Tampa Truck Accident Lawyer

When you suffer injury in a truck accident in Tampa, you deserve compensation. Because of the sheer weight and size of these vehicles, even a seemingly minor accident can cause devastation and catastrophic injuries. In Tampa, whether your trucking accident took place on I-4, I-75, or I-275, where truck traffic can be heaviest, you don’t have to face the insurance companies alone. Instead, an experienced Tampa truck accident lawyer is here to protect your rights. 

Ronald Bone, P.A.: Here to Help You Recover Compensation in a Tampa Truck Accident

For over 30 years, the attorneys at Ronald Bone, P.A., have been helping victims of personal injury secure the compensation and justice they are owed. Trucking accidents can be complicated due to several involved factors, and you want to hire an attorney with experience handling these types of cases. Since our firm was established in 1997, we have made a name for ourselves when it comes to these cases and aren’t afraid of seeking compensation through trial.

Though past results cannot guarantee a future outcome, we have recovered millions in compensation for previous clients and can put the same amount of legal excellence and effort into your case. We have received an AV rating, the highest Martindale-Hubbell rating available, and have an active trial practice with exceptional results. Let us help you today. 

Causes of Truck Accidents in Tampa, Florida

Every day, men and women get behind the wheel of their vehicles and face a litany of risks and hazards. One of these hazards is the existence of large trucks on the roadway. These trucks are an essential part of our state and national economy, but they also pose a huge risk if operating in a negligent or reckless manner. In a single year, 72.7 percent of all American freight can be transported by trucks, but they can cause over 76,000 injuries annually.

These trucking accidents can be caused by a variety of factors and circumstances, and it is essential that the cause is understood so that determining liability can be a smoother process. The most common causes of trucking accidents in Tampa include:

• Driver fatigue
• Distracted driving
• Speeding or driving too fast for the current weather conditions
• Improperly loaded or overloaded cargo, which accounts for nearly 65 percent of all traffic accidents in the United States
• Failure to inspect or properly maintain the truck
• Impaired driving due to alcohol, drugs, or even some over-the-counter medications

At Ronald Bone, P.A., we make it our goal to review your accident and any available evidence in order to determine the cause, thereby being able to identify the liable party. 

What Makes Truck Accidents More Complicated?

While a car accident claim might appear more straightforward, truck accidents can prove difficult to untangle. This is due to the fact that these cases often involve a whole number of added complications. Some of the main differences between a car accident and a claim involving a commercial truck include:

• Parties involved. Most often, a truck accident is going to involve more than just the driver of the impacted vehicle and the driver of the truck. Additionally, these cases can also involve the trucking company, the company that was in charge of loading the truck’s cargo, and the mechanics who inspected and serviced the truck. A comprehensive investigation will be necessary to identify and hold accountable all of the liable parties. 
• Trucking regulations. Truck drivers and companies are held to certain federal and state regulations in terms of driving hours allowed, cargo security, and vehicle maintenance. When these regulations are ignored or violated, this fact alone can play a major role in determining who to hold liable and what compensation is available. 
• Severity of injuries. Because of the size of these vehicles, the injuries a victim can receive upon impact with a commercial truck often prove devastating and even fatal. Treatment and due compensation, therefore, can often equal a large amount of money and may also involve certain laws and regulations.

• Large insurance companies. Trucking companies usually work with massive and powerful insurance companies, and these companies will typically have a higher amount of resources to argue against a claim.

  Negotiating a settlement can prove difficult, but the team at Ronald Bone, P.A., is not afraid of going up against these large companies. Don’t let them intimidate you into a smaller settlement. We’re here to face off in a trial if necessary.

In addition to these added complexities, truck accident cases can also be more time-consuming and can require the insight of a highly experienced and skilled attorney. 

