What Causes Semi Truck Accidents

Every day, Tampa drivers must share the road with semi trucks. These massive vehicles can be difficult to maneuver and require special training to operate. Semis and their drivers are also subject to strict regulations to help improve safety. However, even with all of these precautions, many things can go wrong and lead to semi truck accidents.

Drug and Alcohol Use

Unfortunately, many accidents are caused by drivers who are under the influence of drugs and alcohol. When a driver is impaired, it’s easy for them to lose control of the vehicle—especially when it comes to semi trucks. Even some over-the-counter medications can slow reaction time and lead to an accident.

Pressure to Perform

Semi truck drivers are often under pressure to meet company deadlines or personal financial goals. This can lead to speeding, aggressive driving or other negligent behavior. Drivers may ignore things like bad weather or poor road conditions and fail to take proper precautions. Additionally, drivers may work longer shifts to get the job done, leading to fatigue — a common problem in the industry. Ultimately, rushed or tired driving leads to mistakes and these mistakes can cost lives.

AREAS OF PRACTICE
Tractor Trailer Accidents
Commercial Truck Accidents
Delivery Truck Accidents
Tow Truck Accidents
Truck Accidents
Automobile Accidents

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Improper Maintenance

Vehicle maintenance is vital for commercial vehicles. When drivers neglect to perform regular inspections, things go wrong. Lights fail. Brakes fail. Tires blow out. This leads to dangerous driving conditions which cause accidents — accidents that could have been prevented by proper maintenance.

Distracted Driving

A semi truck accident can occur in mere seconds. That’s why anything that takes a driver’s eyes off the road is dangerous. From texting or talking on a cell phone to reaching for something inside the vehicle, there are many things that can distract drivers and lead to fatal accidents. Thankfully, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has issued new rules regarding cell phone use to help reduce deadly semi truck accidents.

Regulation Violation

Semi trucks are enormous vehicles; some can weigh 80,000 pounds or more. That’s why the results of a collision are often catastrophic and why truck drivers are subject to special training and federal safety regulations. Truck drivers have a responsibility to follow these rules designed to improve safety for everyone on the road. When these rules aren’t followed, it can lead to disaster.

Contact a Tampa Semi Truck Accident Lawyer for Help With Your Claim

If you’ve been injured or have lost a loved one due to a semi truck accident in Tampa or anywhere in Florida, contact an accident attorney with experience handling semi truck accidents and commercial vehicle accidents. You have a right to hold the responsible party accountable. Call the Capaz Law Firm at (813) 551-1405 for your free consultation.

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Recent Case Results

Our priority is to obtain justice for our clients and to help them move forward with their lives after a serious injury. We work tirelessly to obtain the full compensation our clients deserve. We make a commitment to our clients and if we are privileged enough to represent you and your family, we will do everything in our power to fight to achieve the best results.

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$202,230,000.00

Drunk driver crossed into Plaintiff’s lane of travel causing the crash. Plaintiff was pregnant at the time and trapped inside the vehicle until she was extricated. The heavy impact caused a placental abruption, cutting off the oxygen supply to Plaintiff’s unborn child. As a result, the child sustained a traumatic brain injury.

1/10

$2,000,000.00

Defendant truck driver drove through a stop sign and crashed into the client’s vehicle. Initially, the defendant truck driver denied liability and tried to hide insurance coverage. The trucking company, who employed the driver and owned the truck, tried to hide data but we were able to obtain independent evidence.

2/10

$878,000.00

Defendant was using a social media application while driving at an unlawful rate of speed, and he crossed into the client’s lane of travel. The crash resulted in a fractured leg and broken clavicle. The insurance company failed to act in good faith and paid extra contractual money.

3/10

$1,125,000.00

Defendant was speeding and crashed into our client, a pedestrian. Our client sustained an injury to his head and fractured ribs. He was treated at the hospital and subsequently referred to doctors for treatment until he obtained a full recovery.

4/10

$567,661.36

Client was driving his motorcycle when the Defendant, who was driving an SUV in the opposite direction, made a left turn directly in front of our client’s travel path and struck his motorcycle. Our client sustained tibia and fibula fractures. Initially, defendant denied liability. The court granted Plaintiff’s Motion for Summary Judgment as to liability, and the jury awarded the Plaintiff a verdict in the amount of $567,661.35.

5/10

$593,333.00

Clients were passengers in a vehicle involved in a rollover accident, and the defendant driver denied liability. One client suffered wrist and heal fractures, and the other client suffered a slight concussion. The court granted the Plaintiffs’ Motions for Summary Judgment as to liability. Both clients reached a full medical recovery. We were able to reduce all outstanding medical bills to a minimal amount, thus, maximizing the gross recovery for the clients.

6/10

$200,000.00

Client was riding his bicycle at night on Tampa Street, when a vehicle struck him while it was merging onto the road. Client sustained a broken clavicle. The defendant driver denied liability and claimed that our client was responsible for the accident because he did not have a proper light attached to the front of his bike. The defense hired an accident reconstruction expert to argue that our client was liable for the crash. The jury disagreed and assigned 85% fault on the defendant driver.

7/10

$760,000.00

Client was sideswiped by a driver causing his vehicle to roll. He was transported to the hospital with a compression fracture and was recommended surgery. The client was very active and fit prior to the crash and, thus, felt reluctant to surgery. Client was referred for a second opinion, and, ultimately, client recovered with a brace and physical therapy. After our thorough coverage investigation revealed multiple insurance policies applicable to the incident, we were able to negotiate a significant recovery from three of four insurance companies just before trial. The fourth insurance company disputed insurance coverage and refused to respond to the lawsuit filed on behalf of our client. A judgment was obtained and the insurance company filed a Declaratory Action, which resulted in a jury verdict in favor of our client and accessing costs against the insurance company for wrongfully denying the claim.

8/10

$375,000.00

Clients were involved in an automobile accident with resulting injuries. The insurance company claimed the injuries were soft tissue and pre-existing, and presented a very low offer of less than $15,000. However, the auto accident resulted in surgery for one client and physical therapy for the other client. Ultimately, we recovered $375,000.00 on behalf of our clients. Our office worked to have the clients’ medical bills significantly reduced; thus, maximizing the gross recovery for the clients.

9/10

$273,000.00

Pedestrian was struck while standing outside of his truck in a gated neighborhood and sustained a broken collar bone. The insurance company failed to act in good faith when it failed to timely resolve the claim. We alleged that the failure to act in the best interest of the insurer’s own insureds was tantamount to bad faith. The Court ordered arbitration, and an independent arbitrator heard arguments presented by both sides and ultimately awarded the Plaintiff $273,000.00. The insurance company subsequently agreed to resolve the matter for a negotiated amount that included resolution of any attorney’s fees and costs.

10/10
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We make a personal commitment to each and every client. We understand that each case is different and requires a specific plan tailored to the facts and circumstances of each individual and his or her legal situation.

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601 South Blvd. Tampa, FL 33606

tel: 813.551.1405

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