Truck accidents can be scary and confusing. If you’ve been in one, you might be hurt, your car might be wrecked, and you might not know what to do next.
That’s where truck accident lawyers come in. They’re experts who can help you deal with the mess after a crash.
Tampa, Florida is a busy city with lots of trucks on the roads. This means truck accidents happen pretty often. If you’re in Tampa and need help after a truck crash, you’re in luck.
Many great lawyers know all about truck accidents and how to help people who’ve been in them.
Top 10 Truck Accident Lawyers Tampa, FL USA 2024
In this guide, we’ll talk about the top 10 Truck Accident Lawyers in Tampa FL for 2024.
We’ll tell you who they are, what makes them good at their job, and how they can help you.
We’ll also explain some important things about truck accident cases in Florida, like how long you have to file a lawsuit and what kind of money you might be able to get.
By the end of this guide, you’ll know a lot more about truck accident lawyers in Tampa and how to find the right one for you. Let’s get started!
Top 10 Truck Accident Lawyers Tampa, FL
Here are the top 10 truck accident lawyers in Tampa, Florida for 2024:
- Christopher D. Codling
- Works at: Robert Sparks Attorneys
- Year started as a lawyer: 2004
- Why he’s great: He’s won lots of big cases, including the biggest jury award ever in Hillsborough County.
- P. Bruce Culpepper
- Works at: Culpepper Kurland
- Year started as a lawyer: 1967
- Why he’s great: He’s been a lawyer for over 50 years and keeps winning big cases for his clients.
- David D. Dickey
- Works at: The Yerrid Law Firm PA
- Year started as a lawyer: 1992
- Why he’s great: He used to be a Navy pilot and now helps people hurt in truck crashes. He’s won many cases worth millions of dollars.
- Bennie Lazzara, Jr.
- Works at: Wilkes & Associates PA
- Year started as a lawyer: 1969
- Why he’s great: He used to be a famous prosecutor and defense lawyer. Now he helps people hurt in accidents and has won over $200 million for his clients.
- Charles T. Moore
- Works at: Morgan & Morgan PA
- Year started as a lawyer: 1996
- Why he’s great: He’s been helping injured people for over 20 years and has won many big cases.
- Sean Shaw
- Works at: Swope, Rodante PA
- Year started as a lawyer: 2003
- Why he’s great: He comes from a family of lawyers and has been fighting for Florida families for years.
- Brent Steinberg
- Works at: Swope, Rodante PA
- Year started as a lawyer: 2010
- Why he’s great: He’s an expert at fighting insurance companies and has won huge cases, including one worth over $30 million.
- Dale M. Swope
- Works at: Swope, Rodante PA
- Year started as a lawyer: 1978
- Why he’s great: He’s been a lawyer for almost 50 years and has won many awards for his work.
- Kristen Collins Ware
- Works at: McIntyre Thanasides Bringgold Elliott Grimaldi Guito & Matthews PA
- Year started as a lawyer: 2016
- Why he’s great: She’s an expert in car and truck accidents, especially when insurance companies aren’t being fair.
- C. Steven Yerrid
- Works at: The Yerrid Law Firm PA
- Year started as a lawyer: 1975
- Why he’s great: He’s won billions of dollars for his clients and was part of the team that won the first lawsuit against cigarette companies in Florida.
Compare Top Tampa Truck Accident Attorneys
Here’s a table that compares these top lawyers:
| Lawyer Name | Year Started | Law School | Special Skills |
|---|---|---|---|
| Christopher D. Codling | 2004 | University of Florida | Winning big cases |
| P. Bruce Culpepper | 1967 | University of Florida | 50+ years experience |
| David D. Dickey | 1992 | University of Florida | Military background |
| Bennie Lazzara, Jr. | 1969 | University of Florida | Former prosecutor |
| Charles T. Moore | 1996 | University of Florida | 20+ years helping injured people |
| Sean Shaw | 2003 | University of Florida | Family legal background |
| Brent Steinberg | 2010 | University of Florida | Fighting insurance companies |
| Dale M. Swope | 1978 | University of Florida | 40+ years experience |
| Kristen Collins Ware | 2016 | Emory University | Car and truck accident expert |
| C. Steven Yerrid | 1975 | Georgetown University | Winning huge cases |
Filing a Truck Accident Lawsuit in Tampa, Florida
If you’ve been in a truck accident in Tampa, you might be thinking about filing a lawsuit. But it’s not as simple as just going to court. Florida has some special rules that make things a bit tricky.
