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- Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Florida
- Frequent Truck Accident Injuries in Large Commercial Collisions
- Florida Landmarks Context
- Identifying Liable Parties in Your Truck Accident Case
- How Florida Truck Accident Attorneys Can Help
- Pursuing Maximum Compensation Under Florida Law
- Statute of Limitations and Next Steps
- Florida Truck Accident Frequently Asked Questions
- Resources for Florida Truck Accident Victims
- Contact Our Law Firm for a Free Consultation
Florida’s highways never sleep. I-95 pulses through Miami’s vibrant streets, I-75 hauls freight past Tampa’s bustling ports, and the Turnpike funnels families toward Orlando’s world-famous theme parks. But every mile carries hidden danger when a big truck shares the road with passenger vehicles.
One lapse in safety regulations—driver fatigue, distracted driving, or skipped maintenance—can turn a routine commute into a devastating collision. If you or a loved one has been injured, you need a Florida trucking accident lawyer who understands the stakes.
At Kaiser Romanello Accidents & Injury Lawyers, our Florida truck accident attorneys stand between victims and the trucking companies trying to bury the truth. From rear-end collisions on I-4 to jackknife wrecks on U.S. 41, we use accident reconstruction, black-box data, and insurance policy analysis to demand justice.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Florida
Commercial truck accidents are rarely random; they usually stem from preventable choices.
Driver Fatigue: This is a silent killer. Truck drivers often push past FMCSA hours-of-service limits to meet tight deadlines. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) links fatigue to approximately 13% of large truck crashes in the U.S.
Distracted Driving: Texting, eating, or adjusting GPS systems steals focus. At 65 mph, one second of driver error covers a football field blind. Rear-end collisions surge when truck drivers tailgate in Miami or Orlando traffic.
Mechanical Failure: Some trucking companies falsify maintenance records to keep trucks moving. Bald tires, bad brakes, or cracked axles are violations of federal regulations.
Improper Loading: Overloaded tractor-trailers are prone to rollovers on Florida’s curves.
Frequent Truck Accident Injuries in Large Commercial Collisions
An 80,000-pound semi-truck doesn’t just tap a sedan—it obliterates it. Survivors of these crashes often face life-altering injuries that require extensive medical costs and long-term care.
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs): Common even in “low-speed” collisions.
Spinal Cord Injuries: Can result in partial or total paralysis.
Crush Injuries & Amputations: Occur when limbs are trapped in twisted metal.
Internal Bleeding: Organs ruptured by blunt force trauma.
One accident with a fatigued trucker can result in over $1 million in lifetime economic damages. Emergency care, surgeries, rehab, and ongoing treatment add up fast. Our Florida trucking accident attorneys partner with medical experts to document every injury, ensuring insurance policies cover past, present, and future needs.
Florida Landmarks Context
Florida is a logistics powerhouse, and truck drivers swarm high-risk zones across the state.
Port of Tampa: The third-busiest port in Florida sees constant container flow.
Port Miami: Known as the “Cargo Gateway of the Americas.”
I-4 Corridor: A high-traffic route from Orlando to Daytona filled with tourists and heavy freight.
Alligator Alley (I-75): The primary cross-state freight route through the Everglades.
Local Crash Statistics: The danger is real. In 2023 alone, Florida recorded 341 fatalities involving large trucks, ranking it third in the nation for such deaths.
Miami-Dade County: Saw over 64,000 total crashes in 2023, many involving commercial vehicles in dense urban corridors.
Broward County: Experienced over 40,000 crashes, with I-95 and I-595 being frequent hotspots for heavy truck collisions.
Orange County: Recorded over 26,000 crashes, heavily influenced by the mix of tourism traffic and commercial delivery trucks.
Identifying Liable Parties in Your Truck Accident Case
Blame rarely stops at the truck driver. We hunt every at-fault party and liable parties:
The Truck Driver
Common Negligence: Fatigue (falling asleep at the wheel), speeding, distracted driving, or driving under the influence.
Insurance Angle: Pursuing the driver’s primary liability coverage.
The Trucking Company
Common Negligence: Hiring unqualified drivers, failing to run background checks, or forcing drivers to violate hours-of-service rules to meet deadlines.
Insurance Angle: Tapping into higher commercial policy limits (often millions of dollars).
The Cargo Loader
Common Negligence: Improper weight distribution or failing to secure freight, leading to jackknifes or rollovers.
Insurance Angle: Opening third-party liability claims against separate logistics companies.
