Florida Personal Injury Law

Auto Accidents

We are Experienced Automobile Accident Injury Attorneys

Being injured in a car accident can bring a lot of hardships and distressful problems for the victims as well as their families. Aside from the physical afflictions, the victims may have to struggle from both financial and emotional difficulties. Thus, our able car accident lawyers have made our commitment to provide expert advices and representations in achieving suitable legal remedies and recoveries for their sufferings. If someone in your family has experienced these mournful events, let our high caliber lawyers take care of their personal injury claims.

We were able to win millions worth of recoveries for our clients. In handling your case, our car accident lawyers will deeply evaluate all the issues that transpired. Then, with all our resources, we will extend all our efforts to develop a strong case for you. We will examine all the possible compensations that you may obtain based on all the laws that may apply. We knew that the process of pursuing any type of legal action might cause further burden for an injured victim. Hence, we will try our best to perform all the necessary legal actions as you spend more time in getting the right medical treatment for your injuries.

As experienced car accident lawyers in Florida, we will do the following:

• Gather available evidence that can prove the liability of the other parties involved
• Seek for possible witnesses and have their testimonies
• Accomplish all the legal documents necessary in filing a personal injury claim
• Attempt to settle the case out of court for quicker and hastle-free claim resolution
• Make sure your rights are properly defended in all the steps of the legal procedures
• Exercise all the other tasks related in the case Trust in our capability.

With decades of unremitting service to car accident victims, we remain vigorous in submitting to our pledge of providing quality legal services with much compassion and hard work.

Feel free to fill out our free case evaluation form and we will respond to your legal concerns at the soonest time possible. Auto accidents can happen to anyone. Every year millions of people are injured in motor vehicle accidents, many very seriously. You can protect your legal rights by doing the right thing after an accident occurs. p>The first thing you should do after your car has been involved in a collision is stop the car as close as possible to the point of impact without obstructing traffic. Leaving the scene of an accident is subject to criminal prosecution. After stopping, remain at the scene of the accident to aid the injured, protect the scene, report to the police and gather information.

If someone is injured call an ambulance immediately. Tell the ambulance dispatcher the location of the accident and the number of people injured.

Call the police. A police report of the accident will help your insurance claim and any liability claims. When the police arrive, note the name and badge number of each officer. Be sure to give the officer a complete and accurate description of how the accident occurred.

Exchange information with the driver of the other car(s). You should get the following information:

1. Other driver's name, address, phone number, driver's license number, name of insurance company & policy number.

2. Name, address and telephone number of any passengers.

3. Witnesses names, address and phone number.

4. Name, address and telephone number of the owner of the other vehicle.

Make notes about the time of day, weather conditions, road conditions, street lights and length of skid marks. Also make a diagram of the accident notion the location of the other vehicle, cross walks, stop signs and traffic signals.

If you hit a parked car and can't find the owner, leave a note with your name, address and a summary of the accident.

Florida Personal Injury Law

Boat Injuries

Florida is the only state in the Union surrounded by water on three sides. So naturally, boating and other watercraft activities are a great pastime here. Whether you are enjoying time on a privately owned boat, riding a personal watercraft such as a jet ski, or taking a ferry to work you are at risk for serious boating injuries. Although boat operators and owners have a duty to exercise the highest degree of care in order to prevent injuries to others, injuries still frequently occur as the result of negligence or carelessness.

Some of the most common boat accidents are as follows:

• Slip and fall due to a wet surface
• Multiple boat collisions
• Boat sinking or tipping
• Boat fires

Many accidents which take place on watercrafts are the result of a reckless or inexperienced operator or some type of boat malfunction.

There are approximately 13 millions boats and watercrafts registered in the U.S., many of which should be equipped with Coast Guard approved safety devices, such as:

• Personal floatation devices of varying sizes for adults and children
• Sound producing devices, such as a horn, whistle, or bell
• Working radio to make distress calls in the event of an emergency Fire extinguisher
• Visual distress signals such as lights or orange flags
• Ventilation on gasoline powered boats

There are hundreds of thousands of private boat owners in the U.S. Any injury that occurs on or with a boat is considered a boating accident. A boating accident can occur on someone's privately owned boat, a personal watercraft (jet ski), or even a ferry. It is a general rule of law that the operator of a boat and its owner have a duty to exercise the highest degree of care in order to prevent injuries to others.

The most common boating accidents are collisions with other boats, slip and falls on the boat, sinking, and boat disappearance. Boating injuries usually occur because of a reckless or careless operator, boat malfunction, or an inexperienced operator.

The skilled boating accident attorneys at Hudgins Law Firm have the experience and resources to properly handle lawsuits against the owners and operators of private boats, personal watercraft and commercial ferries. If you have been involved in a boating or watercraft accident, you need the best representation to fight for your rights as an injured victim.

Our lawyers have recovered tens of millions of dollar over the years for our injured clients. When looking for a Florida boat injury lawyer, look for someone who is experienced in handling boat accident claims and who works on a contingency basis (which means he or she gets paid only after getting you compensation for your damage and injuries).

The attorneys of Hudgins Law Firm know the laws that relate to your Florida boat accident and understand you're likely facing many challenges as a result of your accident. That's why we take every step necessary to make your relationship with us convenient and reassuring.

Florida Personal Injury Law

Brain Injuries

Traumatic brain Injury (TBI) is the term used to describe the damage to the brain suffered as a result of a sudden physical force. The human brain consists of billions of microscopic fibers, suspended in cerebrospinal fluid. While the exterior skull is smooth, the inner surface contains ribbing & pronounced bony structures. Impact with these inner surfaces of the skull causes tearing & bruising that results in brain damage. Brain damage can be among the most severe & debilitating of all injuries.

Injuries occur when momentum of the brain causes it to impact against a skull that has been decelerated. Typically, TBI is caused by the impact of the head with an object, like hitting a windshield or the dashboard of a car. In such cases, the Injury is considered to be a closed head Injury.

Closed head Injury also may occur when the brain undergoes a severe forward or backward shaking, such as with infants who are mishandled or in cases involving whiplash suffered during an automobile accident. TBI can also be caused by a penetrating head Injury , whereby an object such as a bullet penetrates through the skull and into the brain.

Closed head injuries present unique challenges in litigation since they often will demonstrate no obvious external symptoms of Injury , even though the damage to the brain can be severe. TBI does not refer to brain injuries or defects that are hereditary, congenital or degenerative, or induced by head trauma, toxic substances, or disease-producing organisms.

Florida Personal Injury Law

Catastrophic Injuries

The lawyers at Hudgins Law Firm have extensive experience in gauging the full costs of current and future needs for victims of catastrophic injuries. We have obtained substantial settlements and jury verdicts in personal injury litigation and negotiation for clients.

We consult with top medical experts and planners to develop a life care plan for victims of spine injury, head injury, severe burns, vision loss, lost limbs, paralysis, and all forms of major, life-changing injury. We account for future medical treatment and personal care, medical equipment and transportation, loss of income potential, and compensatory damages for loss of enjoyment. Our spinal cord injury attorneys work closely with victims and their doctors to ensure that they receive only the total compensation required for a lifelong injury.

