Tampa International Airport is a large airport located just outside of downtown Tampa, Florida. About 30 miles from the popular destination Clearwater Beach, and near countless other tourist attractions, like St. Petersburg. The airport is publicly owned by the Hillsborough County Aviation Authority.
Places Where Tampa Airport Accidents Can Occur
When most people think of accidents at an airport, their first thought is an aviation accident. While those do occur, there are plenty of other places in an airport where accidents can occur. Some of these places include:
- Baggage claim
- Ongoing construction projects
- Restrooms
- Food courts (which includes incidents of food poisoning as well as slippery surfaces due to spilled liquids or other debris)
- Tarmac accidents (including accidents that occur while using airport shuttles and buses)
- Stairs and ramps for boarding and disembarking planes
- People movers and escalators
- Falling overhead baggage and other storage items
Auto Accidents
Auto accidents are a common occurrence in airports. Car accidents and car accident injuries usually occur in parking lots and parking garages. If you or a family member are involved in a car accident or are car accident victims, the first thing to do is make sure everyone is ok and then call for assistance.
While waiting for help to arrive, exchange insurance information and locate any potential witnesses. Next assess vehicles for property damage, if the car wreck included a rear end you want to ensure that you are fully documenting the entire scope of damage.
Slip And Falls
Slip and fall accidents are common causes of accidents in airports. Travelers are often in a rush to get from one point to another which can often lead to overlooking hazards in their walk path. Slip and fall accidents can occur almost anywhere in the airport but the most common places these accidents occur are in restrooms and food courts.
There are several factors that can contribute to conditions that cause slips and falls. These conditions include inadequate lighting, uneven pavement, cluttered walkways, cords and cables that are not properly secured and attached to the floor, as well as wet floors and surfaces.
If you or a loved one have a slip and fall accident at an airport, it is important to locate witnesses as well as take pictures to document and identify the conditions that led to the accident.
Escalator And Elevator Accidents
Escalators and elevators are another common source for accidents that result in both personal injury and negligence claims. Escalators can cause injury due to broken emergency shut off buttons, overcrowding, design flaws, as well as electrical or mechanical malfunctions. Accidents on escalators can also occur due to faulty handrails, clothes, hair or fingers getting stuck or entangled.
Elevators can be quite dangerous. In 2012, one man died while trying to enter an elevator at Tampa International Airport. The accident occurred after a man attempted to enter an elevator by prying open the doors which had a faulty lock and tried to enter the elevator. Unbeknownst to the man, the elevator was stuck on a lower floor and instead of entering an elevator, he fell into an empty elevator shaft and landed on top of the elevator.
If you’re a regular tourist to Miami, Sarasota or the Tampa Bay area, or your travel for work, you may have encountered the escalators at Tampa International Airport. With so many people coming and going, it’s easy to see how personal injury accidents might occur. You need an attorney who specializes in personal injury law as a primary practice area.
Types Of Airport Injuries That Can Occur
After experiencing an accident at an airport, there are several types of injury that can occur. Mild to serious injuries can include, but are not limited to:
- Head and brain injury
- Back and spinal cord injuries
- Broken arms and legs
- Sprained wrists, ankles, etc.
- Lacerations and soft tissue damage
If you are injured in an accident at an airport, reach out to a personal injury attorney to evaluate your case.
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What To Do If You’re In An Accident At The Tampa Airport
After an accident, there are several important things that need to happen. First, notify airport security/ police and file a police report. Next, be sure to locate and identify any witnesses to the accident.
It is also imperative to seek medical attention. A medical examination is important, especially after a slip and fall accident because it is not uncommon for bodies to contort in awkward angles in an attempt to brace or break a fall. Even if you think you feel fine and are uninjured after an accident, adrenaline may very well be a factor and as such it is important to get examined in the event that issues begin to arise.
Getting examined is also important because if you are injured, it will be harder to prove that the accident in question is the source of the personal injury as opposed to any subsequent activity you engaged in after the fact. Also, establishing a medical record is an important step in assisting your legal team with establishing damages and calculating medical expenses.
Filing A Personal Injury Claim For An Airport Accident
There are several important factors to consider when filing a claim for wrongful death, negligence, or personal injury.
In order to bring a successful suit, it is important to know the appropriate party (or parties) to sue. Determining the appropriate party largely depends on where in the airport you were injured as well as the nature of the injury. For example, accidents that occur in the parking lot, tarmac, inside a retail store, on an escalator, or in a food court will all have different parties that are potentially liable.
In Florida, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims is four years. This means that if you are in an accident, you have four years from the time you are injured to bring your claim. If you do not bring a claim within four years you are prohibited from doing so and will never be able to recover damages from the party (or parties) responsible for your injury.
There are several types of damages you can seek in a lawsuit such as medical bills (which includes the cost of medical care and medical treatment) and pain and suffering.
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Contact Florin|Roebig About Your Tampa Airport Accident Today
If you or a loved one were in an accident at Tampa International Airport, the team of attorneys at the law firm of Florin|Roebig are ready to provide you with high quality representation regarding your personal injury claim. With several years of experience, get help from the best Tampa auto accident attorneys around. Call now for a free consultation today.
