Tampa Truck Accident Lawyer
When a semi-truck or 18-wheeler crash leaves you with catastrophic injuries, you need a Tampa truck accident attorney who understands federal trucking regulations and has the resources to take on massive trucking companies. Cardinal Law fights for maximum compensation.
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Tampa Truck Accident Facts
4,000+
Annual Truck Crashes in Florida
350+
Truck Crash Fatalities Annually in FL
80,000 lbs
Fully Loaded Semi-Truck Weight
525 ft
Stopping Distance at 65 MPH (vs 316 ft for cars)
Types of Truck Accidents We Handle in Tampa
Truck accidents differ significantly from car accidents due to the size, weight, and complexity of commercial vehicles. Cardinal Law has the expertise to handle all types of truck crash cases.
Jackknife Accidents
Underride & Override Collisions
Rollover Crashes
Blind Spot Accidents
Wide Turn Collisions
Cargo Spills & Falling Load Accidents
Why Truck Accidents Are Different from Car Accidents
Truck accident cases are exponentially more complex than typical car accident claims. Here's what makes them unique:
Catastrophic Injuries & Damages
A fully loaded semi-truck can weigh up to 80,000 poundsâ20 times heavier than a passenger vehicle. The physics of these crashes result in far more severe injuries: traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, amputations, multiple fractures, internal organ damage, and death.
Due to the severity of injuries, truck accident cases involve significantly higher medical expenses, longer recovery periods, permanent disabilities, and correspondingly higher compensation awardsâoften reaching into the millions of dollars.
Complex Federal Regulations
Truck drivers and trucking companies must comply with extensive Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) governing hours of service, vehicle maintenance, cargo loading, driver qualifications, drug and alcohol testing, and more.
Violations of these federal regulations can establish negligence and significantly strengthen your case. Cardinal Law thoroughly investigates FMCSR compliance and identifies all violations that contributed to your Tampa truck accident.
Multiple Liable Parties
Unlike car accidents that typically involve one or two drivers, truck accidents can involve numerous liable parties: the truck driver, trucking company, cargo loading company, truck manufacturer, maintenance company, and third-party contractors.
Each defendant may have separate insurance coverage, dramatically increasing potential compensation. Identifying all liable parties requires extensive investigation and legal expertise that Cardinal Law provides.
Critical Evidence Preservation
Truck accidents generate unique evidence that must be preserved immediately: electronic logging device (ELD) data, "black box" event data recorders, driver logs, maintenance records, inspection reports, hiring and training records, and cargo manifests.
Trucking companies are only required to preserve this evidence for 6-12 months, and they often destroy or "lose" critical evidence. Cardinal Law immediately sends spoliation letters to preserve all evidence and deploys investigators to document the scene before evidence disappears.
Who Can Be Held Liable in Tampa Truck Accidents?
Truck accident liability is complex because commercial trucking involves multiple parties and entities. Cardinal Law investigates all potential defendants to maximize your compensation.
Truck Driver (negligence, violations, fatigue)
Trucking Company (negligent hiring, inadequate training)
Cargo Loading Company (improper loading, overweight cargo)
Truck Manufacturer (defective parts, design flaws)
Maintenance Company (failure to maintain vehicle)
Third-Party Contractors (negligent repairs, inspections)
High Insurance Coverage Means Higher Compensation
Federal law requires commercial trucks to carry minimum insurance coverage of $750,000 to $5 million or more, depending on the type of cargo and operation. This is dramatically higher than the minimum auto insurance required for passenger vehicles ($10,000 PIP in Florida).
The high insurance coverage means that truck accident victims have access to substantially greater compensation for their injuries. Cardinal Law knows how to identify all insurance policies and pursue maximum recovery from every available source.
Common Causes of Tampa Truck Accidents
Understanding what causes truck accidents helps establish liability and recover compensation for victims.
Driver Fatigue
Hours of Service Violations: Federal law limits truck drivers to 11 hours of driving per day and 70 hours per week. Trucking companies often pressure drivers to violate these rules to meet deadlines.
Fatigued truck drivers have slower reaction times, impaired judgment, and may even fall asleep at the wheel. ELD data can prove hours of service violations.
Improper Loading
Overweight & Unbalanced Cargo: Overweight trucks take longer to stop and are more likely to rollover. Improperly secured cargo can shift during transport, causing loss of control.
Federal regulations limit truck weight to 80,000 pounds and require proper cargo securement. Violations make cargo loading companies and trucking companies liable.
Poor Maintenance
Brake Failures & Tire Blowouts: Commercial trucks require regular inspections and maintenance. Brake failures and tire blowouts are often caused by deferred maintenance to save costs.
Maintenance records can reveal whether the trucking company or maintenance contractor failed to properly inspect and repair the vehicle.
Tampa's Most Dangerous Roads for Truck Accidents
Tampa's strategic location makes it a major trucking hub, with I-4, I-275, and I-75 carrying heavy commercial traffic. Port Tampa Bay generates additional truck traffic, creating hazardous conditions.
I-4 Corridor
Deadliest highway in America, heavy truck traffic, frequent multi-vehicle pile-ups
I-275 (Malfunction Junction)
Complex interchange, tight turns unsuitable for large trucks, high crash rates
I-75
Major north-south truck route through Tampa, high speeds, frequent jackknife accidents
Port Tampa Bay Access Roads
Heavy commercial truck traffic to/from port, congestion, mixed commercial and passenger vehicles
What To Do After a Tampa Truck Accident
The actions you take immediately after a truck accident can significantly impact your ability to recover compensation.
