Author: Brooks Law Group

The Role of Size and Weight in Commercial Vehicle Accident Severity

Did you know that size and weight significantly affect commercial vehicle accident severity? Commercial vehicles play a critical role in our local economy throughout Tampa Bay. From transporting goods into (and out of) Florida to providing a wide variety of services, semi-trucks, work trucks, and delivery vans are commonplace on our roads. However, their size…

Commercial Vehicle Accidents: What Should You Do If You’re Injured by A Commercial Vehicle?

Do you wonder why commercial vehicle accidents seem to be more prevalent around this time of year? Well, the holidays are coming up fast, and commercial vehicles will be as common as holiday light displays in our local neighborhoods. Delivery trucks and vans will frequent residential streets as they drop off gifts, decor, goodies, and…

Why You Need a Lawyer with Experience in Commercial Vehicle Accident Claims

Commercial vehicle accident claims are complicated, long, and can end up being costly. Have you ever wondered if you could just “DIY” your case, instead of hiring a commercial vehicle accident lawyer, to save some cash? These accidents happen regularly around Tampa Bay. Some of the most common scenarios include: Being hit by a delivery…

Insurance in Florida: Key Differences in Commercial Truck Accident Claims vs. Car Accident Claims

Commercial truck accident claims are a hot topic in law, as insurance is a big part of a legal case after a crash. Knowing the similarities between a standard car accident claim and understanding the key differences between the kinds of claims is crucial for victims to understand. In a commercial vehicle crash, specifically those…

3 Key Reasons Why Commercial Vehicle Accident Cases Are More Complex Than Car Accidents

Commercial vehicle accident cases have a bad reputation, and for good reason. These collisions result in thousands of fatalities each year and even more injuries. What makes these accidents so dangerous, though, and how are they different than standard car accidents? Based on our years of experience of helping those injured by these commercial vehicle…

6 Top Causes of Commercial Vehicle Accidents and How to Avoid Them

Did you know that the top 6 causes of commercial vehicle accidents are, in many cases, preventable? It’s sad, but true. If you spend time on Florida’s roads, you are familiar with the fear of driving around semi-trucks. Why are these trucks so scary, and what makes them, and their drivers, so dangerous? What are the…

How Fatigued Driving Contributes to Commercial Vehicle Accidents

Commercial vehicle accidents are all too common in Florida, but how many are due to fatigued truck drivers? Operating a commercial vehicle while drowsy can be deadly. Drivers need to be aware of the signs of fatigued truckers and how to prevent accidents on our local roads. Next week (the first week of November) marks…

What to Do If You’ve Been Injured in A Commercial Truck Accident

We’ve discussed what you should do in the moments immediately following a commercial truck accident, but what should you do in the weeks and months following your crash? A truck accident case can last for months, or even years, and victims should understand what to expect. So, what should you do if you’ve been injured…

Hiring A Lawyer When You’ve Been in A Commercial Vehicle Accident

Have you been injured in a commercial vehicle accident? You’re not alone. With work trucks and commercial vans frequenting Central Florida’s roads in the aftermath of Hurricane Milton, the chances of collisions with these kinds of vehicles increase exponentially. If you’ve been hit by one of these trucks, hiring an experienced truck accident lawyer is…

What evidence is needed to prove a truck accident claim?

A truck accident claim is complicated, with layers of information, evidence, and conflicting opinions. If you’ve been in a truck accident and are currently navigating the aftermath, it can feel overwhelming. You know what happened to cause your injuries and suffering, but how can you prove it? Evidence, and using it, is crucial to a positive…

Important Information If You’re A Truck Accident Victim

Are you a truck accident victim? Were recently injured in a collision with a commercial vehicle? Involvement in accidents is traumatic and confusing, but truck accidents can be horrifying. Experiencing destruction, injuries, or witnessing death is difficult. The scene of an accident is often chaotic, and if you don’t have a plan for the unexpected,…

Common Injuries in Commercial Truck Accidents and Their Long-Term Effects

As a victim, you might be wondering about the long-term effects of truck accidents and what that means for your future. Unfortunately, the number of people impacted by these collisions is steadily rising, with a 2.5% increase from 2021 to 2022. Polk County alone saw 1,948 commercial vehicle crashes in 2022! It should be noted…

How Trucking Company Negligence Can Lead to Serious Accidents

Accidents with semi trucks happen for many reasons, but perhaps the most complicated is trucking company negligence. Trucking companies have a responsibility to promote safety and responsible driving. When they don’t, other drivers usually pay the price. Sadly, victims of these accidents experience both physical and mental trauma for weeks, months, or even years after…

