Were you or a loved one injured in an accident involving a commercial vehicle in Tampa, FL? You may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Contact an experienced Tampa commercial vehicle accident lawyer at Catania and Catania Injury Lawyers to protect your legal rights.
We have decades of experience and personal injury law. And we’ve recovered over $500 million in compensation for accident victims across the Tampa Bay area.
If you were injured, don’t wait to take legal action. Call (813) 222-8656 or contact our law offices in Tampa, Florida, to schedule a free consultation today.
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How Catania and Catania Injury Lawyers Can Help After a Commercial Vehicle Accident in Tampa
Commercial vehicle accident claims are more complex than ordinary car accident cases. Multiple parties may be liable for damages–and large commercial insurance policies may be on the line. You can count on large trucking companies to fight your claim after a commercial vehicle accident. You deserve an experienced attorney who will stand up for your rights.
At Catania and Catania Injury Lawyers, our Tampa personal injury attorneys have over 28 years of experience. Our law firm has been recognized among the Best Attorneys of America and earned a preeminent AV-rating from Martindale-Hubbel.
When you hire our Tampa personal injury lawyers, we will:
- Conduct a detailed investigation into the crash to determine causation and identify at-fault parties
- Accurately assess the value of your claim
- Challenge any attempts by the insurance company to blame you
- Negotiate with the insurance companies to recover a fair settlement
Call our Florida board-certified trial lawyers for a free consultation today. We work on a contingency fee basis, so you can get the experienced legal representation you deserve with no up-front costs.
How Common Are Commercial Vehicle Accidents in Tampa?
At least 5,005 large trucks were involved in fatal crashes in 2019. Large trucks account for only 4% of all registered vehicles–yet were involved in 10% of all fatal crashes in the U.S.
Accidents involving commercial motor vehicles are all-too-common in Florida. The following commercial vehicles cause accidents throughout the state and country:
- Amazon delivery trucks and vans
- FedEx vehicles
- UPS trucks
- Semi-trucks
- Tractor-trailers
- Construction vehicles
- Dump trucks
- Garbage trucks
- Box trucks
- Tanker trucks
- Cargo vans
- Delivery vans
If you were hurt, call our law offices to learn more about an attorney client relationship.
What is My Tampa Commercial Vehicle Accident Case Worth?
It’s common for clients to wonder how much their case is worth. The answer often determines whether a client wants to take legal action or not.
The honest answer is that no two truck accident cases are alike. Your lawyer will have to review the circumstances of your accident and injury to determine the fair value of your personal injury claim.
However, some facts are more important than others. Relevant factors often include:
- The type of injury you’ve suffered
- Whether you’re expected to make a full recovery
- The value of your lost earnings
- The cost of your medical treatment, including anticipated future costs
- The impact of the injury on your day-to-day activities
- Your mental and emotional trauma
One thing is certain: you can’t rely on the insurance company’s estimate. Insurance companies are in business to make a profit. They maximize profits by paying as little as possible for claims.
In commercial vehicle accident claims, a commercial insurance policy will be involved. That means higher dollar insurance coverage limits. It also means you’ll likely face even more resistance from the insurance company when it comes time to pay.
Would you like an experienced Tampa commercial vehicle accident attorney to analyze your case? At Catania and Catania Injury Lawyers, we offer a free case review. Call us today to learn more about how we can help assess the value of your case.
What Types of Damages Are Available to Commercial Vehicle Accident Victims?
Depending upon the circumstances, you may be entitled to a range of damages under Florida personal injury laws. The types of damages you receive should account for both your economic and non-economic losses.
Your economic damages, or financial costs, may include:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Temporary or permanent disability, or reduced earning potential
- Physical therapy
- Rehabilitation
- Property damage
Non-economic damages can vary widely from case to case. Examples of non-economic damages include:
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Diminished quality of life
- Physical disfigurement and scarring
- Anxiety
- Depression
- PTSD
- Loss of consortium
If the accident was fatal, you may be entitled to damages for wrongful death. Those damages may include funeral costs, loss of financial support, lost inheritance, and more.
Can I Recover Damages If I’m Being Blamed for a Commercial Vehicle Accident in Florida?