No-Fault Insurance Rules
Florida is a “no-fault” state. This means:
- Your insurance pays for your injuries first, no matter who caused the crash.
- You can only sue the other driver if your injuries are really bad.
- If you can’t sue, you’re limited to getting money for medical bills, lost wages, and other direct costs.
Time Limits for Filing a Lawsuit
In Florida, you have a deadline for filing a truck accident lawsuit:
- You have 2 years from the day of the accident to file.
- This might seem like a long time, but it can go by fast, especially if you’re hurt.
- Insurance companies often take a year or more to decide on claims, which eats into your time.
Laws for Truck Drivers
There are special laws in Florida that affect truck accident cases:
- Personal Injury Protection (PIP): This is insurance that covers up to 80% of your medical bills and 60% of lost wages, up to $10,000.
- Serious Injuries: You can only sue for more money if you have a permanent injury or if someone died.
- Additional Insurance: If you have extra coverage, you might be able to get more than the $10,000 PIP limit.
- Wrongful Death: Only certain people can file a lawsuit if someone dies in the accident.
Who’s at Fault?
Even though Florida is a no-fault state, figuring out who caused the accident is still important:
- It can affect your insurance rates.
- If you have serious injuries and can sue, fault matters a lot.
- You can only get money if you are 50% or less responsible for the crash.
How Can an Attorney Help You?
After a truck accident, a lawyer can be a big help. Here’s how:
- They Know the System:
- Lawyers understand all the paperwork you need to file.
- They know when everything is due.
- This can make the whole process go much faster.
- They Work When You Can’t:
- If you’re hurt, dealing with insurance and legal stuff is hard.
- Your lawyer can handle everything while you focus on getting better.
- They Know What Your Case is Worth:
- Lawyers have seen many cases like yours.
- They can tell if the insurance company is offering you a fair deal.
- They Can Negotiate:
- Lawyers are good at talking to insurance companies.
- They often get better settlements without having to go to court.
- They Can Take Your Case to Court:
- If the insurance company won’t be fair, your lawyer can file a lawsuit.
- They’ll fight for you in court to get what you deserve.
- They Understand Truck Laws:
- Truck accidents have special rules and laws.
- A good truck accident lawyer knows all these rules.
- They Can Prove Who’s at Fault:
- Lawyers know how to gather evidence.
- They can show that the truck driver or company was responsible for the crash.
- They Can Help with Medical Bills:
- Lawyers can sometimes get doctors to wait for payment until your case is settled.
- This can help you get the treatment you need even if you can’t afford it right now.
- They Provide Peace of Mind:
- Knowing an expert is handling your case can reduce your stress.
- You can focus on healing while they handle the legal stuff.
- They’re Your Advocate:
- Your lawyer is on your side, fighting for your rights.
- They’ll make sure your voice is heard and your needs are met.
How To Find the Best Truck Accident Lawyer in Tampa, FL?
Finding the right lawyer can be tough. Here are some tips to help you choose:
- Look at Their Awards:
- Good lawyers often win awards from other lawyers.
- These awards show that other experts think they’re good at their job.
- Check Their Past Cases:
- Look for lawyers who have won cases like yours.
- If they’ve helped people in similar situations, they might be able to help you too.
- Ask About Trials vs. Settlements:
- Some lawyers mostly settle cases out of court.
- Others are good at going to trial.
- Pick a lawyer whose style matches what you think your case needs.
- Read Reviews:
- See what other clients say about the lawyer.
- Look for reviews on trusted websites.
- Check Their Experience:
- How long have they been handling truck accident cases?
- More experience often means they know the system better.
- Meet Them in Person:
- Many lawyers offer free consultations.
- Use this time to see if you feel comfortable with them.
- Ask About Fees:
- Most truck accident lawyers work on a “contingency fee” basis.
- This means you only pay if they win your case.
- Make sure you understand how much they’ll charge.
- Look at Their Resources:
- Truck accident cases can be complex.
- Make sure the lawyer has the staff and resources to handle your case.
- Check Their Communication Style:
- Do they explain things in a way you understand?
- Will they keep you updated on your case?
- Trust Your Gut:
- After considering all these factors, go with the lawyer you feel best about.
