When an 18-wheeler accident occurs, the consequences can be more severe than those of a car accident. Unlike typical car accidents, these collisions often result in substantial damages and serious injuries—even the loss of life.
If you’ve been hurt in a truck accident, reaching out to a Tampa 18-wheeler accident lawyer is imperative. The Schiller Kessler Group has successfully helped secure compensation for over 30,000 Florida injury victims, and we are here to help guide you through your options.
A Tampa truck accident lawyer understands the unique challenges of these cases, especially when dealing with vehicles weighing over 80,000 pounds and governed by federal trucking regulations. Let us help protect your rights and fight for what you deserve.
Why Hire a Tampa 18-Wheeler Accident Lawyer?
If you’re involved in an accident with a big rig, having a Tampa personal injury lawyer on your side can make a massive difference.
Here’s why partnering with our attorneys is a smart move:
Knowledge of Big Rigs
Our lawyers understand the ins and outs of truck accidents, including the unique laws and regulations governing these cases. They know how to handle big trucks and the courts.
Ready to Stand Up
Trucking companies and insurers can be tough opponents. A skilled lawyer will stand firm, protecting your rights and fighting for a fair outcome.
No Win, No Fee
Worried about costs? Our Tampa 18-wheeler accident attorneys work on a contingency basis, meaning you don’t pay unless they win your case.
More people choose The Schiller Kessler Group because they know that we’re a cut above other personal injury law firms.
Types of 18-Wheeler Accidents
Accidents involving 18-wheelers can vary widely, each bringing unique risks and challenges. From jackknife incidents to rollovers, understanding the different types of these accidents can shed light on how they occur and why they can be so dangerous.
Common Types of Truck Accidents
- Jackknife accidents: The truck’s trailer swings out to the side, forming an L or V shape with the cab. This happens when the trailer loses traction and the driver loses control.
- Head-on collisions: The front of a truck strikes another vehicle head-on, often due to fatigue, distraction, or risky overtaking.
- Rear-end crashes: A truck hits the vehicle ahead, typically due to tailgating, sudden stops, or distracted driving.
- Underride accidents: Smaller vehicles become trapped under a truck’s trailer, often due to sudden stops or poor visibility.
- Side collisions or T-bone accidents: A truck strikes the side of another vehicle, usually when failing to yield or running a light.
- Sideswipe accidents: A truck sideswipes another vehicle while changing lanes or drifting.
- Truck rollovers: Trucks tip over due to sharp turns, excessive speed, or unsecured cargo.
- Hazmat spills and fires: Hazardous materials can spill or ignite during an accident due to collisions or handling errors.
Recognizing these types of accidents can help you understand the dangers involved and the importance of knowing your legal options if you’re ever affected by one.
No matter what time of day it is, you can contact The Schiller Kessler Group to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation.
Common Causes of 18-Wheeler Accidents in Tampa
Truck accidents in Tampa often occur due to driver errors or negligence by trucking companies, repair contractors, or inspectors. The city’s busy highways and construction zones, along with faulty truck parts or road hazards, can also contribute to these crashes.
Large trucks are particularly at risk on Tampa’s roads because of their size, limited maneuverability, wide turning radius, large blind spots, and longer stopping distances, making severe accidents more likely.
Examples of negligence include:
- Insufficient driver training
- Improperly balanced or secured cargo
- Overloading the truck
- Speeding or driving too fast for conditions
- Substance use, including alcohol, drugs, or medications
- Driving long hours without rest
- Distracted driving, such as texting
- Skipping maintenance and inspections
- Unsafe maneuvers like lane changes without checking blind spots
- Ignoring traffic rules and signals
Understanding these common causes highlights the importance of safety measures and accountability for all parties involved in preventing 18-wheeler accidents.
Serious Injuries from Tampa Semi-Truck Accidents
Because of their size and weight, truck accidents can cause significant harm, often resulting in life-changing or fatal injuries.
People involved in these accidents may experience:
- Spinal cord injuries leading to paralysis
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Severe burns
- Broken bones or fractures
- Amputations
- Facial injuries that cause disfigurement
- Loss of vision or hearing
- Internal injuries with bleeding
- Nerve damage
- Neck and back injuries like herniated discs
- Psychological trauma, including PTSD
These injuries highlight the severe impact truck accidents can have on victims and the need for support in their recovery.
Who Can Be Held Liable for Truck Accidents in Tampa?
Determining who is at fault in an 18-wheeler accident is essential for pursuing a claim. In many cases, several parties could be responsible for the injuries and damages.
Possible liable parties include:
- Truck driver: The driver may be held accountable if their actions, like traffic violations, distracted driving, or fatigue, contributed to the accident.
- Driver’s employer: Employers can be liable under “respondeat superior,” a legal principle that holds them responsible for their employees’ actions while on the job.
- Trucking company: If the company’s policies or negligence in hiring, training, maintenance, or scheduling contributed to the crash, they could be held directly liable.
- Manufacturer: Defective truck parts or equipment may place liability on the manufacturer under product liability laws.
- Third-party contractors: Contractors involved in maintenance or repairs may be liable if their work was substandard and led to the accident.
- Cargo loaders and shippers: Improperly loaded or secured cargo that causes an accident could make those who handled it responsible.
- Other parties: Depending on the circumstances, additional parties, such as leasing companies, road maintenance contractors, or government agencies, may be liable.
In Florida, trucking companies can be held accountable for their drivers’ actions under the principle of “respondeat superior.” Working with a Tampa truck accident lawyer can help you identify all potential liable parties and pursue the compensation you need for your recovery.
Take the Next Step Toward Justice and Recovery
Dealing with the impact of an 18-wheeler accident is never easy, especially when it involves serious injuries and unexpected challenges. A Tampa 18-wheeler accident lawyer from The Schiller Kessler Group is here to provide the support and guidance needed to pursue justice and protect your rights.
The Schiller Kessler Group has successfully helped over 30,000 Florida injury victims, demonstrating a commitment to our community by standing up against trucking companies and insurers. Our team is dedicated to ensuring that every client receives the representation they deserve.
We care deeply about the people we serve. Reach out to The Schiller Kessler Group today to learn how we can help you take the next step toward recovery and peace of mind.
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