Crash Involving Tractor-Trailer & SUV Closes Adamo Drive
In November 2023, a crash between a semi-truck and a passenger SUV left the SUV driver seriously injured and closed off part of eastbound Adamo Drive in Tampa for most of an evening. While details are scant, it is still worth taking note of this kind of crash simply because the size difference between tractor-trailers and passenger vehicles is being illustrated in full. A crash with another passenger vehicle of a similar size would likely not have led to such significant injuries for the driver. If you have been in an accident with a tractor-trailer, know that you may have the right to seek money damages from the driver or their employer if negligence occurred.
Who May Be Liable?
Data from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration from 2021 (the most recent available data) estimates that the number of fatal crashes involving large trucks increased by almost 18 percent between 2020 and 2021.The numbers for injury crashes also rose, by around 11 percent. There are several different reasons for this increase, but regardless of why they happen, tractor-trailer crashes are likely to cause serious, even life-changing injuries, when they do.
Not every crash involving a large truck will be the product of negligence – unfortunately, sometimes accidents simply happen. However, if you can establish that the driver who allegedly caused your accident was operating their vehicle negligently, they may wind up on the proverbial hook for your damages, or their employer might, if the facts will permit their inclusion in your lawsuit. Negligent people or entities are those who have breached an existing duty to exercise reasonable care – for example, the duty of every Florida road user to operate their vehicle with a care toward every other road user – and caused injury as a result.
Act Fast To File
There is no information, as of this writing, about the specifics of the SUV driver’s injuries, but if they choose to file suit against the tractor-trailer driver, they may wind up experiencing issues recovering damages because very often, tractor-trailer drivers are not able to cover a jury award if they are found liable. This status is known as being ‘judgment proof’ – but it is one of the reasons why many injured plaintiffs try to file suit against the driver’s employer, or the company that owns the vehicle if they are not the same entity.
In terms of your own case, it is a good idea to contact an attorney to discuss your options before actually filing anything, though it must be done quickly – there is a two-year statute of limitations on personal injury cases, which means that a person has two years from the date of their accident in which to file suit. In Florida, auto accident injuries must meet a certain ‘threshold’ before an injured person can file suit in court; if they do not, you may be urged to seek damages through a claim with your personal injury protection (PIP) insurance, which is required for all Florida drivers to possess. Between this and other potential pitfalls, contacting an attorney will always be a good way to start your case.
Call A Tampa Tractor-Trailer Accident Attorney
Tractor-trailer accidents involve large vehicles moving very quickly, and the injuries that can result are serious. If you have been injured in this type of crash, a Tampa tractor-trailer accident attorney from the Rinaldo Law Group can help you determine how best to proceed with your individual case. We are happy to try and assist you – call our office today for a free consultation.
Source:
msn.com/en-us/autos/other/crash-between-semi-truck-and-suv-closes-portion-of-road-in-tampa/ar-AA1k7kKI
