Florida Truck Accident Laws and Regulations

Did you recently get hurt in a Florida truck accident? You might be considering whether you have grounds to file a truck accident injury claim. Florida personal injury laws allow accident victims to seek compensation when they suffer injuries due to negligence. An experienced truck accident attorney from Paul Knopf Bigger can review the details of your case and explain your legal options in a free consultation. Contact us today to get started. 

The Impact of Truck Accidents

Commercial truck accidents take a heavy toll on victims, often leading to severe injuries and sometimes death. In Florida, recent statistics show that truck accidents were responsible for a staggering 373 traffic deaths in one recent year — the third-highest total of any state in the U.S.

Truck accidents often result in much more damage than typical car crashes due to the massive size and weight of trucks. Victims can suffer serious injuries, such as broken bones, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord damage, and other life-threatening trauma. These bodily injuries not only cause immense pain but also demand long periods of recovery and rehabilitation. The emotional aftermath can also be profound. Survivors often struggle with trauma, anxiety, and depression long after physical wounds have healed.

Financially, the impact of a trucking accident can be just as devastating. Medical bills can quickly accumulate and become overwhelming, especially if crash injuries prevent victims from working. This loss of income, coupled with ongoing medical expenses, puts immense pressure on victims and their families. For many, the road to recovery is not just about physical healing but also overcoming these financial challenges to regain stability. 

Florida Truck Accident Laws

In Florida, several important laws affect truck accident claims. First, Florida operates under a no-fault insurance system. After a truck crash, your auto insurance should cover your medical expenses and lost wages up to a certain limit, regardless of who caused the crash. However, victims with serious injuries — which are common in truck accidents — can step outside this no-fault system and pursue a claim directly against the at-fault party(s).

Florida law defines a serious injury as one that causes: 

• Serious or permanent impairment of an important bodily function
• Permanent injury within a reasonable degree of probability
• Significant scarring and disfigurement
• Death

Another key statute is Florida’s comparative fault rule, which applies when more than one party is to blame for a truck accident. In these situations, the insurance company, judge, or jury assigns a percentage of fault to each party for their role in causing the crash. Any compensation awarded is reduced by the person’s portion of fault.

Let’s say you were driving beside a tractor-trailer that changed lanes without signaling. The truck broadsided you and sent your car into a guardrail. You suffered a concussion, whiplash, and broken ribs. However, you were also speeding when the crash happened. The court found the truck driver 80 percent at fault for the collision and assigned you 20 percent of the blame. In that situation, your total amount of compensation would decrease by 20 percent.

Note that the comparative fault law has a cutoff point. If you are more than 50 percent at fault for a truck accident in Florida, you lose your right to compensation entirely.

Finally, Florida has strict time limits for filing a truck accident lawsuit. You have two years from the date of a semi-truck accident to file a personal injury lawsuit in your case. Missing this deadline could mean losing your right to sue. This is why it’s so important to consult a knowledgeable truck accident attorney in Florida as soon as possible after a crash.

Regulations Governing Large Trucks in Florida

Florida imposes numerous trucking laws to improve the safety of trucking operations in the state. These regulations address various aspects of trucking, from vehicle specifications to driver conduct. Here’s a brief overview of Florida’s trucking laws and federal trucking regulations: 

• Size and weight limits – Trucks must adhere to designated height, length, width, and weight restrictions to prevent road damage and enhance safety.
• Hours of service – Federal hours-of-service laws impose mandatory rest periods and restrict the number of hours a truck driver can operate in a given period to combat driver fatigue.
• Alcohol restrictions – Truck drivers face stricter blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limits compared to most drivers. In Florida, it is unlawful for commercial drivers to operate with a BAC over 0.04.
• Driver qualifications – Drivers must possess a commercial driver’s license (CDL) and pass regular health examinations to confirm their fitness for the demanding job of truck driving.
• Vehicle maintenance requirements – Regular inspections and maintenance of critical truck components, such as brakes, tires, and lights, are mandatory under federal regulations.

Legal Assistance for Truck Accident Victims

If you’re dealing with a truck accident claim in Florida, having an experienced personal injury lawyer by your side can significantly increase your chances of a favorable outcome. Your attorney will provide truck accident legal help by: 

• Thoroughly investigating the truck accident scene
• Gathering and analyzing evidence, such as truck maintenance records and driver logs
• Consulting medical professionals to understand the full extent of your injuries
• Coordinating with accident reconstruction experts to strengthen your case
• Managing all communications with the insurance company and their defense lawyers
• Calculating your losses, including medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more
• Identifying all potential sources of compensation
• Filing all legal paperwork within relevant deadlines
• Interpreting complex trucking and insurance laws pertinent to your case
• Negotiating with insurance companies for maximum compensation
• Identifying and challenging lowball settlement offers
• Representing you at trial, if necessary

Compensation After a Truck Accident in Florida

If you suffer injuries in a Florida truck accident, there are several types of compensation you can pursue to cover your losses and support your recovery. Fair compensation can include money for: 

• Past, current, and future medical bills
• Lost wages
• Reduced future earnings due to disability
• Out-of-pocket expenses related to the accident
• Reimbursement for travel to medical appointments
• Pain and suffering
• Diminished quality of life
• Lost enjoyment of life
• Legal fees
• Repair or replacement costs for your vehicle

The Paul Knopf Bigger Difference

With so many personal injury law firms to choose from in Florida, why select Paul Knopf Bigger? Our team combines the power of big firm resources with the personalized, quick, and responsive service you deserve. We’re passionate about helping people and fighting against injustice.

Our mission drives us to achieve life-changing results for our clients. Our experienced truck accident attorneys have secured hundreds of millions of dollars in compensation for those we represent, and we bring the same level of experience and dedication to each case. We’re available for free consultations 24 hours a day, seven days a week, so don’t hesitate to contact us when you’re ready. We’re here to listen to your story and handle your claim with the attentiveness and support you need.

Talk to a Florida Truck Accident Lawyer Now

Ready to take the first step toward compensation after a commercial truck accident? Contact our truck accident lawyers in Florida for a free initial consultation. Let’s start working together to make things right.