Odessa Truck Accident
Florida Truck Accident Attorneys Serving Injured Victims in Odessa
Truck accidents happen much more often than they should around the Odessa area. Given the proximity of Odessa to major highways like the Suncoast Parkway, the area often has large trucks like 18-wheelers and semis transporting goods and traveling at high speeds. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), most serious and fatal large truck accidents involve occupants of smaller passenger vehicles. Since large trucks usually weigh anywhere from 20 to 30 times as much as a passenger vehicle, collisions with large trucks are often devastating. Trucks need significantly more time than passenger vehicles to brake, and many crashes result from truck driver fatigue if that driver has not gotten enough rest as required by law.
In 2018 alone, more than 4,100 people died in large truck crashes according to the IIHS, and about 67 percent of those fatalities were occupants of smaller passenger vehicles. An additional 15 percent of large truck fatalities involve pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorcyclists. In addition to the thousands of people killed in collisions involving tractor-trailers, many more suffer debilitating injuries. If you or someone you love got hurt in a trucking crash, you should get in touch with a Odessa truck accident lawyer as soon as possible to learn more about your eligibility for seeking compensation. Our dedicated truck accident lawyers can help with your case.
Statute of Limitations in a Odessa Truck Accident Lawsuit
Under Florida law, most truck accident lawsuits filed by the injured party will have a four-year statute of limitations. This means your lawsuit will need to be filed within four years from the date of the truck accident. However, if a family member was killed in a truck accident and you are looking into filing a lawsuit, then the statute of limitations will be different. For a wrongful death case, a claim must be filed within two years from the date of the death.
Liability for a Odessa Trucking Collision
Who is liable for a truck accident that happens in or around Odessa? In truck crash cases, many different parties may be liable. Depending upon the specific facts of your case, one or more of the following parties could bear some responsibility for the crash:
- Truck driver who was negligent behind the wheel as a result of drowsy driving, distracted driving, aggressive driving, intoxicated driving, or another careless action;
- Trucking company that hired and employs the truck driver;
- Owner of the truck who failed to have the truck properly serviced or maintained;
- Mechanic who negligently serviced the truck;
- Company that improperly loaded the truck;
- Designer of a defective truck part; or
- Manufacturer of a defective truck part.
Contact a Truck Accident Attorney in Odessa for Assistance
If you or a loved one sustained injuries in a trucking crash, it is important to seek advice as soon as possible from an experienced truck accident lawyer in Odessa. The sooner you get in touch with a lawyer, the quicker you may be able to obtain a settlement or damages award to compensate you for your losses.
Call us at (727) 788-6792 or submit a contact form for a free consultation.
Directions to Our Nearest Office
Why Should I Hire Kemp Law?
It is very easy to describe what Kemp Law Law Group does. Our mission statement says it all. We strive to “relentlessly pursue protecting our clients and improving our community through respect, communication and service.” Put more simply, we help people.
Everything we do is with that singular purpose in mind. If a client has been injured by someone else, we will do everything we can to make sure they get the best possible medical care at little or no expense to them. If a client is going through a divorce, we will vigorously work to help them get everything they need to put the pieces of their life back together and to make sure their rights are protected.
Our firm is unique; we are committed to our community and our clients with a level of legal expertise that is among the highest in the area. In fact, we were featured in Positively Tampa for our efforts.
Our attorneys are members of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, a national group that provides a network for information exchange, local assistance and case referrals to top trial lawyers in America who have won large, complex cases. Fewer than 1% of attorneys nationwide earn this high distinction. We always provide legal representation in your best interests, maintaining open communication lines, and keeping you updated about your case every step of the way.
Regardless of where you live in the Tampa Bay region, including Hillsborough, Pasco, Pinellas, and Hernando Counties, we look forward to helping you make the best of your situation. Many of our attorneys have been acclaimed as among the 1% of all attorneys in the country, and they’re right here in our area, ready to help you.
Common Questions About Truck Accidents in Odessa, FL
- How much does it cost to hire a personal injury lawyer? All personal injury cases we agree to take on are handled on a “contingency fee basis”. This means you pay nothing upfront. Instead, our pay depends upon our recovering money for your damages from the insurance company. If we are unable to recover money on your behalf, you owe us nothing. In the event we are successful in recovering money, we will get paid a portion of the settlement.
- What kind of compensation can I receive? Depending on the severity of the injury, you can receive compensation for medical expenses, lost wages for missing work, and pain & suffering.
- How long do I have to file a personal injury claim? In Florida, the statute of limitations depends on the type of injury. It can range from two (2) to four (4) years and sometimes five (5) years, after the injuring incident.
Living in Odessa
Odessa, Florida is a small lake-filled suburban community that sits just a short drive from Tampa Bay. It has a population of just under 8,000 people and most of them are homeowners. Home values here exceed both the national average and the Florida average.
Odessa, which sits within both Pasco and Hillsborough counties, was historically a horse ranching community before many of its ranches became neighborhoods. Take a drive through Odessa, and it’s easy to see why its residents enjoy its small-town feeling and the lushness of the many orange groves that still dot the landscape.
According to government statistics, this is one of the safest communities in Florida. It’s home to many families and retirees who enjoy living in a relatively small community while still being fairly close to Tampa.
Odessa Local Services & Emergency Contact Information
In an emergency, always call 911.
After a motor vehicle crash:
- Florida Highway Patrol – (727) 788-6792
- Pasco County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Dial 911 Nonemergency (727) 788-6792
- Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Dial 911 Nonemergency (727) 788-6792
- Odessa Car Accident Lawyer – (727) 788-6792
Fire Department
- Odessa Fire Emergency – Dial 911
Police/Sheriff Departments
- Florida Highway Patrol – (727) 788-6792
- Pasco County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Dial 911 Nonemergency (727) 788-6792
- Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Dial 911 Nonemergency (727) 788-6792
- Odessa Car Accident Lawyer – (727) 788-6792
Hospital
- AdventHealth Central Pasco ER (727) 788-6792 – Dial 911
FAQs
you deserve answers
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How Do I Know Who Was At-Fault?
Fault is determined by the evidence collected during the investigation. We look to many things to determine fault in the case: we look to the police report, we look to witness statements, we look to the property damage to the vehicles, skid marks, layout of the cars, etc. Sometimes we even have to refer to accident re-constructionists to do a professional examination of the all the evidence to do a recommendation for us, but that does not happen in very many cases.
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Will I Recover Monetary Damages?
It depends on who was at fault for the accident. If you were at fault, your insurance company will pay for the damage to the vehicle. If you were not at fault, the at-fault driver’s or owner’s insurance policy will pay for the damage, and if they do not have enough coverage to cover the damage to your vehicle, your collision coverage (if purchased) would pay for the damage to your vehicle.
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What Documents Will I Need?
We like you to bring the driver’s exchange of information that the police officer gives you at the scene. We also like you bring any photographs of damage at the scene. Also bring your health insurance cards and your auto insurance cards or declarations page, so we can review the coverage available to you.
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What Should I Say To The Insurance Company?
The at-fault party’s insurance company could ask you to give them a recorded statement. You do not have to give them a recorded statement. However, if your own insurance company asks you for a recorded statement please seek advice from your attorney so that they can assist you in giving that statement. But yes you do have to comply and you do have to give your insurance company a recorded statement.
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Will I Have To Go To Court?
Actually, most cases, or a large percentage of the cases are resolved pre-suit, which means the cases never go to court. We work with the insurance companies before filing suit to try to find a fair resolution for the client, which save money on expenses, court costs and attorney’s fees.