Catastrophic Injuries - An Overview

A catastrophic injury or illness usually occurs suddenly and without warning. Injuries that are considered catastrophic (due to the enormous impact they have on the lives of the individuals who experience them) include the following: brain injury, spinal cord injury, amputation, severe burns, multiple fractures, or other, neurological disorders.

A catastrophic injury or illness very often causes severe disruption to the central nervous system, which in turn affects many other systems of the body. In addition to possible loss of movement, sensation, and communicative and cognitive abilities, the injury or illness may impact respiration, circulation, skin, the urinary system, the gastrointestinal system, and other body systems. Management of such an injury is complex and may require the expertise of a team of health professionals including physicians, consultants, nurses, therapists, and counselors. Clearly, the long-term needs of someone who has experienced this type of injury far surpass those of individuals with less severe injuries.

Individuals may recover from some catastrophic injuries if they receive proper, early medical treatment; however, others may experience permanent disability, significant suffering, and reduced life spans. If you or your loved one has suffered catastrophic injuries as the result of an accident, consult an attorney to learn your rights to compensation. A lawyer experienced in catastrophic injury litigation can help you learn what your rights are.

If a catastrophic injury was caused by the negligent or intentional act of another, or by a dangerous or defective product, a personal injury claim by the victim will be an integral factor in his or her future quality of life, including the quality of the medical care and other support he or she will receive. Because of the huge financial impact a catastrophic injury has, one of the most important aspects of bringing a personal injury claim is the determination of the value of such a claim. A person whose earning capacity has been substantially reduced and who is likely facing a lifetime of care requires an experienced attorney, with specialized knowledge of his or her particular type of injury, to ensure that the injured person obtains all of the financial support he or she will need, possibly for decades to come.

The long-term implications of many catastrophic injuries do not surface or become apparent until years after the original injury. For example, individuals who are injured as children may experience changes in their abilities/disabilities as they grow, requiring surgeries or other medical intervention to accommodate their growth. Similarly, a burn victim might continue to undergo reconstructive surgeries for many years after the original injury. Thus, an attorney who understands the long-term implications of such injuries will be better able to ensure that victims receive just compensation and sufficient resources for the future.

Florida Personal Injury Law

Drunk Driver Injuries

Drinking and driving is an unfortunate and costly choice far too many people make. Tragically, these poor decisions can lead to loss of life when the impaired driver causes a car accident. If you've been the victim or lost a loved one due to a Florida drunk driving auto accident, you need someone on your side to help you navigate the legal system. We understand the hardship and uncertainty you're facing as a result of the accident, and we're ready to help you get compensated for the pain, suffering, and injuries you're enduring.

DUI: It's a Crime

Driving under the influence with a blood alcohol level of .08% or greater is a crime. When someone gets behind the wheel of a car after drinking, he or she is placing both his or her own life and the lives of everyone else on the road in danger. Such a careless choice should not go without redress, particularly when other people are injured or killed because of a reckless decision.

As the victim of a drunk driving auto accident, whether you were injured or you've tragically lost a loved one, you deserve to be compensated for physical and emotional injuries, lost wages, pain and suffering, disability, and other loss caused by the accident. The process to get compensation you feel is comparable to what you're facing can be challenging, as insurance companies can give you the runaround and try to give as little as possible or even hurt your claim. At Hudgins Law Firm, we know you're already trying to handle enough. We can help you by representing you and your best interests to the insurance companies and in court, should a trial be necessary.

Getting Support

For more than 30 years, our Florida personal injury law firm has represented thousands of people who have endured similar tragedies. Our experience and our dedicated team of support staff enable us to focus our attention on your drunk driving injury claim. Should you choose to have one of Hudgins Law Firm'a personal injury lawyers represent you, rest assured that we'll keep you informed at every step of the way and we'll fight for what you deserve. We're here to support you, answer your questions, and take some of the burden off your shoulders.

As you recover from your or your loved one's Florida drunk driving accident, consider other sources of support as well to help you through this trying time. Friends and family are always a good place to look for emotional support and a helping hand with the many tasks brought on by the accident, whether it is traveling to and from doctor's appointments or handling matters following a loved one's death. Mothers Against Drunk Driving, or MADD (www.madd.org), a nonprofit organization with the mission to stop drunk driving and support the victims of drunk driving accidents, is an excellent resource for support as well.

What to Do Next

It's important that in the days and weeks following your Florida drunk driving accident that you document your injuries, medical care, and recovery progress. Doing this is easy and should require little time.

Because bruises, broken bones, and lacerations eventually heal, begin by taking photos of initial injuries; these pictures can be used as evidence for your injury lawyer as he or she negotiates your settlement or tries your case. Also take note of how you feel and how the injuries hinder your daily life - for example, if the pain was so bad you couldn't sleep or despite pain medication you remained in pain for days. It may also be beneficial for your claim if you document the medication you take and keep records of your doctor's visits and medical bills.

Other items to keep for your claim include the accident report, photographs of the accident scene and the involved vehicles, and names and contact information of witnesses and others involved.

What to do if you are injured by a drunk driver in Florida:

1. Get medical care as soon as possible, even if you do not feel seriously injured. You may be in a state of shock and not feel back, neck or other soft tissue injuries until days later. The longer you wait to obtain treatment, the harder it will be for you to prove that your injuries were caused by the drunk driver accident.
2. Contact an Florida drunk driver accident lawyer right away to protect your right to compensation. Most Florida personal injury lawyers will offer a free initial consultation to drunk driver victims.
3. Let your attorney handle all communications with both your insurance company and the insurance company of the drunk driver.

Florida Personal Injury Law

Dog Bite Injuries

Children Most Often The Victims

It may surprise you that Florida is ranked first in the nation in fatal dog attacks. Hudgins Law Firm handles numerous dog attack cases each year.

Children are most often the victims of serious dog attacks for several reasons. They are boisterous, loud and make unpredictable movements that can scare dogs. And what a child might see as an expression of love - a simple hug- can be an explicit threat to the animal.

Each year, dogs bite about 4.7 million people in the United States. On average, 800,000 require medical attention; more than half are children. About a dozen of those injuries are usually fatal, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control.

Florida Personal Injury Law

Head Injuries

When a person's negligence causes a traumatic head injury in Florida, the victim and the family of the injury victim needs and deserves compensation. The attorneys of Hudgins Law Firm have more than 50 combined years of experience helping families get the money they are entitled to. Our lawyers have provided more information about their practice on our main brain injuries page; for more general legal information, read the following.

Head Injury - An Overview

Depending on the severity and location of the injury, the effects of a head injury can range from a minor annoyance to very serious and life-threatening. The study and diagnosis of head injuries is very complex. There may be overt signs of the injury such as loss of speech and motor skills, or there may only be more subtle personality changes. If you or a loved one have suffered a head injury you should contact a lawyer with experience representing clients in head injury-related legal claims to discuss your options.

The Effects of a Head Injury

The effects of a brain injury largely depend on the severity of the injury, and the location of the affected part of the brain. All head injuries have the potential to be serious.

