According to the Pasco County Sheriff’s office, a Tampa Bay area Sheriff’s Deputy, Darren Hill was seriously injured in a head on crash involving a pickup truck early New Year’s day. The Deputy was able to trigger an emergency signal in his vehicle. He was airlifted to a Tampa hospital where he suffered two broken legs and internal injuries. The driver fled on foot. Florida Highway Patrol arrested a Zephyrhills man on charges of leaving the scene of an accident with a serious injury and driving with an expired license. Sheriff’s deputies also arrested the suspect’s wife, brother and sister-in-law for obstruction. According to authorities, it is unknown if alcohol was involved in the accident at this time.
Here in the Tampa Bay area we all share the roads with many different kinds of trucks ranging from personal pickup trucks, tractor-trailers, delivery vehicles and semi-trucks. Commercial drivers operating heavy trucks and commercial vehicles must comply with additional state and federal safety regulations to protect other drivers on the roads as well as the truck driver. Unfortunately, many accidents involve truck drivers who are unwilling to take proper safety measures when operating their trucks on our highways and roads.
Statistics show that one of the leading causes of accidents involving trucks is driver fatigue. Truck drivers are required to make rest stops to avoid fatigue. Unfortunately, some drivers disobey these rules and choose to continue driving or take drugs to stay awake so that they are able to drive additional hours in order to make work deadlines. Other factors that contribute to truck accidents, whether or not someone is driving for work, may include cellphone usage, texting, using the Internet while driving, driving under the influence of alcohol, speeding, making unsafe lane changes, untrained truck drivers, driving vehicles with worn or defective breaks, unsafe driving records and driving with a suspended or revoked license.
At Brooks Law Group, we are experienced in representing accident victims in the Tampa Bay area who have sustained serious injuries involving truck accidents caused by careless or reckless truck drivers. Our skilled Tampa attorneys will investigate all aspects of your accident, including examining the police report, interviewing witnesses, checking on the driving history of the driver and reviewing maintenance records regarding the truck to determine the cause of the accident. We will then mount a vigorous defense on your behalf to help you obtain damages for your pain and suffering. We offer free consultations and our expertise in helping you make the right decisions about exercising your legal rights so that you can concentrate on healing and getting better.
