Tampa Wrongful Death Car Accident near Airport

A tragic Tampa wrongful death car accident caused by a wrong-way driver occurred near Tampa international airport Sunday morning, January 26, 2020, leaving two people dead. The Tampa airport accident happened on the northbound airport entrance from State Road 60 around 3 in the morning, closing State Road 60 for a few hours. According to the Tampa Police Department, the wrong-way driver will be charged with DUI manslaughter in the wake of this personal injury wrongful death accident. The Frank Santini Law Firm’s thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families.

Astoundingly, wrong-way driving is a big cause of car accidents in Florida and can have serious personal injury and wrongful death consequences. Fortunately, citizens of Riverview and Brandon who use the Howard Frankland bridge can rest assured that something is being done. The Florida Department of Transportation has installed technology on the Howard Frankland Bridge that is intended to detect wrong-way drivers. This car accident prevention technology uses retrofitted cameras and video analysis to spot wrong-way drivers from the St. Petersburg or Tampa sides and sends alerts to Florida’s Traffic Management Center. This alert, in turn, can trigger dispatch of Florida Highway Patrol officers.

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has researched wrong way car wrecks occurring on interstates in Florida and discovered that from 2009 through 2013, 280 wrong-way car and truck accidents caused more than 400 personal injuries and 75 wrongful deaths.

What Can I do to Avoid a Wrong-Way Driver in Tampa Bay?

• More wrong-way personal injury car accidents in Tampa happen at night, so limiting driving at night can help, though is obviously difficult to do depending on your personal and professional obligations.
• Rely on Uber or Lyft. While Uber car accidents in Riverview and elsewhere do happen, you are much safer in an Uber or Lyft after you’ve been drinking.
• Distracted driving accidents in Riverview are the most common calls we receive at our office. If you want to avoid making a serious mistake on the highway or being the victim of another driver’s negligence, avoid distracting text messaging and use of any text applications on your phone while driving.

At the risk of sounding like an old fogey, it seems like everyone behind the wheel is in a hurry these days. Our Riverview car accident lawyers help innocent folks who have been the victim of another driver’s negligence. Our Tampa wrongful death lawyers offer free consultations for innocent victims in Tampa Bay, Wesley Chapel, Apollo Beach, Parrish, Gibsonton, Riverview, Brandon and throughout Florida. If you or your loved one has been the victim of a wrong-way accident, you may be entitled to financial compensation. Call us today for a free consultation at (813) 445-6121. If you are unable to make it to our office, one of our Brandon accident lawyers can visit you in your home or hospital room.