Miami Truck Accident Attorneys

Helping Victims of Semi Truck & 18 Wheeler Accidents in Florida & Nationwide

When involved in a crash with a tractor-trailer, the outcome is often catastrophic injury or wrongful death. Although similar to car accidents, the truth is that wrecks involving big rigs are significantly more dangerous. All too often, these accidents are caused by truck drivers and trucking companies that fail to adhere to a variety of regulations designed to promote and ensure the safe operation of their big rigs. Some common sense regulations pertain to the drivers of these trucks and include risks such as the amount of time on the road, number of breaks, and weight of their load.

Truck drivers work long hours and are often pressured by their employer to complete their tasks by any means necessary. That results in shortcuts that amount to devastating accidents. When a trucking company or its drivers violate these regulations or disobey the laws of the road, they should be held accountable.

Since 1984, we have investigated and successfully pursued numerous truck accidents in Miami, throughout Florida, and across the nation. Our Miami truck accident law firmhas the experience, knowledge, and network of trucking industry experts to ensure that any shortcuts are uncovered and that those responsible are held accountable. We are not afraid to take on the major trucking companies and insurance companies and fight for our clients. Our Miami personal injury law firm has recovered hundreds of millions on behalf of our clients in the U.S., France, Peru, the Bahamas, and worldwide.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a catastrophic road accident with a commercial vehicle in Miami, please call (305) 770-6335 for a free case evaluation!

Types of Miami Truck Accident Cases We Handle

Many safety measures are in place to prevent accidents. Logbooks, federal regulations, and strict company measures are in place to encourage safe driving. Unfortunately, these are often circumvented to save time or make money.

We are capable of handling a wide variety of Miami truck accident cases, including the following:

• Alcohol-Related Crashes

Truck regulations are strict regarding the use of alcohol before or during a trucking operation. In fact, a truck driver is not allowed to use alcohol within 4 hours of being in control of a commercial vehicle. Additionally, a driver must be tested for alcohol usage if he or she causes a motor vehicle accident where the car sustains enough damage to result in a towing.

This alcohol test must be taken as soon as practicable after the crash.

If a motor carrier did not test their driver for alcohol when he or she caused an accident that resulted in the towing of a car, this could be used as evidence that they were covering up the use of alcohol. An alcohol test must be administered within two hours of an accident; if this does not happen, a motor carrier must specify in court why the test was not conducted within two hours. All truck drivers are legally obligated to take alcohol tests when asked by their motor carrier.

• Drowsy Driving Crashes

Federal regulations dictate that a driver can only drive 11 hours before he or she must be given 10 consecutive hours off-duty. Truck drivers may not operate when they have been on duty (driving and not driving) for more than 14 hours straight hours. Truck drivers must also take a 30-minute break for every 8 hours they drive. While broken regulations can result in fines or worse for a trucking company, truck drivers have historically been proven to be pressured to work over their allotted time. This can lead to overworked truck drivers who are drowsy while behind the wheel.

• Intersection Accidents

Miami truck accidents are just like other motor vehicle accidents with one exception: the vehicle damage caused by commercial trucks is much more severe. Commercial trucks cannot make the same driving maneuvers that smaller vehicles can. If a truck driver is trying to rush through a yellow light, the driver will likely have a hard time slowing down or stopping for another vehicle in case of an emergency. If a commercial truck runs a red light, the possibility of it T-boning another car is highly likely since trucks cannot stop as quickly as a typical vehicle. Regardless of the type of crash, the outcome of an intersection accident involving a commercial truck is usually catastrophic.

• Rear-End Collisions

Commercial trucks can weigh anywhere from 6,000 to 80,000 pounds. Now, imagine how much force it takes to stop 80,000 pounds moving at 40 mph. The brakes on commercial vehicles must be able to slow their loads at the drop of a hat. However, no matter how powerful the brakes, a vehicle will never go from 40 to 0 mph instantaneously—especially when they weigh so much. This means truck drivers must slow more efficiently than others. Their reactions need to be faster. Their timing more precise. While truck driving demands that a trucker be calculating in their stops, not every driver will be perfect. Truckers can try to correct their mistake by jamming on the brakes, but will sometimes end up ramming into the back of a car anyway. When truck drivers make distance mistakes, rear-end collisions are usually the result.

Our skilled Miami truck accident attorneys can uncover the cause of the crash and hold the guilty parties liable for any injuries, damaged possessions, or other losses you sustained.

Injuries Commonly Caused by Miami Truck Accidents

Trucks weigh up to 80,000 pounds, are dozens of feet long, and travel at speeds of 55 mph or faster. They are essentially train cars on wheels, which is why 18-wheelers are more heavily regulated than passenger cars. It's also why Miami truck accidents are far more fatal or life-changing than car accidents. In the vast majority, it's passengers who suffer the most.