A concussion is the common result of a blow to the head or a sudden deceleration. It results from a jarring of the brain. A concussion is graded according to its severity; depending on the loss of consciousness, amnesia and loss of equilibrium. A concussion often results in a period of altered consciousness during which the person is dazed or disoriented.

A severe head injury may also cause a coma. Coma is defined as a state of unconsciousness from which the patient cannot be awakened or aroused, even by powerful stimulation.

Amnesia is generally defined as the loss of memory, or a period of forgetfulness. Anterograde amnesia is defined as the inability to remember events beginning with the onset of the injury. Retrograde amnesia is defined as the loss of memory regarding events preceding the injury.

Florida Personal Injury Law

Motorcycle Accidents

Many motor vehicle accidents, especially high-speed collisions, result in severe injuries, including whiplash, bone fractures, spinal cord injuries, carpal tunnel syndrome, or a traumatic brain injury. The effects of these injuries are not always apparent until a few days following an accident. If you or a loved one has suffered a serious injury as the result of a Florida car, truck, or motorcycle accident, an attorney from our firm will make sure that you receive the appropriate medical exams for early detection of any complex injuries, as well as treatment to prevent a more serious condition from developing.

Motorcycle accidents often result in serious injuries or death to the operator or passenger involved. Injuries range from a minimum of road rash, to fractured bones, amputations, head injuries and death. The law governing motorcycle accidents differs greatly from the law governing accidents involving only automobiles.

Hudgins Law Firm has extensive experience handling motorcycle accident Injury matters throughout Florida.

Florida Personal Injury Law

School Bus Accidents

School bus accidents are the most tragic of all motor vehicle accidents due to the inherent involvement of young children. As a result, substantial damages are often at issue in cases of this type, and vigorous representation is required to bring all responsible parties to justice.

Because we entrust them with our children's safety and lives, school bus drivers must abide by all transportation laws, including laws that prohibit speeding and consuming alcohol before or while driving. In addition, the companies that maintain public transportation vehicles like buses are liable for the safety of their vehicles. If you or your child has been injured in a school bus accident, we can help.

A school bus-related crash is a crash which involves, either directly or indirectly, a school bus-type vehicle, or a vehicle functioning as a school bus, transporting children to or from school or school-related activities. Florida

We entrust school bus drivers with our children's safety and their lives. The drivers must abide by all transportation laws, including laws that prohibit speeding and consuming alcohol before or while driving. In addition, drivers of school buses must abide by a higher duty of care for schoolchildren, who are seen to have a special status in the eyes of the law and deserve more than ordinary protection.

School bus accidents can be caused by such contributing factors as driver negligence, dangerous roadways, weather conditions, defective products and improper maintenance, among others. These accidents may lead to death or serious physical injury, including:

• Head injuries

• Burn injuries

• Brain and spinal cord injuries

• Fractured bones

• Cuts and bruising

• Amputations

• Internal injuries

A school bus accident can impact the lives of the victim and his or her family. Depending on the severity of the accident, the victim may need to undergo surgery or visit numerous specialists. Treatment for school bus-related injuries may be very expensive and cause financial stress on the family. If you retain a skilled bus accident injury lawyer you may be able to recover monetary compensation for your injuries and other accident-related costs.

The school bus accident attorneys of Hudgins Law Firm will perform a thorough investigation of the factors contributing to the school bus accident to better understand who should be held liable. You may be able to file a claim against the bus company to recover for your damages. If you were a passenger on a bus that was involved in an accident, the bus company, whether public or private, owes you the "utmost duty of care" associated with being a common carrier. This "duty of utmost care" is higher than the negligence duty owed by the bus company to drivers of other vehicles and pedestrians.

Florida Personal Injury Law

Slip & Fall Injuries

A slip and fall injury occurs when a person slips and falls as a result of a dangerous or hazardous condition on someone else's property. Inside a building, dangerous conditions such as torn carpeting, abrupt changes in flooring, poor lighting, narrow stairs, or a wet floor can cause you to slip and hurt yourself. Outside a building, you may slip and fall because of moisture or a hidden hazard, such as a gap or hard to see pothole in the ground. Slip and fall accidents can occur on commercial, residential or public property. Regardless of where they happen, all property or building owners have a certain level of responsibility (duty of care) to make sure an environment is safe.

Slip and fall accidents are the most common type of "premises liability" cases, which center on the question of a property owner's duty to care for the property. Injury by fire or other accidents resulting from defects in the conditions of buildings also fall under this category.

Slip and fall cases are governed under negligence law. To win a premises liability claim in most states, an injured victim generally has to prove either that the defendant created the hazard that led to the accident or that the defendant knew or should have known about the danger and had it removed or repaired.

Florida Personal Injury Law

Spinal Cord Injuries

A spinal cord injury (SCI) can be a traumatic and devastating experience, and may result in a lifetime of pain, suffering and expensive medical costs. At Hudgins Law Firm, our spinal cord injury attorneys know how devastating these injuries can be. We have more than 25 years of experience in helping spinal cord injury victims put their lives back together, and are available to discuss your case with you. Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) is damage to the spinal cord that results in a loss of function such as mobility or feeling.

A spinal cord injury usually involves some sort of trauma to the nerve cells that form the spinal cord. As the spinal cord carries messages from the brain to different parts of the body to control functions such as movement, breathing, and speaking, an injury to the spinal cord disrupts this communication, leading to the impairment of the body's sensory, motor and involuntary reflex functions. These disruptions can lead to two devastating conditions: paraplegia, which is paralysis of the lower portions of the body, or quadriplegia, which is paralysis of the upper and lower parts of the body, depending upon the nature and extent of the SCI.

A spinal cord injury case can be very complicated, and you need an experienced and aggressive attorney to successfully handle your Florida SCI case.

Florida Personal Injury Law

Tractor Trailer Accidents

Commercial truck drivers work long hours driving large vehicles and are often prone to fatigue, increasing their risk of colliding with another truck or passenger vehicle. Because trucks have a larger impact than passenger vehicles during a collision, the results can be especially devastating. Trucking accident victims may experience serious personal injury, financial setbacks, and sometimes even death. If you or a loved one has been involved in a truck accident, Hudgins Law Firm can help. Our law firm has investigated hundreds of truck accidents in throughout Florida. Hudgins Law Firm has the experience and knowledge to represent your case.

Victims who survive a truck accident may have major injuries requiring years of recovery or a lifetime of care. Victims may incur medical expenses, lost wages and future earning potential, pain and suffering and loss of enjoyment. In wrongful death claims, we represent family members in recovering damages for lost income, loss of companionship of the loved one, and emotional distress.

The law requires that the person or company responsible for causing the accident to pay for your car accident injuries and repairs. In Florida, injured persons may be able to have a portion of their medical bills and loss wages paid with their insurance coverage referred to as personal injury protection, commonly referred to as PIP. Many victims of auto, motorcycle, and truck accidents in Florida try to handle their own personal injury cases, hoping that the insurance companies involved will settle promptly and fairly.

