Truck drivers have a very important job delivering goods across Florida and the rest of the United States. Unfortunately, as Reuters reports, there is a significant shortage of qualified truckers in the country and the shortage is only likely to get worse in the coming years.
With too few experienced truckers, trucking companies may be forced to hire drivers with less training or may encourage the drivers they have to work longer hours. Both of these things can increase the risk of truck collisions. Of course, a truck accident can happen at any time no matter how knowledgeable the trucker is, especially if the driver is negligent or careless about following the rules of the road.
When a truck accident happens, victims could be hurt or killed. The truck driver and potentially the trucking company may be held legally liable. Steinger, Greene & Feiner can help victims of truck accidents in the Tampa area take legal action after a crash. Call today to schedule a free consultation and learn more: (813) 553-5352.
Why Truck Accidents Are Often Worse Than Other Accidents
Trucks may weigh as much as 80,000 pounds, according to federal regulations. Since the typical passenger vehicle weighs less than 5,000 pounds, the impact from a truck crash usually has very serious consequences for motorists in passenger cars. Those involved in truck accidents could lose their lives or could suffer serious and permanent injuries like spinal cord damage and traumatic brain injury.
After a truck crash, the person or the company responsible for the collision should compensate the victim for:
- Necessary medical treatment expenditures to treat injuries caused in the collision, including ongoing treatment
- Wage losses, including sick days, vacation days or an ongoing loss of income due to permanent injuries limiting their ability to work
- Pain and suffering resulting from injuries caused by the truck crash
- Emotional distress, including symptoms of depression, anxiety, insomnia and post-traumatic stress disorder
Truck companies typically have larger insurance policies than individual drivers as well as more available funds to cover losses. Because of agency rules that make employers responsible for their employees, trucking companies are frequently liable when their drivers cause a collision. An attorney who represents truck accident clients can help victims to determine who may be sued after a crash.
If the truck accident is a deadly one, surviving family members of the victims may also pursue a claim for wrongful death losses.
What to Do After a Truck Accident in Tampa
After a truck accident, it’s important to call for medical attention immediately. If you can reach your cell phone and you aren’t seriously injured, call 9-1-1 and be sure to request an ambulance. Check yourself and anyone else in the car for serious injuries. If anyone is injured, don’t move them! Otherwise, try to get yourself to a safe place, such as the shoulder of the road.
If possible, take as many photos as you can of the car, your injuries, road conditions, nearby traffic signs and signals, and anything else you may think is important. When the ambulance arrives, be sure to get checked out, and follow the orders of the paramedics — even if it means going to the hospital.
You will likely need to give a police report. Give only basic, factual information; don’t speculate about what happened. You will also need to call your insurance company and report the accident, even if you weren’t at fault. All you need to tell them is your policy information, when and where the accident happened, and the insurance information for the truck driver.Call Steinger, Greene & Feiner at (813) 553-5352 or contact us online to schedule your free, confidential, no obligation consultation with a Tampa personal injury attorney today or visit us at our offices: 5440 Mariner St, Unit 211, Tampa, FL 33609.
Finally, call a Tampa truck accident lawyer as soon as possible. Your lawyer can gather evidence and build a strong case to show that you deserve compensation.
Recovering Damages After a Truck Accident
The compensation, or damages, you may be entitled to after a truck accident are generally divided into two categories: economic and noneconomic. Economic damages compensate you for the real money you lost because of the wreck. This can include medical bills, lost wages, property damage, out-of-pocket expenses, and more.
Noneconomic damages, on the other hand, are more ambiguous. These damages compensate you for the intangible losses you suffered, such as pain and suffering, mental anguish, permanent disability, and more.
Your Tampa truck accident lawyer will work with a variety of experts like accident reconstructionists and psychologists to help build your case and show you deserve compensation.
Steinger, Greene & Feiner has successfully used these methods to obtain favorable outcomes for our clients, including the following past case results:
- $8.1 MILLION Truck Accident Verdict for a client rear-ended by a wrecker truck, causing injuries that made him unable to work in his prior occupation for the rest of his life.
- $4.7 MILLION Truck Accident Verdict for a client injured in a collision caused by the defendant’s lack of reasonable care regarding compliance with federal safety regulations for trailers and Florida traffic laws.
- $1.4 MILLION Truck Accident Verdict for a father injured by an 18-wheeler that was driving too fast to stop in time.
How Much Can Steinger, Greene & Feiner Get You?
Truck accident cases may be much more complex than typical car accident claims due to the severity of the collision; the multiple potential defendants and the special federal regulations applicable to truckers. When a trucker breaks the rules of the road, it can be easier to prove negligence. You need a lawyer who knows truck accident cases inside and out to help you put together your case or to negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf.
Steinger, Greene & Feiner attorneys have decades of collective experience representing victims of truck accidents. Since 1997, our legal team has been there for collision victims. Call today to schedule a FREE consultation with an experienced lawyer and learn more about how we can help with your case: (813) 553-5352. Our Tampa personal injury lawyers fight relentlessly for your settlement and, when necessary, aren’t afraid to take a case in front of a judge and jury.
Client Testimonials
5440 Mariner Street UNIT 211, Tampa
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I would highly recommend using this firm. They are kind, caring, and professional in every aspect of their job. They communicate well throughout the process and were always willing to put my needs before their bottom dollar. I cannot Thank … More them enough for how well they treated me. I honestly walked away from this feeling like I mattered to them and for me that was important. Lastly, might I add that LeAnn is the best... She made the process easy -
I contacted this group of Attorneys to help me with a accident I was in, the Insurance company told me they weren't going to pay my hospital bills. They have always kept intouch with me, checking in to see how I was doing. Kept … More me informed as to what was going on.They have let me know what was going was don and let me know exactly what was going on. They answered my questions and informed me as to what was going on. My settlement was great and the check was delivered. You need help they are always there for their clients.
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Thank you so so so much. I couldn't have asked for a better place. Went to another well known firm and they had no time for their clients. But Chandler immediately went to work, getting info and documents and her and her team of WELL … More organized people were on top of things. I even received more than I expected and was able to work out a plan for my life after experiencing the trauma and aftermath of my situation. Thank you to this firm. I'm able to get back to my life and move forward. Kind, courteous, and professional and they care that you get what you have coming.