Injuries Often Suffered in Truck Accidents

Due to the sheer force of impact caused in a majority of trucking accidents, the injuries a victim can suffer are often severe and can prove fatal. Even when these trucks are traveling at lower speeds, their size is enough to crush most passenger vehicles. Following your trucking accident, it is crucial that you seek medical treatment, as there are some injuries that might not appear right away but can cause life-threatening damage. Common injuries include:

• Traumatic brain injuries. Otherwise known as TBIs, these injuries can leave victims suffering from mild to severe concussions, bleeding on the brain, and long-term disabilities and cognitive issues.
• Broken bones. Due to the impact of a wreck with a truck, victims can experience fractures in a range of body parts, most requiring extensive surgery, physical therapy, and lasting rehabilitation. 
• Internal injuries. These are hidden injuries that can be life-threatening and require immediate medical attention, even if they cannot be felt. These injuries can include internal bleeding or organ damage.
• Neck and back injuries. The force of a collision with a commercial truck can cause a victim to experience whiplash, herniated discs, and other serious back and neck injuries. 
• Spinal cord damage. Horrific spinal cord injuries can result in partial or complete paralysis, permanently causing damage to your mobility and quality of life.

Whatever the nature and severity of your injuries, you deserve compensation, and the team at Ronald Bone, P.A., is here to do whatever is in our power to secure that compensation.

Get the Compensation You Deserve Following a Truck Accident in FL

When a victim is left with injuries and other losses, they can face significant financial stress. In Florida, victims are allowed to pursue compensation in order to recover their various losses. This compensation is often internal to help them cover the extensive medical costs and lost wages they experience due to their injury. At Ronald Bone, P.A., we are here to help victims recover the following kinds of compensation in a truck accident in Tampa:

• Medical costs. This compensation helps cover all of the past, present, and future medical bills that relate to your truck accident injuries. It can include any necessary ambulance rides, doctor visits, stays at the hospital, rehabilitation, medications, and therapy. Since the injuries caused in most trucking accidents are severe, medical expenses can be significant. 
• Lost wages. This includes compensation for your lost income while recovering from your injuries. It can also cover any future lost income if your injuries keep you from being able to return to work in a permanent manner. 
• Property damage. This can include any reimbursement required for repairs to your vehicle or a replacement vehicle. 
• Physical pain and emotional suffering. In a truck accident, most victims experience intense amounts of physical pain and emotional suffering. This compensation works to address the suffering you have experienced in a truck accident. 

FAQs

Q: Why Should I Hire a Lawyer?

A: In a truck accident case, there are a number of reasons why you should hire a lawyer. First, these cases are typically more complex than normal passenger vehicle accidents, and your attorney is here to help you uncover evidence to support your claim. Your attorney can also handle all communications with the liable party so that you can focus on your own rest and recovery. 

Q: What Should I Do Following a Truck Accident?

A: In a truck accident, there are certain steps you should take to protect both your own health and the future of your claim. First, if you can, move yourself to a place of safety and call 911. You should also take photos of your injuries and of the accident scene, and exchange information with the at-fault driver. However, under no circumstances should you admit to fault or even say, “I’m sorry.”

Q: How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Lawyer?

A: The costs involved in hiring a truck accident lawyer will ultimately depend on the factors involved in your specific case. These factors typically include the duration of your case, your case’s complexity, and the skill level and experience of your attorney. Remember, each attorney is different, and so is the way in which they structure their fees. 

Q: Will My Case Go to Court?

A: While there is always a chance your case could go all the way to court, most personal injury claims are settled through a pre-trial settlement. At Ronald Bone, P.A., however, we are not afraid of taking your case all the way to court when the need arises, and we have extensive trial experience. 

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Hire a Truck Accident Lawyer Serving Tampa Residents

The emotional, physical, and financial burdens that victims face after suffering a trucking accident are myriad. In these difficult times, it is essential that you hire a truck accident lawyer. At Ronald Bone, P.A., we are here to serve you however you need us and are not afraid of bringing your case all the way to court if needed.

Contact our St. Petersburg and Tampa Bay-based offices today to learn more about our personal injury services and to schedule your initial consultation.