Unfortunately, not all insurance companies respond in that manner, and this is one of the reasons you need a Florida tractor-trailer accident lawyer on your side. Sometimes the insurance companies only pay attention to their obligations to their stockholders and policyholders, not to people injured in a Florida car accident. Insurance companies have enormous advantages: vast wealth, armies of sharp, experienced adjusters and attorneys, and dozens of arguments for reducing or denying your claim. They know that if they can delay long enough or create enough roadblocks you may not pursue the recovery of all that you are entitled to. With the tractor-trailer accident lawyers at Hudgins Law Firm, our obligation is to you and we will help protect your rights

Florida Personal Injury Law

Truck Accidents

A serious trucking accident can change the life of an individual and their family forever. There may be sudden loss of income, expensive medical bills, numerous therapy and doctor visits, and grief. If you or a loved one has been involved in a truck accident, you need a lawyer who comprehends the changes and burdens you and your family have to endure. Our law firm focuses on clients' needs and on maximizing their financial recovery.

Comprehensive Truck Accident Representation As experienced personal injury and wrongful death lawyers, we are able to offer more information and guidance to clients involving the following trucking accident issues:

As experienced personal injury and wrongful death lawyers, we are able to offer more information and guidance to clients involving the following trucking accident issues:

• Tractor Trailer Accidents
• Hazardous Cargo and Spills
• Texting and Trucking
• Improperly Loaded Cargo - Overloads
• DUI Trucking Accidents
• Truck Driver Drug Use
• Types of trucking accidents: semi truck accidents, commercial truck accidents, semi jackknifes, and other truck accidents.
• Causes of trucking accidents: There can be many contributing factors to a trucking accident. We uncover all of the causes and pursue full liability of all parties who were at fault.
• Negligent hiring of truck drivers: Did the trucking company fail to perform background checks, or verify previous driving records or accident records?
• Truck driver negligence: Was a driver fatigued, eating, speeding, or driving recklessly?
• Truck maintenance: Did poor maintenance of the vehicle by the operator or owner contribute to the accident?
• Who can be held liable: We pursue all angles of who contributed to the accident and who can be held accountable. We aim to maximize your recovery.
• Early investigation after a truck accident: Evidence can become unavailable very quickly after a truck accident, we move quickly and efficiently to investigate and recover evidence to enable better presentation of your case.
• Railroad Crossing Accidents

Tractor Trailer Accidents

A serious trucking accident can change the life of an individual and their family forever. There may be sudden loss of income, expensive medical bills, numerous therapy and doctor visits, and grief. The cost of a truck accident can be substantial when serious injuries and fatalities create additional expenses and in the case of a fatality, eliminate a source of income. Our attorneys work closely with medical economists and life care planners evaluating the financial impact of a truck accident on our clients. Working from cost data maintained by HMOs and insurance companies, we consider the cost of current and future medical treatment, surgery, physical therapy, medical equipment, and lost wages. When gross negligence involves drunk driving or egregious violations of the law, our office pursues damages for loss in quality of life as well. And, since truck drivers often try and blame the other driver for causing an accident, our attorneys work with accident investigators in determining the cause of a tractor trailer accident.

Causes of Truck Accidents

• Excessive speeding
• Driver fatigue / falling asleep at the wheel
• Cargo overload
• DUI / drunk driving
• Driving under the influence of drugs
• Texting and driving
• Hazardous cargo and spills
• Absence of a Mansfield bar
• Improper reflective markings
• Improperly pulled off onto shoulder of road

Exposing Negligence on the part of Truck Drivers

It's not uncommon for truck drivers to blame a car driver for causing an accident. Exposing truck driver negligence is essential for assigning fault and recovering the full compensation you deserve. In investigating truck accidents our attorneys work with accident investigators in measuring skid marks, review data from a truck's on-board black box data recorder, analyzing GPS information, and inspecting a driver's log book.

By comparing fuel receipts against GPS information we can often determine if a truck driver exceeded his maximum allowable drive time hours. This is important in cases where driver fatigue is a factor. In measuring skid marks and analyzing data from a truck's black box data recorder, we can often determine if a truck driver was speeding or engaged in unusual driving maneuvers.

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Hazardous Cargo and Spills

Shipping and hauling "hazmat" - hazardous materials - is tightly regulated and controlled. In order to haul hazardous cargo, truck drivers must be specially trained and licensed. Since certain kinds of chemicals and gases must be refrigerated, truck drivers must pay particular attention to the functioning of their truck, in addition to following certain routes and observing specific kinds of driving regulations. When spills and accidents happen involving hazardous materials, driver error, improperly loaded cargo, and poor vehicle maintenance are often involved. At the, our lawyers consult hazmat experts, accident investigators, and trucking professionals in determining what happened and how a spill could have been avoided.

Injuries Associated with Hazardous Cargo and Spills

• Burns
• Disfigurement
• Lung damage
• Exposure to carcinogens
• Head trauma
• Amputations
• Neuropathy
• Gastro-intestinal damage
• Loss of eyesight

Transporting Hazardous Materials

The Department of Transportation has adopted the same requirements as determined by the United Nations for transporting hazmat. Accordingly, hazardous materials must be properly identified with a placard, labeled, and transported within proper packaging. Tractor trailers must use a four digit United Nations number which can be identified by fire fighters, police, or ambulances responding to the scene of an accident. This four digit number allows emergency response personnel to identify the hazardous materials carried in a tanker or truck.

Failure to adhere to any one of these requirements constitutes negligence for which a trucking company and its driver can be held liable. When investigating accidents involving hazardous cargo, our attorneys identify state and federal safety violations that play a role in causing accidents or making the response to them more difficult and dangerous.

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Texting and Trucking

Trucking companies are under increasing pressure to deliver goods faster and cheaper. As a result, truck drivers are silently encouraged to exceed the maximum amount of driving hours as permitted by federal law. Additionally, in order to meet deadlines, truck drivers may speed - at times, excessively. Now, with cell phones, truck drivers can send text messages to their employer, a delivery drop point, or family members regarding their schedule and location.

Distraction = Accidents

This often results in truck drivers taking their eyes off the road, leaving them unprepared to react to slick road surfaces or the traffic around them. We work closely with investigators in establishing the role of text messaging in truck driving accidents. Since most truck drivers deny they were texting at the time of an accident, it's important to expose the truth and establish fault on the part of truck drivers.

Investigating Truck Accidents involving Texting and Driving

Most truck drivers deny they were texting and driving given the serious implications for their job, insurance, and driving record if caught. However, each time a text message is sent, it is catalogued by the cell phone used and the carrier providing service. Additionally, most trucks have either an onboard black box data recorder or a GPS tracking system. By comparing cell phone records against GPS data or information from a truck's black box data recorder, we may be able to determine if a driver was texting prior to or during an accident.

Working with accident investigators, electronics experts, and other professionals, we can also determine if a truck driver was speeding at the time or engaged in excessive driving maneuvers to regain control of his truck. By examining and measuring skid marks and information from a truck's black box data recorder, we can tell if the steering wheel was jerked to one side or another, suggesting a truck driver did not have both hands on the wheel or was not in full control of his vehicle.