Get Medical Attention Immediately
Truck accident injuries are often severe and life-threatening. Call 911 and request emergency medical response. Even if you don't think you're seriously injured, see a doctorâinternal injuries, concussions, and soft tissue damage may not show symptoms for hours or days.
Document Everything
Take extensive photos: all vehicles, the truck's DOT number and company name, license plates, cargo, road conditions, skid marks, traffic signals, your injuries, and any visible truck defects. Get witness contact information. Request a copy of the police crash report.
Do NOT Give Statements
Trucking companies deploy teams of investigators and lawyers within hours of a crash. Do not give recorded statements to anyone except the police. Do not admit fault. Do not sign any documents from the trucking company or their insurance adjusters.
Contact Cardinal Law Immediately
Time is critical in truck accident cases. Evidence can disappear within days. Trucking companies may destroy logs, ELD data, and maintenance records. Call 844-874-PAIN immediately so we can send spoliation letters, deploy investigators, and protect your rights before evidence is lost.
Compensation Available in Tampa Truck Accident Cases
Due to the catastrophic nature of truck accident injuries and the high insurance coverage carried by commercial trucks, compensation in these cases is typically substantial.
Economic Damages
- Emergency medical treatment and hospitalization
- Surgery, rehabilitation, and physical therapy
- Future medical care and long-term treatment
- Lost wages and loss of earning capacity
- Property damage (vehicle total loss)
- Home and vehicle modifications for disabilities
Non-Economic & Punitive Damages
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress and mental anguish
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Permanent disability and disfigurement
- Loss of consortium (family impacts)
- Punitive damages (for gross negligence/willful misconduct)
No Fees Unless We Win Your Tampa Truck Accident Case
Cardinal Law works exclusively on a contingency fee basis. You pay nothing upfront, no hourly fees, and no out-of-pocket expenses. If we don't recover compensation for you, you owe us nothing.
Call 844-874-PAIN for Your Free ConsultationServing Tampa Truck Accident Victims Throughout Hillsborough County
Downtown Tampa
Ybor City
Westchase
Brandon
Riverview
Plant City
Temple Terrace
Town 'n' Country
Tampa Truck Accident FAQs
How much is a truck accident case worth in Tampa?
Tampa truck accident cases are typically worth significantly more than car accident cases due to the severity of injuries. Minor injury cases may settle for $50,000-$150,000, moderate injury cases for $150,000-$500,000, and severe injury cases involving permanent disability, spinal cord injuries, or traumatic brain injuries can be worth $1 million to $10 million or more. Commercial trucks carry insurance policies of $750,000 to $5 million or higher, providing substantial recovery potential. Cardinal Law thoroughly investigates all liable parties and insurance coverage to maximize your compensation.
Who can be held liable in a Tampa truck accident?
Multiple parties can be held liable in Tampa truck accidents: the truck driver (for negligent driving, hours of service violations, DUI), the trucking company (for negligent hiring, inadequate training, pressure to violate safety rules), the cargo loading company (for improper loading or overweight cargo), the truck manufacturer (for defective parts or design flaws), the maintenance company (for failure to properly maintain the vehicle), and third-party contractors (for negligent repairs). Cardinal Law investigates all potential defendants to ensure maximum compensation recovery.
What should I do immediately after a truck accident in Tampa?
After a Tampa truck accident: (1) Call 911 immediately for police and medical response; (2) Seek medical attention even if you feel fineâtruck accident injuries often have delayed symptoms; (3) Document everything with photos of all vehicles, the truck's DOT number, license plates, road conditions, skid marks, and cargo; (4) Get witness contact information; (5) Request a copy of the police report; (6) Do NOT give recorded statements to the trucking company's insurance adjusters; (7) Preserve all evidence; (8) Contact Cardinal Law at 844-874-PAIN immediately. Trucking companies deploy accident investigators within hoursâyou need legal protection immediately.
How long do I have to file a truck accident lawsuit in Tampa?
In Florida, you generally have 2 years from the date of the truck accident to file a personal injury lawsuit (Florida Statute 95.11). However, evidence preservation is critical in truck accident cases. Federal regulations require trucking companies to preserve electronic logging device (ELD) data, driver logs, maintenance records, and black box data for only 6 months to 1 year. Waiting too long can result in crucial evidence being destroyed or lost. Contact Cardinal Law immediately after your accident to ensure all evidence is preserved and all deadlines are met.
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Through 13 years of experience and multi-millions recovered for our clients we offer the most premium legal services.
Visit Our Florida Offices
Cardinal Law has offices throughout Florida to serve you better. Our main office is in Naples, with additional locations by appointment.
Naples Office
Main Office9045 Strada Stell Court
Suite 305
Naples, FL 34109
Orlando Office
200 E Robinson Street
Suite 1120
Orlando, FL 32801
Tampa Office
401 East Jackson Street
Suite 2340
Tampa, FL 33602
Miami Office
848 Brickell Avenue
Suite PH5
Miami, FL 33131
Fort Myers Office
5237 Summerlin Commons Blvd
Suite 511
Fort Myers, FL 33907
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