You’re entitled to seek damages even if you’re partly to blame for the crash. Florida follows a pure comparative fault system when multiple parties share responsibility for an accident.
As the victim, you can recover damages from anyone who was responsible for your commercial vehicle accident. However, your damages will be reduced in proportion to any blame assigned to you.
Insurance companies go to great lengths to shift blame to the victim. This tactic allows them to reduce your payout. A personal injury lawyer can help if you’re being blamed for an accident. Give us a call for legal advice today to learn more about how we can help you fight back against these and other insurance tactics.
We’ll Fight to Recover Compensation for All of Your Commercial Vehicle Accident Injuries
Injuries caused by commercial vehicle crashes are often more serious than auto accident injuries. Commercial vehicles are large, heavy, and may be carrying dangerous cargo.
At Catania and Catania Injury Lawyers, we handle all types of personal injury claims in Tampa, including those involving:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Broken bones
- Chest injuries
- Soft tissue injuries, including sprains and strains
- Nerve damage
- Eye injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Head and neck injuries
- Concussion injuries
- Back injuries
- Organ damage or bleeding
- Knee injury
- Severe burns
- Amputation injuries
- Paralysis
- Catastrophic injuries
- Wrongful death of a loved one
Our accident lawyers in Tampa are here to help you recover the money you need and deserve for these and other accidents. Reach out to our Tampa law firm today to schedule a free case review.
What Causes Most Commercial Vehicle Accidents in Tampa, Florida?
Commercial vehicle crashes can occur for any number of reasons. In the end, negligence is often to blame.
Some of the most common causes of commercial vehicle accidents include:
- Distracted driving
- Violation of state and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations
- Violating FMCSA hours-of-service rules and fatigued driving
- Excessive speeds
- Dangerous turns
- Failure to yield the right-of-way
- Tailgating
- Aggressive driving
- Unsafe passing
- Illegal lane changes
- Running a red light or stop sign
- Drunk driving
- Inexperienced drivers
- Failure to maintain the vehicle
- Defective vehicles or defective safety equipment
- Failure to properly secure the vehicle’s cargo
Most commercial vehicle drivers are required to obtain a special commercial driver’s license (CDL). Without that specialized license, the driver may not be qualified to operate a large commercial truck, semi, or tractor-trailer.
How Do I Prove Negligence After a Commercial Vehicle Accident in Florida?
It’s important to carefully investigate the crash to determine causation and identify all responsible parties. Often, accident reconstruction specialists can be useful in identifying the cause of the crash. Our attorneys have the experience and resources to conduct these types of in-depth investigations.
We’ll search for all relevant evidence, including:
- A black box recording device
- The driver’s hours-of-service log
- Inspection and maintenance records
- Reports of past safety violations
- Drug and alcohol tests
- Police and accident reports
- Witness statements
- Dash cam footage
- Video surveillance footage
- Physical evidence from the accident scene
- And more
Even if the driver is at fault, other parties might be financially liable. Employers are vicariously liable for the negligent acts of their employees.
Aside from the driver’s employer, additional responsible parties may include:
- The truck driver
- A trucking company
- Maintenance companies, mechanics, or a company hired to inspect the vehicle
- The owner of the commercial vehicle
- A manufacturer of defective parts
- Third-party drivers, pedestrians, or bicyclists
In the end, your attorney will work to prove that someone else’s negligence or wrongful act caused the accident.
How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit After a Commercial Vehicle Accident in Florida?
Florida law gives crash victims four years to file a personal injury lawsuit. The clock starts running on the date of the accident. Once the four-year deadline passes, you lose your right to compensation. Wrongful death claims have a shorter two-year deadline.
Valuable evidence can be lost if you wait too long to take legal action. Give us a quick call today so that we can get started with our investigation into the crash.
Contact a Tampa Commercial Vehicle Accident Lawyer for a Free Consultation
Accidents involving commercial vehicles can cause significant damage. You shouldn’t have to worry about fighting with the insurance company on top of everything else. Call an experienced Tampa commercial vehicle accident lawyer at Catania and Catania Injury Lawyers to learn more about how we’ll stand up for your rights. Remember, your initial consultation is always 100% free.