Determining the Cost of a Texting and Driving Truck Accident

Truck accidents often involve serious head wounds, spinal cord injuries and amputations. In order to ensure our clients recover damages proportional to the financial impact of their injuries, our attorneys consult medical economists and life care planners. We look at costs associated with lost wages, physical therapy, in-home care, medical equipment, and diminished quality of life.

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Improperly Loaded Cargo - Overloads

Trucking companies are responsible for complying with state and federal regulations governing the weight of a truck, the materials transported, and how a flat bed should be properly loaded. In cases involving improperly loaded cargo, load shifts or an overload can result in overturned trucks, falling debris, and transported goods falling onto the highway.

Our lawyers work with accident investigators, trucking consultants, and shipping experts in cases involving cargo overloads and cargo shifts that lead to serious accidents. In cases involving covering tarps and straps used to cover loose debris or pipes, we work to expose improperly secured coverings and material failures that result in cargo hitting cars or falling onto the highway. We interview eyewitnesses, truck drivers, and those responsible for loading trucks to determine what happened and why.

Trucking Accidents due to Cargo Overloads and Cargo Shifts

Our personal injury attorneys represent people injured in truck accidents due to the following:

• Pipes falling onto the highway
• Blowing pebbles, chat, or stone from an improperly covered truck
• Improperly secured tarp coverings
• Cement pouring trough coming loose on Cement mixer truck
• Chemical spill or gas leak due to improperly secured tanker
• Cargo overload
• Load shift

Determining Who is at Fault in Cargo Overload Accidents

In today's global economy, one company may own a truck, another company may employ its driver, and a third load its cargo. In truck accidents involving overloaded cargo or cargo shifts, there may be as many as two or three companies potentially liable. When our attorneys investigate cargo-related truck accidents, we assess a number of contributing factors in order to ensure our client receives compensation proportional to his or her injuries.

Since truck accidents often involve head trauma, spinal cord injuries, amputations, and fatalities, we're particularly attentive to determining who is liable for our client's injuries. While goods may have been improperly loaded at a manufacturer, a truck driver bears some responsibility for inspecting the safety of his or her load. Likewise, while a truck part may be responsible for a load shift, if the cargo was too heavy in the first place, those responsible for overloading the truck may be held liable as well.

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DUI Trucking Accidents

Under Texas state law, holders of a commercial driver's license are held to a stricter standard when it comes to blood alcohol count (BAC) and drunk driving. Holders of a commercial driver's license are considered legally drunk - whether they are driving a truck or their own car - if their BAC registers .04 or higher. This is important to remember in truck accidents involving truck drivers who have been drinking. Not only can they be held liable, but under Texas dram shop laws, bar owners, restaurants, liquor stores, or others who served a truck driver alcohol may be liable as well. Our attorneys work with investigators, medical experts, forensic specialists, and police trainers in exposing drunk truck drivers who cause accidents and fatalities involving our clients.

Liability for a drunk driving accident involving a truck may extend beyond the truck driver. Given the serious nature of accidents involved in truck accidents, it's important to recover damages from everyone who may be liable for your injuries.

Injuries caused by Drunk Truck Driver

We recover damages for people hurt in drunk driving truck accidents involving the following kinds injuries:

• Head trauma
• Brain damage
• Crushed vertebrae
• Paralysis
• Neck injury
• Back injury
• Amputations
• Burns
• Disfigurement

Determining if the Truck Driver was Drunk

In dram shop cases, it must be proven that a bar, restaurant, or other provider of alcohol knowingly served a truck driver who was visibly intoxicated. Towards this end, our office interviews witnesses, waiters, reviews bar tabs, and credit card statements. In doing so, we can often determine how much alcohol was served and over what period of time. If a truck has an on-board black box data recorder, it may be possible to identify over-compensating turns, erratic driving, and other behavior indicative of someone driving under the influence.

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Truck Driver Drug Use

Truck drivers are often under pressure to pick up and deliver goods across hundreds or thousands of miles. As a result, many drive uninterrupted for long periods of time, sometimes in violation of state and federal restrictions on drive time hours. In order to stay on schedule and drive for extended periods of time, some drivers use stimulants and "uppers" to stay awake.

ThThese drugs can lead to excessive speeding, paranoia, sleep depression, and other side effects that impair a truck driver's ability to drive safely and responsibly. Our attorneys work with investigators, lab technicians, drug experts, and other professionals in holding truck drivers financially responsible for accidents caused by drug use.

Illegal Drugs and Truck Drivers

Certain kinds of drugs and narcotics can be detected in the blood weeks after their original use. In cases involving drug use and truck accidents, it may not be immediately evident that drug use played a role in impairing a truck driver's judgment or response time. If our attorneys brought into a case early on, they can request that a driver be given a drug test to determine if any traces of illicit drugs are in their system.

Since drivers are often under pressure to drive long hours - some of them "off the clock" - the use of "bennys" and other stimulants are not uncommon. Using lab results, we look at the speed a truck was traveling, how long a driver had been driving, and whether evidence of erratic driving was involved.

The Cost of Serious Injuries Sustained in Truck Accidents

MoMost injuries in truck accidents are catastrophic, involving head trauma, spinal cord damage, amputations, and burns. To ensure our clients receive compensation proportional to the financial needs created by their injuries, our attorneys consult medical economists and life care planners. We look at the cost of surgery, hospitalization, in home nursing care, medical equipment, rehabilitation, and lost wages.

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Types of Trucking Accidentsa

The consequences of being injured in a severe trucking accident can be overwhelming. You need an attorney who understands what < causes trucking accidents as well as who can be held liable for different types of accidents. We offer experienced representation and personalized attention. We understand what steps are necessary to ensure you recover the full compensation you deserve.

Regardless of the type of truck involved, there are usually more complex causation and liability issues in a trucking accident, than in a car accident. We utilize our knowledge of trucking accident issues to maximize your damage recovery. As skilled truck accident attorneys, we have thorough understanding of all types of trucking accidents, such as:

18 wheeler accident

Tractor trailer accident

Big rig crash

Semi truck jackknife

Commercial truck accident

Dump truck accident

Bus accident

Garbage truck accident

Override/Underride accidents

Delivery truck accident

Utility truck accident

Bucket truck/cherry picker accident

Fire truck crash

Tanker truck rear-end accident

SUV rollover

Commercial vehicle accident

15 passenger van accident

Other trucking accidents

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Causes of Trucking Accidents

There are many questions that arise after you or a loved one is involved in a serious truck accident. We understand how difficult it is to move forward after an accident. You need to understand how and why the accident happened. We work diligently and quickly to uncover what went wrong, why the accident occurred, and how we can obtain financial compensation for your damages.

