand by your side throughout the entire process, vigorously defending your right to the full compensation you deserve. At Dennis Hernandez, we never back down!

For a free consultation, call us today at 855-529-3366, or fill out the FREE CASE EVALUATION form on this page. All consultations, advice and legal services are free until we WIN YOUR CASE.