Brandon Man Killed in Tractor-Trailer Accident on US 301 in Tampa, FL
Tampa, FL -- November 30, 2022, a Brandon man was killed after an accident where a semi-truck turned in front of a car on US 301.
Investigators said that the accident happened Wednesday evening along US 301 at the intersection of Selmon Expressway.
Officials said that a 51-year-old Brandon man was in a car traveling southbound through the intersection. From northbound lanes, police believe a tractor-trailer turned through a flashing yellow arrow, and the two vehicles collided.
Due to the collision, the Brandon man sustained fatal injuries. The truck driver may have had minor injuries, reports say. At this time, no further information is available.
Commentary on Brandon Man Tractor-Trailer Accident on US 301 in Tampa
With a crash like this, it's important folks don't simply jump to conclusions. To be frank, the initial details paint a concerning picture that almost always ends up being the result of an inattentive truck driver. That's likely what happened here, but without clear evidence, there's no way to say for sure. That can create serious issues for victims and families when there's a company opposite them doing everything they can to avoid responsibility.
In a crash not long ago, for example, similar events happened, and the family came to us for help. The trucking company involved blamed the victim, saying they were speeding, didn't slow down in time, and weren't wearing a seatbelt. We knew this was a load of crap, but it was our burden to prove as much. Thanks to further independent investigations, crucial details came to light.
One was that the car's speedometer actually froze on impact. That, combined with a painstaking reconstruction of the scene clearly showed that the driver wasn't speeding nor could they have possibly avoided the trailer. Secondly, numerous emergency responders testified they actually had to cut through the victim's seatbelt to get them out of the car. Only after all that did the company cooperate--they didn't really have any other choice, after all.
Unfortunately, that is almost always what happens following a serious commercial truck wreck. Companies aren't out here taking responsibility if they don't have to. That's why victims and families are best served seeking out experienced allies who can anticipate and overcome these hurdles. Are those steps being taken here?
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