Truck accidents can be dangerous, debilitating, and even life-threatening. Unfortunately, they are all too common in Tampa, Florida, and many Tampa citizens need to know who to contact if they or a loved one are involved in such an accident. Read on for more information about a Tampa truck accident lawyer you can trust.
Truck Accidents in Tampa
Truck accidents are far from uncommon in Tampa and the rest of the Sunshine State. According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, there were approximately 400,000 traffic crashes throughout the state in 2021 alone or more than 1000 per day.
Tampa roadways are also potentially dangerous driving locations due to the prevalence of car accidents and truck accidents. Data from the same organization indicates that there were over 28,000 accidents in Hillsborough County in 2021, as well as 63,000 car and truck crashes throughout the Bay Area.
Hillsborough County in particular is one of the most dangerous in the entire US in terms of driving accidents. For instance, there were 246 car crashes involving a fatality in 2021.
Truck accidents are oftentimes more dangerous compared to accidents involving smaller, lighter cars. Because trucks are heavier than cars like sedans or sports cars, they can pose greater physical risks to vehicle occupants, bicyclists, and pedestrians.
Common truck accident injuries include but are not limited to:
- Concussions and other TBIs (traumatic brain injuries)
- Broken bones
- Spinal damage, as severe as causing paralysis
- Lacerations and severe cuts
What to Do After an Accident
After a truck accident, don’t worry about legal representation or suing the at-fault driver. Instead, get yourself and anyone else you can see to safety, whether that means getting out of the road or driving your vehicle to a safe location nearby.
You should also contact emergency services as quickly as possible. The sooner emergency services get to the scene, the faster they can examine everyone and give injured individuals the attention they need.
Be sure to get examined by a paramedic or other professional. Even if you don’t think you are injured, you may have suffered a hidden injury that you may not notice for several days or weeks. Educated medical professionals can identify these hidden injuries and make sure you get the care you need to recover.
Read more in our blog: When to Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer in Tampa, Florida
What Are Truck Accident Lawyers?
Truck accident lawyers, also known as personal injury lawyers are knowledgeable legal professionals who focus their practice on auto accident laws in Florida. After receiving medical care or being given a clean bill of health, you should contact truck accident lawyers in Tampa at the earliest opportunity.
With these experienced, knowledgeable lawyers on your side, you’ll have a better chance of seeing success for any legal action, including litigation, arbitration or mediation, and more.
How Can a Truck Accident Lawyer Help?
When you hire the right truck accident lawyer in Tampa, you’ll benefit from their help in several ways.
Gather Evidence
Firstly, a truck accident lawyer can gather evidence for you while you recover or while you get back to your daily life. The last thing you need to worry about while recovering in the hospital, for instance, is getting traffic camera footage or interviewing eyewitnesses.
A truck accident lawyer knows the kind of evidence that is important to secure for your case, and how to present that evidence compellingly in court.
Offer Legal Counsel
In addition, a truck accident lawyer can provide you with sound legal counsel from start to finish throughout the legal process. For instance, they may break down:
- Whether you have grounds for a lawsuit. You can sue at-fault drivers in Florida, but certain prerequisites have to be met in terms of negligence
- What suing the at-fault party for a truck accident may involve
- The damages you may receive
- And more
Represent You in Court
If your litigation leads to a court battle, your truck accident lawyer can represent you and present your side of the case effectively. This is an invaluable benefit; in many truck accidents, things can be unclear or difficult to settle.
But experienced lawyers know how to sway a judge or jury to their side and can present gathered evidence in the most effective way possible.
As a side benefit, your truck accident lawyer can negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf if necessary. If, for instance, an insurance company tries not to pay you after experiencing a truck accident, the right lawyers can help you get the insurance payouts you need.
What to Look for in a Tampa Truck Accident Lawyer
To maximize your chances of securing damages and a successful verdict for your case, you should look for a few major attributes in any Tampa truck accident lawyer.
First, be sure to hire a truck accident lawyer with ample experience. Try to find a law firm that has experience representing other truck accident victims in Tampa.
Secondly, hire an lawyer who has the personnel and resources to devote to your case. Don’t hire a lawyer who is already handling too many other cases and who doesn’t have enough time in the day to pay attention to your case details.
Lastly, you should only work with a Tampa truck accident lawyer who operates on a contingency fee basis. A contingency fee policy means that your lawyer won’t charge you any money unless they secure damages or other compensation from your case. That way, you don’t have to worry about paying even more money on top of your medical bills while getting the legal representation you deserve.
Contact Hunter Law Today
As knowledgeable, experienced truck accident laweyrs, Hunter Law is ready to assist with your case. When you contact us, we’ll explore your legal options and help you understand the best path forward for you and your family. Contact us today for a free case evaluation and consultation.