Truck accident
Truck Accident Attorneys in Tampa, Florida
The firms in this guide
- Farah and Farah Call Farah and Farah: (813) 358-1155
- Distasio Law Firm Call Distasio Law Firm: (813) 259-0022
- The Truck Accident Law Firm Call The Truck Accident Law Firm: (352) 777-8900
- Paul Knopf Bigger Call Paul Knopf Bigger: (813) 609-2993
- Abrahamson and Uiterwyk Call Abrahamson and Uiterwyk: (866) 504-2029
1. Farah and Farah
Practice Focus: Truck accidents, 18-wheeler accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, semi-truck collisions, tractor-trailer accidents, big rig accidents, catastrophic injuries from truck accidents, wrongful death from truck accidents
Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions with trucks, jackknife accidents, rollover accidents, head-on truck collisions, underride accidents, wide turn accidents, blind spot accidents, cargo spill accidents, brake failure accidents, driver fatigue accidents, distracted driving accidents
Legal Services: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR) compliance investigation, trucking company negligence claims, driver negligence claims, hours of service violation investigation, electronic logging device (ELD) data analysis, black box data retrieval, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, wrongful death claims, medical expense recovery, lost wage claims, pain and suffering claims, punitive damage claims
Background: Farah and Farah has been representing Florida accident victims since the firm’s founding in 1979. The firm has established a proven track record including a $3.4 million truck accident verdict and a $2 million tractor-trailer accident verdict. Members of the legal team have been recognized as Top 100 Trial Lawyers by the National Trial Lawyers. The firm is family-centered and active participants in the Tampa community.
Location: Tampa, Florida (serves Tampa Bay area)
Contact: (813) 358-1155 | https://farahandfarah.com/
Consultation: Free consultation available, no cost to hire unless compensation is recovered, contingency fee basis
2. Distasio Law Firm
Practice Focus: Truck accidents, 18-wheeler accidents, semi-truck accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, tractor-trailer accidents, wrongful death from truck accidents, catastrophic injuries, cargo truck accidents
Case Types Handled: Port Tampa truck accidents, highway truck collisions, rear-end collisions with trucks, jackknife accidents, rollover accidents, driver fatigue accidents, hours of service violations, cargo securement failures, brake failure accidents, distracted driving truck accidents
Legal Services: FMCSA compliance investigation, trucking company negligence claims, driver negligence claims, hours of service violation investigation, safety standards investigation, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, wrongful death claims, medical expense recovery, lost wage claims, property damage claims
Background: Distasio Law Firm attorneys understand federal trucking safety standards and can identify when defendants have been negligent in adhering to them. The firm recognizes that Port Tampa Bay is Florida’s largest port handling more than 37 million tons of cargo annually, making Tampa a significant hub for trucking activity. Their attorneys focus on truck accident law specifically rather than placing blame solely on truck drivers, investigating trucking companies and other liable parties.
Location: Tampa, Florida (Hillsborough County)
Contact: (813) 259-0022 | https://distasiofirm.com/
Consultation: Free legal consultation available
3. The Truck Accident Law Firm
Practice Focus: Truck accidents, 18-wheeler accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, semi-truck collisions, tractor-trailer accidents, big rig accidents, catastrophic injuries from trucking accidents, wrongful death from truck accidents
Case Types Handled: Tractor-trailer collisions, semi-truck accidents, tanker truck accidents, delivery truck accidents, logging truck accidents, cargo spill accidents, rollover accidents, jackknife accidents, underride accidents, rear-end truck collisions, head-on truck collisions
Legal Services: Federal trucking regulations investigation, FMCSA compliance analysis, trucking company negligence claims, driver negligence claims, hours of service violation investigation, electronic logging device analysis, vehicle maintenance investigation, cargo securement investigation, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, wrongful death claims
Background: The Truck Accident Law Firm focuses specifically on truck accident litigation. The firm’s attorneys are National Board of Trial Advocacy certified in trucking law, possessing specialized skills and experience required to navigate the intricate legal landscape of truck accidents. The firm treats each client with dignity, respect, and compassion while focusing on holding all at-fault parties accountable. The Florida Bar does not yet offer a board certification in Truck Accident Law, making the NBTA certification significant.