Investigating the Cause of the Truck Accident

There are many areas of negligence that can lead to semi truck accidents, tractor trailer accidents, and other types of trucking accidents. As experienced truck accident lawyers, we implement thorough investigation to ensure we uncover the causes of the accident to maximize your recovery. The following are some factors that may contribute to a truck accident:

• Negligent technology usage: Was the truck driver talking on a cell phone, sending E-mails, or using other means of communication rather than being attentive to the road.
• Negligent hiring of truck drivers: Did the trucking company fail to verify driving history, accident history, or driver credentials?
• Truck driver negligence: Was the driver speeding, taking wide turns, driving recklessly, drinking, sleeping, or utilizing stay-awake drugs or other illegal substances?
• Negligent truck maintenance: Did defective brakes, poorly maintained tires, or other improperly maintained equipment cause the accident?
• Negligent road maintenance: Did unsafe road conditions or poorly maintained roads contribute to the truck accident?
• Defective products: Did defective brakes, poor hydraulics, defective tires, or other defective equipment cause the accident?
• Other contributory factors: Did truck driver fatigue, improper load balancing, overweight load, blind spots, sudden lane changes, or other causes lead to the jackknife, rollover, or other truck accident?

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Negligent Hiring of Truck Drivers

If a truck driver's negligence contributed to a severe trucking accident, the driver's employer is automatically liable. However, by proving that the truck company knowingly placed a bad driver on the road, we can help you recover maximum compensation for your injuries or loss. We have been committed to maximum client recovery since 1990.

Negligent Hiring Practices

Profit is often outweighed by safety. Performing vital background checks and other verifications may be overlooked in the interest of getting another driver on the road. Federal motor carriers have a duty to ensure the truck drivers placed on the road are safe and qualified. As experienced truck accident lawyers, we carefully investigate and evaluate if the company utilized negligent hiring practices.

• Did the driver have a valid CDL (commercial driver's license)?
• What were the driver's driving qualifications?
• Did the driver submit to and pass drug testing?
• Did the driver have a criminal history?
• Did the driver have a history of chemical dependency?
• Was the driver medically qualified to drive a semi truck or other large truck?
• Did the driver have a poor driving record?
• What was the driver's accident history?
• Was the driver involved in other catastrophic or fatal trucking accidents?
• Did the company have a reputation for hiring bad drivers?
• Did the company routinely hire drivers with drug or alcohol abuse problems?

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Truck Driver Negligence

Semi truck accidents are often caused because the truck driver was fatigued, inattentive, or otherwise negligent. We uncover truck driver negligence and pursue full liability for that negligence.

Truck Operator Negligence - Substance Abuse and Speeding

Truck drivers are often under rigid deadlines they must meet in order to earn sufficient income. Therefore, a driver may be inclined to drive too fast or drive while overtired. Additionally, the driver may take illegal drugs to stay awake while driving. We work to uncover evidence of driver negligence, such as:

• Was the driver under the influence of alcohol or illegal substances?
• Was the driver under the influence of drugs to stay awake?
• Was the driver driving too fast for the road or weather conditions?
• Was the driver speeding to make more profit or meet deadlines?

Truck Operator Negligence - Inattention

There are many factors that can easily distract a truck driver while on the road. We investigate to find if the driver was preoccupied with something other than driving, which may have contributed to the accident.

• Was the driver eating or smoking while driving?
• Was the driver talking on a cell phone while driving?
• Was the driver sending e-mails or text messages while driving?
• Was the driver completing reports while driving?
• Was the driver focusing attention on discussions over the CB radio?

Truck Operator Negligence - Inaccurate Reporting

Because driver fatigue or poor maintenance are common causes of trucking accidents, truck drivers are required to keep logs detailing their hours of driving, hours in the sleeper berth, and maintenance of the vehicle. As experienced truck accident lawyers, we review the driver logs and compare them to factual evidence we have retrieved to determine if log books were falsified.

• Did the driver fail to accurately complete maintenance log books resulting in poor maintenance of the vehicle?
• Was the driver actually sleeping when in the sleeper berth?
• Was the driver accounting for other manual labor done prior to driving, such as loading the truck?

Other Truck Operator Negligence

For safety reasons, drivers transporting hazardous material must know how to proceed in the event of a trucking accident or a leak. However, many drivers are unaware of what they need to do following an accident. This failure to move quickly can result in catastrophic injuries.

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Truck Maintenance

Defective equipment or poorly maintained equipment can contribute to an 18 wheeler accident or intensify the severity of an accident. We analyze all details of the trucking accident which are relevant to the issues of liability and compensation.

Investigating Semi Truck Maintenance

Truck drivers, truck owners, truck leasing companies, and others have a duty to make sure that their vehicle (big rig, bucket truck, or commercial truck) is properly maintained and in safe working condition prior to placing the truck on the road. Failure to complete maintenance logs and routinely inspect the truck can result in an unsafe vehicle traveling at high speeds and causing a serious trucking accident.

• Did the tractor trailer have reflective tape visible to other drivers at night?
• Did the semi truck have adequate lighting enabling other drivers to see the truck and allowing the driver to see other vehicles?
• Did under-inflated tires result in a tire blowout?
• Did poor vehicle maintenance result in faulty brakes, worn tires, or defective hydraulics and cause an accident?

As experienced trucking accident lawyers, we have the experience and resources to thoroughly investigate and analyze serious accidents. We take on the burden of meticulously investigating, preparing, and presenting your case so that you can focus on more important things in your life

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Who Can Be Held Liable?

Whether you have been injured in a tractor trailer accident or a loved one was killed in a semi truck accident, you deserve a compassionate attorney who understands the hardships you are experiencing. We understand the physical, emotional, and financial burdens that can result from a trucking accident. We strive to alleviate your burdens by seeking full compensation from all possible parties who may have contributed to the accident.

Experienced Lawyers Fighting for Maximum Recovery

We are experienced in analyzing complex truck accidents and evaluating all possible source of recovery. We investigate all possible areas of negligence and all possible parties who may have been negligent. As experienced personal injury and wrongful death attorneys, we pursue all means necessary to recover the maximum compensation for our client. The following are some potential parties that may have liability for a truck accident:

• Truck operator: The FMCSA regulates the amount of time a truck driver may operate a large truck as well as other issues. If the truck driver violates operator regulations, such as by driving extended hours, loading the truck without accounting for the time, taking stay-awake drugs, or driving under the influence, the truck driver may be held liable.
• Truck owner and equipment owner: The owner of the truck cab, the truck trailer, and other truck equipment may be held liable. The owners have a responsibility to inspect and maintain this equipment and ensure it is safe for travel.
• Truck or equipment leasing company: A carrier that leases a semi truck cab, tractor trailer, or truck equipment is responsible for inspecting and maintaining equipment leased. The carrier may be held liable for trucking accidents.
• Truck loading company: A truck rollover accident may be caused by an overweight or unbalanced load. The truck loaders have a responsibility to load the truck and ensure that the load is balanced appropriately and does not shift.
• Truck driving agencies: An agency that leases truck drivers to other companies may be held accountable for negligent hiring practices or for setting schedules that encourage speeding or extended driving hours.
• Truck manufacturers and part manufacturers: Vehicle and part manufacturers, designers, and distributors may be held liable for dangerous or defective products that contributed to an accident.
• Federal, State, and Local Road Authorities: Poor design, construction, and maintenance of roads or highways may contribute to an accident. The agency responsible for the design, construction or maintenance of the road may be held liable for the unsafe and dangerous road condition.