The Maintenance Shop
Common Negligence: Falsifying safety inspection records, ignoring bald tires, or failing to repair faulty brakes.
Insurance Angle: Pursuing general liability insurance from the repair facility.
The Parts Manufacturer
Common Negligence: Producing defective brakes, tires, steering columns, or coupling devices that fail on the road.
Insurance Angle: Filing product liability claims against the manufacturer.
How Florida Truck Accident Attorneys Can Help
You’re buried in medical costs while insurance companies try to blame you. Our Miami truck accident lawyers and statewide team level the playing field.
Why Choose Kaiser Romanello for Your Truck Accident Case?
Proven Results: We have recovered millions for clients in commercial vehicle claims.
Trial Ready: Unlike some firms that only settle, we are prepared to take your case to court if the offer is too low.
Immediate Action: We dispatch investigators to the scene to preserve skid mark evidence and debris fields before they disappear.
No Fees Unless We Win: You pay $0 upfront. We only get paid if we secure compensation for you.
Pursuing Maximum Compensation Under Florida Law
Florida law allows for full recovery in truck accident claims, but you must know what to ask for.
Economic Damages: Reimbursement for all medical costs, lost wages, property damage, and reduced earning capacity.
Non-Economic Damages: Compensation for pain and suffering, mental anguish, and loss of enjoyment of life.
Punitive Damages: In rare cases where a trucking company showed reckless disregard (e.g., knowingly hiring a drunk driver), we may pursue punitive damages to punish the wrongdoer.
Florida uses a system of comparative negligence. Even if you were partially at fault, you may still recover damages proportional to the other party’s fault. Our goal is to minimize your liability percentage using evidence like accident reports and black box data.
Statute of Limitations and Next Steps
According to Florida Statute § 95.11(3)(a), you generally have two years from the date of the crash to file a lawsuit for negligence. If the accident resulted in a fatality, the timeframe for a wrongful death claim is also two years.
What To Do After a Florida Truck Accident:
Call 911 Immediately: ensure an official accident report is filed.
Seek Medical Attention: Go to the ER or urgent care even if you feel “fine.” Adrenaline can mask injuries.
Document the Scene: Take photos/video of the vehicles, skid marks, and road conditions.
Exchange Info: Get the truck driver’s license, insurance, and the trucking company’s DOT number.
Do Not Sign Anything: Insurance adjusters may try to offer a quick, low settlement. Talk to an Orlando truck accident lawyer first.
Florida Truck Accident Frequently Asked Questions
What are the leading causes of semi-truck accidents in Florida?
Driver fatigue (breaking FMCSA hours-of-service rules), distracted driving, and neglected maintenance are top causes. Speeding and overloading also frequently trigger rear-end and rollover accidents.
Why hire a Florida injury law lawyer instead of handling it myself?
Trucking companies deploy “rapid response” legal teams instantly to protect their interests. You need representation versed in FMCSA federal regulations and complex commercial insurance policies to avoid lowball traps.
Can I recover damages if I’m partially at fault in Florida?
Yes. Under Florida’s modified comparative negligence laws, you can recover damages as long as you are not more than 50% at fault. However, your award will be reduced by your percentage of fault.
What if my loved one died in a Florida semi-truck accident?
You may be able to file a wrongful death claim to recover funeral costs, lost support, and compensation for the family’s pain and suffering. We guide families gently through this process while pursuing the trucking company aggressively.
How do FMCSA hours-of-service rules affect my Florida claim?
These rules cap driving at 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off-duty. Violations are powerful evidence of negligence and driver fatigue against trucking companies.
Do you handle only large truck accidents in Florida?
No. We handle accidents involving all commercial vehicles, including delivery vans, box trucks, cement mixers, and dump trucks. If safety regulations were broken, we take the case.
Resources for Florida Truck Accident Victims
Resources for Florida Truck Accident Victims
FMCSA Safety Regulations – Official hours of service rules.
FLHSMV Crash Portal – Request your police accident reports.
Florida Trucking Association – Trucking industry standards.
Disclaimer
This page offers general information, not legal advice. Results vary. Contact licensed personal injury attorneys for your specific injury case.
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Lorne A. Kaiser Partner & Co-Founder | Kaiser Romanello Accident and Injury Attorneys
A veteran Florida trial lawyer and co-founder of Kaiser Romanello. With two decades of experience fighting insurance companies, Lorne is dedicated to securing maximum compensation for accident victims across the state.