Location: Florida (serves Tampa and statewide)
Contact: (352) 777-8900 | https://truckcrashlaw.com/
Consultation: Free consultation available 24/7
4. Paul Knopf Bigger
Practice Focus: Truck accidents, 18-wheeler accidents, semi-truck accidents, big rig accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, tractor-trailer accidents, catastrophic injuries, wrongful death from truck accidents, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries
Case Types Handled: Semi-truck collisions, tractor-trailer accidents, delivery truck accidents, tanker truck accidents, construction truck accidents, rear-end truck collisions, jackknife accidents, rollover accidents, underride accidents, override accidents, cargo spill accidents, brake failure accidents
Legal Services: FMCSA compliance investigation, trucking company negligence claims, driver negligence claims, cargo loader negligence claims, maintenance provider negligence claims, vehicle manufacturer defect claims, evidence gathering and investigation, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, wrongful death claims, catastrophic injury claims
Background: Paul Knopf Bigger attorneys have a proven record of success in complex truck accident lawsuits. The firm has experience, knowledge, and resources to build solid cases against big trucking companies and their insurers. The legal team is committed to fighting injustice and making a difference in the lives of Tampa injury victims. The firm handles the legal details while clients focus on healing.
Location: 511 W. Bay Street, Suite 450, Tampa, FL 33606
Contact: (813) 609-2993 | https://www.pkblawfirm.com/
Consultation: Free consultation available, contingency fee arrangement
5. Abrahamson and Uiterwyk
Practice Focus: Truck accidents, 18-wheeler accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, semi-truck accidents, tractor-trailer accidents, big rig accidents, catastrophic injuries from truck accidents, wrongful death from truck accidents
Case Types Handled: Commercial truck accidents, tractor-trailer collisions, delivery truck accidents, tanker truck accidents, rear-end truck collisions, head-on truck collisions, jackknife accidents, rollover accidents, underride accidents, brake failure accidents, tire blowout accidents, cargo shift accidents
Legal Services: FMCSA compliance investigation, trucking company negligence claims, driver negligence claims, hours of service violation investigation, black box data analysis, electronic logging device review, accident reconstruction, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, wrongful death claims, back and spine injury claims, traumatic brain injury claims
Background: Abrahamson and Uiterwyk has been representing trucking accident victims in Tampa for over 35 years. The firm has achieved millions in recoveries for clients and is proud of that track record. The firm has a team of 10+ attorneys and 40+ professional staff members, fully equipped to handle complex commercial truck accident claims. Their attorneys understand the complexities of 18-wheeler accident cases and Florida comparative negligence rules.
Location: Multiple offices across Tampa Bay area
Contact: (866) 504-2029 | https://www.theinjurylawyers.com/
Consultation: Free consultation available, no legal fees or costs unless case is won
Daily Driving Limits, Driver Files and Florida Scene Duties in Tampa Truck Crashes
A Tampa truck crash claim can turn on how long the driver had been on duty and whether the carrier kept the records federal rules require. Florida law adds duties for every driver at the scene and an immediate notice requirement.
The Daily Driving Window
Except as otherwise provided in 49 CFR 395.1, 49 CFR 395.3(a) requires 10 consecutive hours off duty before driving, limits a property-carrying driver to 11 hours of driving, bars driving after the 14th consecutive hour after coming on duty, and bars driving once more than 8 hours of driving time have passed without a consecutive 30-minute interruption.
Records the Carrier Keeps
Under 49 CFR 395.8(k)(1), duty-status records and supporting documents are kept at least 6 months from receipt, and under 390.15(b) the accident register is kept for 3 years with copies of required accident reports. Except as provided in subpart G, 391.11(b) requires the driver to meet age, language, experience, physical, license, disqualification and road test conditions.
Duties at the Scene
Florida Statutes 316.027(2) requires a driver involved in a crash resulting in injury or death to stop and remain at the scene, and 316.062(1) requires giving name, address and registration number, exhibiting a license on request and rendering reasonable assistance to an injured person.
Immediate Notice
Florida Statutes 316.065(1) requires immediate notice of a crash with injury or death, or property damage of at least $2,000, to the local police department in a municipality, or otherwise to the sheriff or nearest Florida Highway Patrol station.
Tampa Truck Accident Questions
How long do I have to sue?
Two years under Florida Statutes 95.11(5)(a) for an action founded on negligence, and two years under 95.11(5)(e) for wrongful death. For a government truck, Florida’s sovereign immunity statute, 768.28, requires a written injury claim within 3 years after accrual and caps recovery at $200,000 per person absent further legislative act.
Can I recover if I was partly at fault?
Yes, unless your share is greater than 50 percent under Florida Statutes 768.81(6). For example, imagine $100,000 in damages and 30 percent of the fault on the injured driver: the recovery would be $70,000.
When does the tort threshold apply?
Under Florida Statutes 627.737(2), damages for pain, suffering and similar losses against a motorist with PIP security require significant and permanent loss of an important bodily function, permanent injury within a reasonable degree of medical probability other than scarring or disfigurement, significant and permanent scarring or disfigurement, or death.