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Early investigation after a truck accident

If you or a loved one has been involved in a severe trucking accident, it is important that you consult with an experienced truck accident lawyer immediately. We start investigating your case right away, before witnesses forget what happened or documents are destroyed. Early, thorough investigation is necessary to recover the compensation you deserve.

Immediate and Thorough Truck Accident Investigation

We are compassionate attorneys. We recognize that there may be higher priorities than calling an attorney immediately after a catastrophic injury or loss of a loved one. However, the trucking company will start investigating the accident within minutes of the accident. They will use investigators, insurance adjusters, and a team of defense attorneys - all planning how to diminish your claim, minimize your loss, and reduce exposure of detrimental evidence.

It is important to have an experienced trucking accident lawyer on your side, protecting your interests. We work quickly to investigate and recover important evidence that will benefit your case, such as:

• We speak with the police officer and determine if the police report was influenced by the truck driver or truck company
• We locate witnesses and find out what they saw
• We take pictures of your vehicle, the semi truck, the skid marks, debris, and other evidence at the accident scene
• We evaluate the current road conditions and weather conditions
• We obtain temporary restraining orders to prevent trucking companies from destroying evidence or concealing evidence, such as evidence from truck inspections or driver log books
• We recover gas station receipts, meal receipts, and other information to pinpoint times a driver was at specific locations to show speed
• We recover cell phone records, and other records to show driver negligence

It is important to recover this evidence before memories fade, witnesses become unavailable, evidence disappears, and road conditions change. Speak with a quality truck accident attorney immediately after a truck accident, to ensure you and your family's right and ability to recover compensation is preserved.

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Railroad Crossing Accidents

Railroad crossing accidents are not always caused by a reckless driver trying to "beat a train." In many cases, insufficient signage, inadequate markings, or poorly maintained warning lights and triggers play a role in railroad crossing accidents. Our attorneys work with accident investigators, safety experts, railroad inspectors, and other professionals when investigating and determining the cause of a railroad accident.

Experienced Railroad Crossing Accident Investigations

When eyewitnesses are an important part of determining what happened, we take depositions from them, as well as railroad train engineers and switchmen. We inspect the functioning of crossing arms, crossing lights, and conduct our own tests on track switches that are responsible for trigging crossing arms. We expose disrepair and general negligence on the part of railroad companies or municipalities that played a role in causing our client's injuries.

Train Accidents, Injuries, and Fatalities

• Brain injury
• Spinal cord injuries
• Paraplegia / quadriplegia
• Amputations
• Disfigurement
• Burns
• Neck and back injuries
• Wrongful death / fatalities

Assessing Liability on the part of Railroad

Even if a railroad is in compliance with state and federal safety regulations, failure on their part to remove certain kinds of dangers can create liability on their part. For example, failure to remove trees that obscure railroad crossing lights or install crossing arms at dangerous railroad crossings involves ignoring foreseeable risks and dangers. Here, a railroad company that fails to act to reduce the likelihood of railroad crossing accidents can be held liable for violating a duty of care towards others.

Additionally, locomotives must have a headlight and two ditch lights, a horn, and a bell that are used to warn drivers when approaching an intersection. Improperly working lights, bells, or failure to sound a train's whistle 4 times may constitute negligence as well.

In order to establish the forseeability of certain dangers, we inspect company records looking for accidents at specific crossings, while reviewing track and crossing maintenance records. When a pattern of accidents emerge, we argue our client's accident was foreseeable as a result of a failure of the railroad to act to make the crossing safe.

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Florida Personal Injury Law

Wrongful Death

Under Florida Law, when the death of a person is caused by the wrongful act, or negligence of any person, including those occurring on navigable waters, and the event would have entitled the person injured to maintain an action and recover damages if death had not ensued, the person that would have been liable for damages had death not ensued shall be liable for damages as specified in the Florida Wrongful Death Act. Wrongful Death occurs when a person dies due to the negligence of another.

The action for wrongful death must be brought by the decedent's personal representative, or as many people know it, the executor of the estate. The personal representative or executor brings the claim on behalf of all the decedent's survivors who are legally entitled to recover damages. Further, the estate itself has claims for medical and funeral expenses and lost net accumulations of the person who died. The survivors who can recover are defined in the Act and may include the decedent's spouse, children, parents, and any other blood relatives who are dependent upon the person who died for their support. The damages that may be recovered are specified in the act. We would be pleased to discuss any wrongful death claim you might have and advise you as to the applicability of the various provisions of the Florida Wrongful Death Act.

Definition of Wrongful Death

A wrongful death claim arises from the death of an individual that was caused by the conduct of another. This lawsuit is different from other types of personal Injury claims because the actual victim (the "decedent") is not bringing the lawsuit, rather it is the family members or the decedent's estate. As such, a wrongful death claim is brought to recover damages for the injuries that the surviving family and/or estate have suffered due to the death of the victim. The purpose of a wrongful death suit is to provide relief to family members who have been injured financially as a result of the family member's death.

The shock of losing a loved one can leave a family both emotionally and financially devastated. Knowing that your family member’s death could have been prevented if another person had been more cautious or responsible makes the situation even harder to deal with.

We are committed to helping families who have lost a loved one due to negligence on the part of another. We welcome you to discuss your matter with a one of our attorneys to learn more about your legal rights and options in this matter. Our firm is comprised of a family of attorneys, and we strive to treat each client like a member of our family. We fight tirelessly to represent our clients’ interests while providing personal attention every step of the way.

Protect Your Family – Work with a Wrongful Death Attorney

Your family may be facing an uncertain financial future because of the loss of a spouse, father, mother or other family member. To add to the emotional trauma you are experiencing, you may be facing funeral costs and overwhelming medical bills. To deal with this while coping with your loss can be too much. A lawyer can take legal action in an effort to help you recover the financial compensation you need to protect your family’s future.

The person whose actions led to your loss should be held responsible. They should be brought to justice not only for your family’s benefit but to also protect others from similar situations.

Florida Personal Injury Law

Welcome

At Hudgins Law Firm, we care about people. We have helped thousands of people who have been injured and/or have suffered loss due to the negligence of others.

We can assist you with the following types of personal injuries:

• Auto Accidents
• Boat Injuries
• Brain Injuries
• Catastrophic Injuries
• Drunk Driver Injuries
• Dog Bite Injuries
• Head Injuries
• Motorcycle Accidents
• School Bus Accidents
• Slip & Fall Injuries
• Spinal Cord Injuries
• Tractor Trailer Accidents
• Truck Accidents
• Wrongful Death

If you or a loved one has been involved in an accident resulting in personal injury you may find yourself overwhelmed by all that needs to be done.  Not only are you confronting medical paperwork, insurance claims, but the most serious part of the situation – the injury itself.  Some of these injuries are life-changing.  If you or a family member has suffered such an injury as a result of the negligence or reckless act of another individual, it is crucial that you contact a Florida personal injury attorney from the Metro Tampa area immediately.  At the offices of Hudgins Law Firm., our attorneys are dedicated to seeking out every legal remedy for your case.