Florida truck accidents cause injuries like:

• Traumatic brain injuries (concussions)
• Serious bone fractures
• Blunt force trauma
• Crush injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Post-traumatic stress disorder

It's important to remember that these are the common injuries. It's by no means exhaustive—truck accidents can be so devastating that virtually any injury is possible. Truck accident survivors have suffered serious burns, fallen comatose, and lost limbs in truck accidents. All of these serious injuries require extensive treatment and have lifelong consequences.

Common Causes of Miami Truck Accidents

In 2014, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration released the Large Truck Crash Causation Study, a massive project that examined the causes of 120,000 truck crashes throughout the early 2000s. The study not only noted the immediate cause of the truck accident (e.g. sudden lane changes), but also the associated factors that led to the accident. 

It provides a useful window into what actually led to your truck accident.

Over 80 percent of large truck crashes were caused by 1 of 3 event types: running out of the lane or off the road; loss of control due to speed, cargo shift, vehicle failure, or poor road conditions; or rear-ending another vehicle.

These three event types had common associated factors:

• Brake problems
• Prescription drug use
• Traveling too fast for conditions
• Fatigue or illness
• Inadequate surveillance
• Work pressure from employer

It's important to note that Miami truck accidents are caused by factors on multiple levels. For instance, the 'cause' of your accident might have been a rear-end collision, but the actual cause might have been drinking, over-the-counter drugs, or a harsh delivery schedule set by the employer. Our Miami trucking accident law firm is known for investigating every level of an accident to get real answers about who caused your injuries and why it happened to you.

Liability in Miami Truck Accident Cases

While the truck driver is directly responsible for operating an 18-wheeler, there are multiple parties who are behind every truck collision. Holding any of those companies or people accountable, however, requires a great deal of investigation and enough experience to ask the right questions. Our Miami truck accident lawyers' tremendous resources help victims get answers about what happened to them and who made it happen, which is a vital part of getting true justice in court.

The people at fault in a truck accident can include:

• The truck owner (responsible for maintenance)
• The shipping company
• Highway designers
• The company that loaded the truck
• The driver

Who is actually responsible for your Miami semi truck accident will depend on the circumstances of your accident. For instance, if you were hit by a shipping company driver who had a mechanical issue due to poor maintenance, then the trucker's employer would be at fault. If you were hit by a trucker who was under the influence, then they would be personally liable for your harm. If both were true, then both would be at fault. In any case, getting to the evidence as quickly as possible is vital for a strong case—speak with us as soon as possible to learn your options. 

Whatever the circumstances, you need to speak with a Miami truck accident lawyer as soon as possible. The Florida statute of limitations changed in 2023, so for trucking collisions that occurred prior to March 23, 2023, plaintiffs have four years to file a suit. For truck accidents on March 23 or later, plaintiffs must file within two years. In either case, the evidence for your claim may be long gone before then, so the sooner you speak with an attorney, the more likely you may be able to recover your losses.

Insurance Requirements for Truck Drivers in Florida

Florida has specific insurance requirements for commercial truck drivers that exceed the standard requirements for passenger vehicle drivers. Trucking companies must carry minimum liability insurance based on the weight of the truck and the cargo being transported.

For trucks weighing over 10,000 pounds, commercial truck operators must carry at least $750,000 in liability coverage for non-hazardous cargo. For trucks transporting hazardous materials, this increases to $1,000,000 or more, depending on the cargo type.

Florida is a no-fault insurance state, meaning that after a truck accident, your Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance will cover your immediate medical expenses, regardless of who was at fault. However, if your injuries exceed certain thresholds, you can step outside the no-fault system and file a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault party.

$15 Million Settlement in Truck Accident Case

33-year-old Hector Rodriguez was going to work early on the morning of August 1, 2001, when he was struck and killed by a commercial truck owned by an asphalt company. Hector eventually succumbed to his head injuries, and his wife called us for answers. Just four months later, we secured $15 million from the at-fault company for her and her family.

Though a tragic story, it's an example of the kind of needs and situations our firm helps resolve. Hector's wife was dealing with funeral expenses, medical care prior to death, loss of income, grief, pain and suffering, and a number of other losses. The $15 million settlement helped her rebuild her life. While no amount of money could replace her loved one, our work allowed her to move forward while empowering her to confront the people who caused her husband's death.

Call Our Florida Truck Accident Attorneys: (305) 770-6335

With more than 150 years of combined legal experience, we represent truck accident victims nationwide. Our Miami truck accident law firm purposefully limits our caseloads to provide each client with the time, energy, and resources needed to put them in the best possible position for success and fair compensation. In addition, we focus on developing a genuine relationship with our clients, working collaboratively toward a successful outcome. Because of our success in the field, we were rated "Best Law Firms" by U.S. News for personal injury. We represent clients in Florida and nationwide!

With hundreds of millions won, you can trust our Miami truck accident attorneys' approach to your case. To take the first step with a free consultation, give us a call at (305) 770-6335! Representing truck accident survivors nationwide.

Recommended Reading

• Can I Sue a Trucking Company for a Truck Driver's Negligence?
• Why Aren’t We Talking About the High Number of Fatal Semi-Truck Accidents?
• What to Do After a Truck Accident in Florida