Pain After A Truck Accident: 4 Red Flags for Victims

Victims frequently experience pain after a truck accident and the resulting injuries, but what happens if your pain hits after the dust settles? Hidden injuries are common after vehicle collisions, as some types of trauma don’t show up for days, weeks, or even months later. This can complicate a case, as the clock for the statute…

The Importance of Black Box Data in Commercial Truck Accidents

When you hear “black box data” do you automatically envision plane crashes or catastrophic accidents? Yes, black box data does play a role in those events, but did you know basic semi-trucks and commercial vehicles also carry black boxes? While no longer called a black box (they’re now labeled as Electronic Logging Devices or ELDs) they…

Deadly Consequences: Florida Woman Killed When a Semi-Truck Runs a Red Light

One of the most dangerous scenarios on the road is when a semi-truck runs a red light. While this mistake might seem innocent enough (after all, who hasn’t missed a light by accident once or twice?) it can have disastrous consequences when involving a large truck or commercial vehicle. Just last week, a woman in Naples died…

If You See Something, Say Something: Report Erratic Truck Drivers and Prevent Accidents

We’ve all been tempted to report erratic truck drivers. It’s common to travel on Interstate 4 and see cars racing or be forced to avoid a swerving car on deadly Highway 27. but drivers of large trucks and commercial vehicles are just as guilty of erratic driving, and their accidents come with much BIGGER consequences….

Wrongful Death Liability in Truck Accidents: Insight from Experienced Attorneys

Truck accidents occur frequently on Florida’s roads, and consequently, we face wrongful death liability lawsuits in these commercial vehicle collisions often. In our Lakeland area practice, we’ve seen multiple families of victims suffering after their loved ones died in crashes with large trucks or commercial vans. Just last month, a Lakeland pedestrian died after a…

Aftermath of A Truck Accident: What Should I Expect?

Are you currently caught in the aftermath of a truck accident? Unfortunately, commercial vehicle accidents are becoming increasingly common on Florida’s roads. In the moments, days, and even years following a truck accident, victims can face a litany of challenges. If you don’t know what to expect, it can leave you confused, worried about your…

Chain Reaction: Secondary Truck Accidents Happen More Than You Think

Do you know the dangers of secondary truck accidents? While direct collisions with trucks are often severe, secondary collisions also threaten motorists on Florida’s roads. In fact, between 2017 and 2019, it’s estimated that over 1,200 secondary crashes happened in Florida, some of which involved commercial vehicles. Just last month, four people died in a…

Struck by A Truck: Common Semi Truck Accidents (and How to Prevent Them)

We are one of Tampa’s most trusted teams of attorneys, so we know a lot about common semi truck accidents…and how to prevent them. Sadly, we see recurring trends in trucking accidents and the damage they cause victims. In Florida, semi truck collisions are prevalent on all of our major highways. Hundreds of accidents happen…

Struck by a Truck: Driver Is at Fault in Accident on I-75

Semi-truck accidents usually happen because of the truck’s attributes, but in last week’s DUI semi-truck accident in Ocala, the driver was the cause. Do you know what it means for your case when a driver is at fault in a semi-truck accident? This is an important topic to cover here in our Struck by A Truck series. Semi-trucks are certainly…

Not “Just” A Text: Understanding the Legal Consequences of Distracted Driving

Do you know and understand the legal consequences of distracted driving? Distracted driving claims thousands of lives each year, yet many drivers continue to focus on everything but driving when they get behind the wheel. In 2023 alone, the State of Florida investigated over 54,000 distracted driving accidents. According to Florida Highway Patrol Trooper Migdalisis…

Struck by A Truck: Commercial Work Truck Accidents Feared by Florida Drivers

Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents…these are common on Florida’s roads. But what strikes fear into the hearts of local drivers are commercial work truck accidents…and they’re on the rise. Thanks to the ever-increasing population, the widespread construction of homes and businesses, and large amounts of land clearing, commercial trucks are as common on our…

Aftermath: Dealing with Permanent Disabilities After An Accident

As Tampa Bay’s trusted personal injury attorneys, we are accustomed to helping victims through the aftermath of accidents. What happens though if you’re left with a permanent disability after an accident? Does this affect your settlement? What should you do? Our team is here to answer your questions and give you peace of mind as…