Florida Truck Accident Lawyers
Crashes with big commercial trucks and semi-trailers are some of the most serious wrecks on Florida's roads. These trucks are so large and heavy that a crash with a normal car often leaves people with life-changing or fatal injuries. The truck accident lawyers at Templer & Hirsch have the experience and resources to take on large trucking companies and their insurance carriers. In our experience, these cases are won in the first days after the crash, while the truck's logs, dashcam footage, and maintenance records still exist and before the company's own investigators have a chance to shape the story.

Why Truck Accidents Are Different

Truck accident cases are far more complex than a regular car accident case. More than one party may be at fault: the driver, the trucking company, the crew that loaded the cargo, the truck maker, or the company that serviced the truck. Federal trucking rules also come into play, so we look at hours-of-service logs, maintenance records, and driver qualification files. Evidence can vanish fast, which makes a quick investigation critical.

Common Causes of Truck Accidents

The most common causes of truck crashes in Florida include tired drivers who push past their legal hours, distracted driving, cargo that was loaded or secured the wrong way, equipment failures such as bad brakes or blown tires, driving under the influence, speeding and aggressive driving, and poor driver training.

Damages in Truck Accident Cases

Because truck accident injuries are often severe, the losses can be large. You may be owed money for major medical care such as surgery, hospital stays, and rehab, along with long-term disability, lost wages, lost future earnings, pain and suffering, property damage, and wrongful death losses for surviving family members.

Acting Immediately Is Critical

Trucking companies and their insurers move fast after a crash to protect themselves. They send investigators to the scene, lock down the evidence that helps their side, and start building their defense right away. You need a strong attorney working for you just as quickly. Call Templer & Hirsch as soon as you can after a truck accident for a free consultation.

Why Truck Cases Follow Federal Rules, Not Just Florida Law

A truck crash is not just a bigger car crash. Interstate trucks are governed by federal safety regulations from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), and those rules, plus the sheer size difference, change how these cases are built and who can be held responsible.

Weight on the road: loaded semi vs. passenger car

Fully loaded semi-truck
up to 80,000 lbs
Typical passenger car
~4,000 lbs

Federal law caps most interstate trucks at 80,000 pounds without a special permit, roughly 20 times a passenger car. That disparity is why truck-crash injuries are so often catastrophic.

11 hrsMax daily driving under FMCSA hours-of-service rules
14 hrsOn-duty window before a required break
2 yrsFlorida deadline to file (Fla. Stat. § 95.11)

More than one party may be liable. Beyond the driver, a truck-crash claim can reach the trucking company, the cargo loader, a maintenance contractor, or a parts manufacturer. Federal hours-of-service and inspection records (49 CFR) are key evidence, and they can be lost quickly, which is why fast action matters. If a car was also involved, our car accident and personal injury pages explain how Florida's fault rules apply.

Where We Handle Florida Truck Accident Lawyers Cases

We handle truck and commercial-vehicle crashes along Florida's interstates and highways, including these communities:

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes a truck accident case different from a car accident?

Trucks are regulated by federal FMCSA rules covering driver hours, inspections, maintenance, and cargo. Those records are powerful evidence, and more parties can be liable, including the trucking company and maintenance contractors. The injuries are also typically more severe because of the weight difference.

Who can be held responsible for a truck crash in Florida?

Potentially the driver, the motor carrier that employed them, a cargo loading company, a maintenance or repair contractor, or the manufacturer of a defective part. A thorough investigation identifies every responsible party and the insurance behind them.

How long do I have to file a truck accident claim in Florida?

Generally two years from the date of the crash under Fla. Stat. § 95.11. Because critical evidence like driver logs and vehicle data can disappear, it is important to act well before that deadline.

What evidence matters most in a truck accident case?

Electronic logging device (hours-of-service) data, the truck's black box, maintenance and inspection records, the driver's qualification file, and the police report. Sending a legal hold letter quickly helps preserve records the carrier might otherwise discard.

Why Choose Templer & Hirsch?

  • We investigate FMCSA violations, driver logs, and maintenance records
  • Identify all liable parties: driver, trucking company, cargo loader
  • Act immediately to preserve critical evidence
  • Aggressive representation against large trucking insurers
  • 35+ years of experience: ready to go to trial

Explore more ways Templer & Hirsch can help, and use our settlement calculators for federal maritime claims.

If you or a loved one has been injured, the most important step you can take is to speak with an experienced attorney as soon as possible. Call Templer & Hirsch today for a free, confidential consultation. We are ready to help.

Sources & further reading (verify before relying on them)

This page is general information, not legal advice. Laws change; confirm the current statute and speak with an attorney about your situation.