Personal Injury Lawyer Serving Hillsborough and Pinellas Counties and the surrounding Metro Tampa area

Our attorneys are personally committed to serving each client by seeking the maximum recovery in compensation for your injury.  They uphold the high ethical standards of the Florida Bar, and as individuals, work to improve the community.   When there is personal injury as a result of the wrongful act of another, our attorneys aggressively work towards increasing the chances for the maximum compensation.  Seeking compensation and damages from a car accident, slip & fall injury, work injury or other injury requires not only a knowledge of the law, but strong negotiating skills.  Many cases can be settled prior to a trial, but should a trial be necessary the attorneys are seasoned trial lawyers and will fight for your case in the courtroom.

We fight for your legal right to seek compensation for your injury.  We are understanding and compassionate about your situation and the stress and pain that you are suffering.  When you call our law office, you will speak to an attorney.  You will not be pushed off onto another unknown associate or “case manager” as is often the situation in a large, impersonal firm.  If an attorney cannot immediately speak with you, you will be called back promptly.  More often than not, you will reach an attorney immediately, and it will be a Brannon.  At Hudgins Law Firm, we are committed to serving our clients with the respect and attention that they deserve.  

Trusted and respected, this strong team is committed to helping their clients achieve the best possible outcome in their particular situation.

Our personal injury attorneys are fully equipped to provide ethical, diligent counsel and legal representation to the injured and the loved ones of those who have been harmed by the careless and wrongful acts of others.

We develop the strongest cases possible on behalf of our clients and their families. Often, we are able to obtain fair and just settlements without ever having to step into a courtroom, but when justice requires us to do so, our highly-qualified attorneys are fully prepared to go to trial and present the case to a judge and jury. Our attorneys have significant experience representing clients in a variety of personal injury cases.

If you are in need of ethical, committed representation from experienced personal injury lawyers, Hudgins Law Firm would be pleased to hear from you.

Florida Personal Injury Law

Firm Overview

Since the firm was established, the attorneys at Hudgins Law Firm have been singularly dedicated to the representation of victims injured by the negligent conduct of others. Their reputation for integrity, garnered through years of consummate professionalism maintained even while upholding the clients' need for aggressive representation, is a hallmark of this firm's practices and principles.

Hudgins Law Firmhas the experience you need and is committed to getting you the compensation and justice you deserve - guaranteed!

Committed

In Florida, the personal injury lawyers of Hudgins Law Firm are known for what they do right, namely their unmatched attention to the client's needs. In the aftermath of an injury, when a victim's confusion is at its height, the Florida personal injury lawyers at this firm make the client's needs the top priority, treating him or her with the utmost compassion and understanding.

That commitment also extends to the cultivation of a meaningful attorney-client relationship, one fostered through effective two-way communication. Keeping a client informed, as well as being responsive to client feedback of their performance, is a responsibility that the attorneys at Hudgins Law Firm take great pride in fulfilling.

The lawyers at Hudgins Law Firm are seasoned professionals concentrated on committing their full resources to the cases they take on, thereby maximizing their chances of attaining the results clients justly deserve. They are proven problem solvers whose business is offering solutions to people in desperate need. Their experience and singular devotion is coupled with constant communication so you'll always know exactly where they stand.

The Florida personal injury law firm of Hudgins Law Firm is equipped with state-of-the-art technology to ensure that our cases are well-organized, our presentations are powerful and effective, and our messages impact opposing lawyers, insurance adjusters, judges, and ultimately, jurors. We also maintain ongoing relationships with nationally-known experts in fields such as medicine, law enforcement and engineering to ensure that our cases are well-founded and strongly supported.

The Florida personal injury attorneys at Hudgins Law Firm are committed to fight for your rights, and we will not stop working until you are properly compensated for your accident.

Our personal injury attorneys will make sure you understand every phase of your case. We answer all of your questions, and keep you advised about the status of your case. As a result of our experience, expertise, hard work,  excellent reputation, and dedication to our clients, you are guaranteed to receive the best legal representation and result for your personal injury accident case.

Further, we have a highly qualified legal support staff to ensure that you will receive the most individual attention possible, and receive the highest recovery on your Florida personal injury case.

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Resources

State Government Sites

• Florida State Constitution
• State of Florida
• Florida Department of Motor Vehicle Commission

Executive Branch

• Office of the Fl Governor

• Florida Attorney General

Legislative Branch

• Legislative Information
• Florida Administrative Law

Judicial Branch

• The Florida Judiciary

Florida Personal Injury Law

The Practice

We Take Personal Injury Law Personally - Very Personally.

We know that your injuries affect you very personally. You don't have to suffer alone. When you or someone you love suffer a serious injury, in a single moment you can lose your health, your work, your happiness, and even a spouse or child, leaving you to handle what are often huge medical bills, lost income, and the devastating emotional distress that often follows in the wake of such tragedies.

At Hudgins Law Firm, our experienced personal injury attorneys take your injuries just as personally as you do, and we devote ourselves to helping you recover fully from your loss. Of course, this means fighting for you to recover the maximum amount of money damages available under law. We represent individuals and families of individuals who have suffered bodily harm or loss of life as a result of the carelessness or negligent conduct of others. These types of cases fall under the broad legal categories of Personal Injury and Wrongful Death.

Personal Injury refers to situations in which the wrongful conduct causes temporary or permanent physical injury. In a personal injury suit, the injured party is seeking compensation for all of the losses they have experienced and will continue to experience as a result of that injury. These elements of damage may include medical expenses, loss of wages, pain and suffering, disability and disfigurement.

Wrongful Death refers to situations in which the wrongful conduct results in untimely death. In a wrongful death suit, a family member is seeking money damages for the death of a loved one. The damages recoverable include the loss of financial contributions made to the family by the deceased family member and the loss of love, companionship and affection each family member receives from the deceased family member's continued existence. We also have extensive experience in handling wrongful death cases, and our experienced Florida wrongful death attorneyscan help you recover financially from the death of a family member.

Within these categories, our practice focuses primarily on the following specialized areas:

• Auto Accidents
• Boat Injuries
• Brain Injuries
• Catastrophic Injuries
• Drunk Driver Injuries
• Dog Bite Injuries
• Head Injuries
• Motorcycle Accidents
• School Bus Accidents
• Slip & Fall Injuries
• Spinal Cord Injuries
• Tractor Trailer Accidents
• Truck Accidents
• Wrongful Death

Because of the circumstances under which personal injury and wrongful death claims arise, individual cases don't always fit neatly into one of these categories. An attorney from our firm will be able to identify what type of claim you have, and which course of action is the best one for you to take.

Florida Personal Injury Law

Directions to Our Office

Florida Personal Injury Law

Disclosure

The information on this Florida Personal Injury Law Attorneys website is for general information purposes only. Nothing on this or associated pages, documents, comments, answers, emails, or other communications should be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. This information on this website is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing of this information does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship.

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The information on this Florida Personal Injury Law Attorneys website is for general information purposes only. Nothing on this or associated pages, documents, comments, answers, emails, or other communications should be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. This information on this website is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing of this information does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship.