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Tampa Truck Accident Lawyer

The consequences of a collision between an 18-wheeler or other commercial truck and a passenger car are far more severe than a typical fender-bender. These crashes involve massive vehicles, complex federal and state regulations, and aggressive insurance defense teams.

For over 40 years, John Bales Attorneys has helped injured people across Tampa Bay fight back against trucking and insurance companies, representing more than 12,000 clients and recovering over $450 million in verdicts and settlements. Our mission is simple: to connect you with the right medical providers, preserve the evidence, and secure the financial recovery you need to rebuild your life.

Why Truck Crashes Are Different

Big-rig cases hinge on evidence that ordinary car crashes do not involve:
• Electronic Control Module (ECM) downloads
• Hours-of-Service (HOS) logs
• Driver qualification files
• Maintenance records
• Dispatch communications
• Freight and route assignments

Preserving this evidence is critical because trucking companies can legally purge much of it after short retention periods. National crash data shows that large-truck crashes often occur during daytime hours and on weekdays, consistent with the schedules of commercial freight operations (FMCSA, 2023).

The Local Realities in Tampa Bay

Tampa Bay’s roadways carry heavy freight and commuter pressure. Interstates, bridges, and port approaches funnel commercial trucks through corridors such as the Port, I-4, I-75, and I-275.

• Hillsborough County (2023): 3,083 CMV crashes, 916 injuries, 16 fatalities
• Pinellas County (2023): 1,353 CMV crashes, 257 injuries, 8 fatalities
• Pasco County (2023): 614 CMV crashes, 257 injuries, 8 fatalities
• Florida (statewide 2023): 47,197 CMV crashes, 12,394 injuries, 330 fatalities

These aren’t just numbers, they represent collisions on the same roads our families use every day.

Two notorious hotspots highlight the danger:
• I-4/I-275 interchange in Tampa ranks #69 on the American Transportation Research Institute’s 2025 Top 100 Truck Bottlenecks list.
• U.S. 19 in Florida has repeatedly been cited in FDOT safety studies and local crash reports as one of the state’s most hazardous roadways, with high rates of crashes and fatalities compared to other non-interstate highways.

Freight traffic is the constant driver. Port Tampa Bay operates 24/7, moving bulk goods, containers, Ro/Ro cargo, and more, keeping trucks on the road at all hours. While vital for the local economy, it also means increased crash exposure.

Common Causes We Investigate

• Driver fatigue / hours-of-service violations
• Speeding and tailgating
• Improper loading or lack of securement
• Mechanical and maintenance failures
• Unsafe lane changes / blind-spot errors
• Distracted or impaired driving

Our attorneys act quickly to send spoliation letters, capture ECM data, and schedule inspections with independent reconstructionists before evidence disappears.

What to Do After a Truck Crash in Tampa Bay

  1. Get medical attention immediately.
  2. Preserve as much evidence as possible.
  3. Do not give recorded statements to insurers.
  4. Contact an experienced attorney right away.

Recovering Damages Under Florida Law

Truck accident victims may recover compensation for:
• Medical expenses (past and future)
• Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
• Rehabilitation and long-term care
• Property damage
• Pain and suffering
• Punitive damages (in cases of reckless safety violations)

Two major legal rules apply in Florida:
• Statute of limitations: For negligence cases after March 24, 2023, you only have two years to file. Waiting may permanently bar your claim.
• Modified comparative negligence: If you are more than 50% at fault, you cannot recover compensation.

How John Bales Attorneys Builds Strong Trucking Cases

Speed and preservation. We issue preservation demands for ECM/EDR data, dash-cam footage, telematics, driver qualification files, pre-trip inspections, and repair records. If the truck has been towed, we coordinate a joint forensic inspection before repairs or resale.

Regulatory depth. We examine FMCSA violations involving hours of service, CDL qualifications, drug testing, maintenance failures, and load securement. When patterns reveal systemic failures, we hold companies accountable for negligent hiring, training, supervision, and dispatching.

Regional knowledge. We understand Tampa Bay’s most dangerous interchanges and highways, such as I-4/I-275, I-75, Gandy Bridge, Courtney Campbell, and U.S. 19, and work with experts who have mapped sightlines, merge behaviors, and traffic signals across these corridors.

Medical evidence. Truck accidents often cause polytrauma, spinal injuries, TBIs, and complex orthopedic damage. We collaborate with physicians and specialists to document causation, long-term needs, and life-care costs.

Negotiation and trial strength. With 40+ of history, over 12,000 clients served, and $450 million recovered, we have the leverage and credibility to push for full compensation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if the trucking company’s insurer calls me?
Be polite, but do not give recorded statements or sign documents without your lawyer.

Do I still have a case if I was partly at fault?
Usually yes, damages are reduced by your share of fault, unless it exceeds 50%.

How long will my case take?
Truck accident cases often take longer than regular car crashes due to the complexity of evidence, experts, and medical documentation required.

Call the Tampa Bay Trucking Team That Moves Fast

If you or someone you love was hit by a semi-truck, box truck, dump truck, or other CMV in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Brandon, Wesley Chapel, or anywhere in the Bay Area, contact John Bales Attorneys. For more than 40 years, we’ve fought for Floridians against the biggest trucking and insurance companies, serving over 12,000 clients and recovering more than $450 million. We will start your case today, preserve the evidence carriers don’t want you to have, and fight for every dollar the law allows.

Free consultation. No fee unless we win.

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