Prominent Tampa Bay Businessman Killed In Apollo Beach
Lance C. Ringhaver, a prominent Tampa Bay businessman and minority owner of the Tampa Bay Rays, recently passed away in a car crash in Apollo Beach. The Florida Highway Patrol reports the victim struck a semi-truck blocking U.S. 41 while trying to make a left turn onto Towaway Avenue.
The 38-year-old truck driver was ticketed for failure to yield the right of way to traffic, according to media reports. Ringhaver was the lone occupant of his 2015 Infiniti Q70S when he struck the tractor trailer heading southbound on U.S. 41. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Mr. Ringhaver’s family. As a law firm that regularly represents the legal interests of auto and truck accident victims, The Pendas Law Firm knows all too well the toll these types of senseless accidents can have on surviving family members.
Orlando trucking accident lawsuits
While there is no word yet on whether legal action may be taken against the semi-truck driver and his employer, the deceased’s family may be able to hold these parties accountable since authorities issued the truck driver a ticket, finding him accountable for the accident.
Trucking companies, like all employers, owe a legal duty to ensure they take reasonable safety measures to ensure their employees do not place others in harm’s way. Because of the size, weight, and speed at which these semi-trucks operate, there can be little room for error in their operation.
Some actions trucking companies should be expected to take to ensure public safety include:
- Ensuring drivers are properly trained;
- Ensuring prospective drivers have clean driving records;
- Supervising drivers to ensure they do not operate their rigs on drugs or alcohol; and
- Overseeing driving logs to comply with federal and state laws concerning the amount of hours drivers may work within a given time frame.
When Tampa Bay truck accidents occur it may be because employers failed to take these and other elementary steps to prevent tragic 18-wheeler accidents. Other factors that may cause truck accidents include:
- Failure to maintain vehicles including conducting safety checks and making repairs;
- Defectively manufactured parts; and
- Overloading trailers in violation of federal and state laws.
Third parties contracted to perform this type of work may also be held liable in trucking accidents. Victims and their families should strongly consider hiring an experienced Tampa Bay truck accident lawyer to investigate all aspects of the accident and determine who all of the liable parties are to help secure the maximum amount of compensation owed to plaintiffs.
Orlando truck accident lawyers
Truck accident victims may be entitled to compensation for their medical bills, hospital expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages. Often times, the trucking company and their insurance provided may be held liable to pay compensation for these damages with the help of a dedicated Orlando truck accident lawyer.
If you or a loved one was hurt in an accident involving a semi-truck or other commercial vehicle, contact The Pendas Law Firm for a free consultation about your case. Our lawyers serve clients in Orlando, Tampa, Ft. Myers, Jacksonville, West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale and Miami.
