There are many major trucking corridors in Florida, and drivers statewide encounter large commercial trucks on the road every day. While these accidents are not as common as passenger car accidents, they are often far more damaging. What are Florida’s truck accident laws? Generally, resolving the legal aftermath of these accidents is similar to what you would expect after most other accidents, but there are key differences you should understand.
What Are Florida’s Truck Accident Laws?
Every year, vehicle accidents are a leading cause of personal injuries and accidental deaths in Florida and throughout the US. Every state has different rules for resolving vehicle accident cases, and in Florida, there is a no-fault rule that requires every driver to use their own insurance after an accident, regardless of fault. However, there are exceptions to this, and if a truck accident victim suffered a severe injury, they need to know how to build a personal injury case.
According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), there were 381,423 total accidents recorded statewide in 2024. Truck accidents only accounted for a fraction of these accidents, but the risk of catastrophic or fatal injury is greater in these accidents due to the size and weight of most commercial trucks compared to most passenger vehicles.
In 2024, the National Safety Council reported that Florida had the third-highest number of truck accident deaths in the US, with 353 deaths. If you or a loved one is injured in a commercial truck accident, or if a loved one has died in this type of accident, you need to know how to prove liability, what damages you are eligible to claim, and the most efficient way for you to recover compensation.
Florida’s no-fault insurance rule requires an injured driver to use their own insurance policy to cover their damages after an accident, regardless of fault. You should hire a truck accident lawyer to help you file your auto insurance claim, and they can resolve any unexpected issues you encounter with the insurance company. Additionally, your attorney can determine whether you are eligible to file a personal injury claim against whoever caused the accident.
Many truck accidents happen for the same reasons as other accidents. Speeding, moving violations, and distracted driving are commonly reported causes. However, these accidents may also happen when truck drivers and/or their employers do not follow trucking industry regulations. The trucking industry is heavily regulated in many ways, and regulatory noncompliance can easily result in devastating accidents.
For example, truck drivers must follow hours-of-service rules to ensure they get adequate rest between driving shifts. These rules aim to prevent fatigued driving accidents. If a truck driver refuses to follow these rules to complete deliveries faster, or if their employer does not enforce these rules, this can lead to a serious accident, and both the driver and their employer could face liability for the resulting damages.
Ultimately, the legal aftermath of a truck accident is likely to reflect what you might expect after most other vehicle accidents in Florida, with a few key exceptions, and you may be eligible to file a personal injury case against whoever is responsible for causing the accident if you suffered a severe injury. Reach out to an experienced Florida truck accident attorney as soon as possible after your accident, and they can explain your legal options for recovering compensation.
FAQs
How Do You Prove Liability for a Truck Accident in Florida?
In Florida, proving liability for a truck accident may require gathering several types of physical and digital evidence that you will not know how to obtain on your own. You may need police reports, witness statements, the truck’s black-box data, drivers’ cell phone records, and the trucking company’s records to determine the exact cause of the accident. Your Florida truck accident attorney will know how to obtain and preserve the evidence needed for your case.
How Much Compensation Can I Claim for a Truck Accident in Florida?
In Florida, the amount of compensation you can claim for a truck accident largely depends on the severity of your injuries. You may be able to recover some compensation with a no-fault auto insurance claim, but you may be eligible to pursue compensation from the party responsible for causing the accident if you suffered a severe injury. Hire a truck accident lawyer as soon as possible after the accident so they can accurately estimate your total damages.
Is a Trucking Company Liable for its Driver’s Accident?
A trucking company could be held vicariously liable for its driver’s accident under certain conditions. Vicarious liability is most likely to come into play when an employer’s negligence contributes to their employee causing an accident. For example, if a trucking company did not enforce hours-of-service regulations and its driver caused an accident after falling asleep at the wheel, vicarious liability is likely to come into play in this case.
How Long Does It Take to Settle a Truck Accident Case?
The time it takes to settle a truck accident case depends on several factors. If you hire a truck accident lawyer at your first opportunity after the accident, they will have more time to gather the evidence needed to build a strong case. Many accident claims in Florida are resolved through settlement negotiations, which are usually faster than litigation. However, litigation may be unavoidable in highly contested cases.
Why Should I Hire a Truck Accident Lawyer?
You should hire a truck accident lawyer to have a better chance of reaching a favorable result in your case. You will need help proving liability for the accident, accurately assessing your total claimable damages, and navigating your case proceedings efficiently. If you hire an experienced Florida truck accident attorney to represent you, they can handle building and filing your case so you can focus on your recovery and your family with peace of mind.
Ronald Bone, P.A., has more than 30 years of experience representing accident victims throughout Florida, and our team knows the unique legal challenges that truck accident cases often present to injured victims. If you are wondering about Florida’s truck accident laws and how you can recover from your recent accident, contact us today to schedule a free consultation with an experienced Florida truck accident attorney.
