When a truck accident happens, the damage and legal challenges are often much greater than in a car accident. Large commercial vehicles, such as semi-trucks and delivery trucks, can cause significant damage due to their size and weight. Understanding how Florida truck accident claims differ from car accidents helps victims know what to expect after a serious crash.
Fiol and Morros Law Group helps truck accident victims across Florida pursue fair and full compensation. Our team knows the key differences between truck and car accidents, including the laws, insurance coverage, and types of evidence required.
We handle each truck accident claim with care and determination, helping injured people recover the compensation they deserve.
Truck accidents differ from car accidents because they involve both state and federal laws. Commercial trucking is highly regulated, and understanding these rules is critical for building a strong case.
Truck drivers and trucking companies must follow rules from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT). These rules cover hours of service, vehicle maintenance, cargo loading, and alcohol testing to prevent driver fatigue and unsafe driving. When a truck accident occurs, violations of these federal regulations can serve as critical evidence of negligence.
Unlike most car accidents, truck accident cases often involve multiple liable parties. These can include the truck driver, the trucking company, cargo loaders, or even vehicle maintenance contractors. Identifying all responsible parties ensures victims can seek compensation from all sources and maximize their recovery for their losses.
Insurance policies for commercial trucks are much more complex than those for passenger vehicles. These cases often involve several insurance companies, higher coverage limits, and more aggressive defenses.
Under federal limits (49 CFR § 387.9), commercial carriers must carry between $750,000 and $5 million in liability coverage, depending on what they haul. This ensures that truck accident victims can recover fair compensation for catastrophic injuries and extensive property damage caused by commercial trucking operations.
In a typical car accident, Florida’s No-Fault Law (§ 627.736) only provides $10,000 in PIP coverage for medical bills and lost wages. These car accident claims are smaller in scope, while truck accident claims often involve multiple insurers and complex liability issues that require a skilled accident lawyer to manage.
Because truck accident claims involve large sums of money, insurance companies use aggressive defenses to protect their profits. They may try to minimize payouts or blame drivers involved to avoid liability. Having an experienced lawyer ensures your rights are protected throughout negotiations.
The injuries in truck accidents are almost always worse than those in car accidents. The force of impact from a commercial truck can cause devastating, long-term harm.
A truck crash can lead to traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, amputations, and even wrongful death. Because these are more severe injuries, victims often face lifelong medical treatment, high costs, and emotional pain. These cases go far beyond a typical car accident and require detailed legal support.
While car and truck accidents can both cause harm, injuries from passenger cars are often less severe. However, even minor car accidents can still lead to personal injury claims if someone else’s negligence caused your injuries.
Truck accident cases demand thorough evidence collection to prove fault and liability. Unlike car accidents, many of these records are controlled by the trucking company, so quick action is essential to preserve evidence.
These devices record driving hours and help determine whether driver fatigue contributed to the crash. They are key to proving hours-of-service violations. Accessing ELD data quickly after a crash can make a big difference in showing that a truck driver ignored rest limits or safety rules.
Regular vehicle maintenance is required under federal regulations. These records show whether a mechanical failure or improperly secured load contributed to the truck accident. When reviewed by experts, they can reveal negligent acts by the trucking company or its maintenance staff that directly caused the collision.
The black box data from a commercial truck records speed, braking, and steering. This critical evidence helps reconstruct what happened during the crash and proves driver error or equipment failure. Combined with GPS tracking, this information paints a clear picture of the truck’s movements before and during the impact.
Establishing liability in truck accident cases requires a deep understanding of federal regulations and legal principles.
If a truck driver violates hours-of-service or safety rules, it can constitute negligence. Violations often link directly to driver fatigue or reckless conduct. When these violations are documented, they serve as strong evidence that the trucking company failed to ensure proper supervision and compliance with safety standards.
Trucking companies can be held responsible for the negligent acts of their employees. This includes poor vehicle maintenance, hiring unqualified truck drivers, or failing to monitor compliance with federal laws. Holding the company accountable ensures that unsafe corporate practices are exposed and victims receive the justice they deserve.
Determining if a driver is an employee or contractor affects liability. Many trucking companies try to shift blame, but an experienced lawyer can identify the true responsible parties. Establishing this distinction helps ensure that every liable party contributes fairly to the victim’s compensation.
Truck accident claims often rely on expert testimony to explain what caused the crash and how it affected the victim’s life.
These experts analyze police reports, black box data, and accident scenes to reconstruct what happened. Their findings are essential in proving fault.
They assess medical expenses, lost wages, and long-term treatment costs. This helps ensure victims recover damages that reflect the true impact of their injuries.
These professionals explain how federal regulations apply to the truck accident case and show where the trucking company or driver failed to follow safety standards.
Both truck and car accident victims must follow Florida’s strict legal timelines and rules.
Under Florida Statutes § 768.81, victims can still recover compensation if they share some blame. Their fault percentage reduces their award, but they can still pursue fair compensation for their losses.
Under Florida Statutes § 95.11, you generally have two years to file a claim. Acting quickly helps preserve critical evidence and protects your rights.
Under Florida Statutes § 627.736, all drivers must carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP). Victims with severe injuries can go beyond this system and sue the at-fault party for full compensation.
Truck cases involve multiple liable parties, higher insurance coverage, and federal regulations, making them harder to resolve.
The truck driver, trucking company, cargo loaders, or even maintenance providers may share liability.
The time needed to reach a fair settlement depends on the case’s complexity, the extent of injuries, and how quickly insurance companies respond. Acting early and providing strong evidence helps injured victims secure a faster, more favorable result.
Yes. Commercial trucks hauling hazardous materials or general freight must comply with strict federal safety and inspection regulations. Violations of these rules can make the trucking company and other parties directly liable for the accident.
Taking prompt legal action helps preserve driver logbooks, black box data, and other time-sensitive records from motor vehicles involved. These details are crucial for proving negligence and ensuring victims can pursue maximum compensation for their injuries and losses.
If you were hurt in a truck accident, you do not have to face the process alone. Fiol and Morros Law Group offers strong legal representation to help you understand your rights and build a solid case. Our team listens carefully, answers your questions, and helps you make the best decisions for your future.
We have a proven track record of helping truck accident victims and their families recover the money they need to cover medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Every case is handled with care and respect because your recovery matters to us.
Contact us today for a free consultation. Let our team stand by your side and fight for the fair and full compensation you deserve.