- You’ll be working closely with them, so you must trust them.
Our Methodology for Finding the Best Tampa Truck Accident Attorneys
We didn’t just pick these lawyers at random. We used a careful method to find the best ones. Here’s how we did it:
- Legal Experience:
- We looked at how long each lawyer has been practicing.
- We checked how many truck accident cases they’ve handled.
- Special Licenses and Certifications:
- Some lawyers have extra training in truck accidents.
- We gave extra points for these special qualifications.
- Ethics:
- We made sure none of the lawyers had been in trouble with the bar association.
- Good behavior is really important for lawyers.
- Legal Thought Leadership:
- We looked for lawyers who write articles or give talks about truck accident law.
- This shows they’re experts in their field.
- Education:
- We checked where each lawyer went to school.
- Good education can mean better legal skills.
- Awards and Honors:
- We looked at awards given by other lawyers and legal organizations.
- These show that experts think these lawyers are good at what they do.
- Client Reviews:
- We read what past clients said about each lawyer.
- Happy clients often mean a good lawyer.
- Case Results:
- We looked at how much money each lawyer has won for their clients.
- Big wins can show that a lawyer is good at their job.
- Community Involvement:
- We checked if the lawyers do volunteer work or help their community.
- This can show they care about more than just making money.
- Specialization:
- We gave extra points to lawyers who focused mostly on truck accidents.
- Specialists often know more about their specific area of law.
Remember, even though we did our best to find great lawyers, you should still do your research. What works for one person might not be best for another. Use our list as a starting point, but make sure you feel good about your choice.
FAQs About Truck Accidents in Tampa
Here are some common questions people ask about truck accidents in Tampa:
- Is there a limit on how much money I can get from a truck accident lawsuit in Florida?
- In most cases, there’s no limit on how much you can get.
- But if you’re using a government agency (like if the truck was owned by the city), there might be limits.
- How long will my truck accident case take?
- Every case is different.
- Some cases settle in a few months, others can take years.
- Your lawyer can give you a better idea based on your specific situation.
- What if I was partly at fault for the accident?
- In Florida, you can still get money if you are less than 50% at fault.
- But the amount you get will be reduced by your percentage of fault.
- Do I have to go to court for my truck accident case?
- Not necessarily. Many cases settle out of court.
- But if the insurance company won’t offer a fair amount, you might need to go to court.
- How much does a truck accident lawyer cost?
- Most work on a “contingency fee” basis.
- This means you don’t pay unless you win your case.
- The fee is usually a percentage of what you win, often around 33%.
- What should I do right after a truck accident?
- Call the police and get medical help if needed.
- Take pictures of the accident scene if you can.
- Get contact info from witnesses.
- Don’t admit fault or sign anything from the trucking company.
- Call a lawyer as soon as possible.
- What if the truck driver was from another state?
- You can still file a lawsuit in Florida.
- Your lawyer will know how to handle cases involving out-of-state drivers.
- How is a truck accident case different from a regular car accident case?
- Truck accidents often cause more serious injuries.
- There are special laws and regulations for trucks.
- More than one party might be responsible (like the driver, the trucking company, or the truck manufacturer).
- What if the trucking company offers me a settlement right away?
- Don’t accept it without talking to a lawyer first.
- Early offers are often much less than what your case is worth.
- Can I still get money if I wasn’t wearing a seatbelt?
- Yes, but it might reduce the amount you can get.
- Not wearing a seatbelt doesn’t change who caused the accident.
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Conclusion:
Truck accidents can be scary and complicated. But with the right lawyer, you can get the help and money you need to recover.
The top 10 truck accident lawyers in Tampa for 2024 are all experts who know how to handle these tough cases.
Remember, if you’ve been in a truck accident:
- Get medical help right away
- Don’t talk to the trucking company or their insurance without a lawyer
- Keep all your medical records and accident-related documents
- Call a lawyer as soon as you can
Every case is different, so what worked for someone else might not be right for you. Take your time, do your research, and choose a lawyer you trust. With the right help, you can focus on getting better while your lawyer fights for your rights.
Stay safe on the roads, Tampa!
Disclaimer:
This article is for information only. It’s not legal advice. Every case is different, so you should talk to a lawyer about your specific situation.
The lawyers mentioned here are examples of good attorneys, but there are many other great lawyers in Tampa too. Always do your research before choosing a lawyer.
