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Commercial Truck Accidents

Professional and Dedicated Commercial Truck Accident Attorneys

Commercial truck accidents present a unique challenge to roadway safety due to the vehicle’s massive weight and the complexity of federal regulations. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and preliminary NHTSA estimates for 2024 and 2025, while overall traffic fatalities have seen a decline, large truck involvements remain a critical concern. In 2024, fatalities in truck-related accidents reached approximately 5,467. This marks a steady 10% increase over the last four years.

National data indicates that nearly 71% of fatalities in these collisions are occupants of other vehicles, highlighting the vulnerability of passenger car drivers. Common factors cited by the Department of Transportation include driver fatigue, brake failure, and tire defects. Because these cases often involve multiple liable parties, including the carrier, maintenance providers, and cargo loaders, injured individuals should ideally consult a truck accident lawyer to ensure compliance with federal safety log requirements and to preserve crucial evidence, such as the “black box” data.

At HL Law Group, we know that navigating the legal aftermath of a truck accident requires a specialized understanding of both state statutes and federal safety regulations. Our team is knowledgeable about New York and Florida truck accident laws and can assist with your needs.

If you or a loved one incurred injuries or damage from a commercial truck crash, reach out to our firm. We’re dedicated to handling your case from day one until the day you get your maximum compensation.

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Types of Injuries in Commercial Truck Accidents

Due to the immense force of heavy vehicle collisions, a commercial truck accident claim often involves catastrophic trauma. Three of the most common injuries from truck accidents include:

  • Traumatic Brain Injuries: Cognitive or motor impairment from severe impact.
  • Spinal Cord Trauma: Nerve damage potentially resulting in paralysis.
  • Crush Injuries: Massive orthopedic fractures and internal organ damage.

Injured parties should ideally consult a commercial truck accident attorney to help ensure these life-altering injuries are professionally valued. At HL Law Group, we work with medical experts, accident reconstruction specialists, and crime scene investigators.

Common Causes of Commercial Truck Accidents

Commercial truck accidents are uniquely complex due to the massive weight of the vehicles and the specialized regulations that govern their operation. Identifying the precise cause of the accident is crucial in building a successful commercial truck accident claim. Investigations often reveal a combination of human error and systemic corporate failures.

Some of the common causes of truck accidents are the following:

  • Driver Fatigue: Despite strict Hours of Service (HOS) regulations, many drivers face immense pressure to meet delivery deadlines, leading to drowsy driving and slowed reaction times.
  • Improper Cargo Loading: If cargo is unbalanced or inadequately secured, it can cause a “jackknife” or a rollover accident, especially during sudden turns or braking.
  • Mechanical Failure: Negligent maintenance can lead to catastrophic failures, such as brake malfunctions, tire blowouts, or steering system collapses.
  • Speeding and Aggressive Driving: Because of their significant mass, trucks require much longer distances to stop. Exceeding the speed limit drastically increases the force of impact.
  • Distracted Driving: The use of mobile devices or navigation systems remains a leading cause of lane departures and rear-end collisions.
  • Inadequate Training: Motor carriers that fail to properly vet or train their drivers contribute significantly to preventable roadway incidents.

Determining fault often requires analyzing electronic logging data and maintenance records. Trucking companies have aggressive legal teams, which is why going against them would require having a skilled commercial truck accident attorney behind you. Our experienced lawyers help ensure that all black box data is preserved and the true cause of the collision is uncovered.

Determining the Liable Party After a Truck Accident

Unlike a standard passenger vehicle accident, where fault often lies with a single driver, a commercial truck accident can involve multiple liable parties. Under the legal doctrine of respondeat superior, an employer can be held vicariously liable for an employee’s negligence.

Potential liable parties include:

  • The Truck Driver: If the cause of the accident is the truck driver’s behavior, such as speeding, driving under the influence, or distracted driving, then they are liable.
  • The Trucking Company: For negligent hiring, failing to perform background checks, or pressuring drivers to violate safety hours, the truck company can be held liable.
  • Maintenance Providers: If a mechanical failure (such as brake or tire failure) was caused by inadequate repair or inspection, then the maintenance providers may be liable.
  • Cargo Loaders: Cargo loaders are responsible for properly securing freight. If their failure to do this results in load shifts during transit and causes a rollover or loss of control, then they can be held liable.
  • Parts Manufacturers: If a defective component caused the crash, the manufacturer can be held liable.

Key Florida Statutes and Negligence Laws

Florida’s negligence laws have undergone significant changes recently, moving toward a more restrictive standard for injured parties.
  • Modified Comparative Negligence: The state follows a “51% bar rule.” A claimant may recover damages only if they are 50% or less at fault. If a jury determines that the injured person was 51% or more responsible for the crash, they are legally disallowed from recovering any compensation.
  • Proportional Recovery: If the injured is partially at fault (e.g., 20%), their total compensation will be reduced by that percentage (resulting in an 80% recovery).
  • The “No-Fault” Exception: While Florida is a “No-Fault” state for minor car accidents, the Serious Injury Threshold almost always applies in truck accidents. This allows those with permanent injuries or significant scarring to step outside the PIP system to sue for full damages.

Crucial Evidence in Trucking Claims 

Here are some of the most crucial pieces of evidence. It involves technical data and records mandated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

Here are some of the most crucial evidence you need to prove the other party’s negligence:

  • Electronic Logging Device (ELD) Data: These logs track the driver’s “Hours of Service.” They are critical for proving driver fatigue or violations of mandatory rest periods.
  • The “Black Box” (Event Data Recorder): Commercial trucks carry computers that record speed, braking patterns, and throttle position in the seconds leading up to an impact.
  • Maintenance and Inspection Records: Federal law requires trucking firms to maintain detailed records of vehicle maintenance. Missing or falsified records can be powerful evidence of negligence.
  • Post-Accident Drug and Alcohol Tests: FMCSA regulations require carriers to test drivers immediately following a major collision.

Types of Recoverable Damages

Given the severity of these crashes, the financial stakes are high. Damages are generally split into three categories:
  1. Economic Damages: These are quantifiable losses such as emergency medical bills, ongoing rehabilitation costs, lost wages, and loss of future earning capacity.
  2. Non-Economic Damages: You are entitled to receive compensation for intangible losses, including physical pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of consortium (companionship).
  3. Punitive Damages: These may be awarded if the defendant is found guilty of “intentional misconduct” or “gross negligence,” such as a trucking company knowingly allowing an unlicensed driver to operate a truck.

How a Commercial Truck Accident Attorney Can Help

The legal requirements for a commercial truck accident claim are often complex and involve federal safety regulations. You will also need to deal with powerful corporate insurers who can get unreasonable and aggressive. As your trusted truck accident attorney, we provide critical advocacy to ensure that your rights are protected against well-resourced trucking companies.

The key responsibilities of an attorney include:

  • Evidence Preservation: Immediately issuing “spoliation letters” to prevent the trucking company from destroying black box data, driver logs, and maintenance records.
  • Regulatory Analysis: Investigating violations of FMCSA rules, such as Hours of Service limits or improper cargo loading.
  • Identifying Multiple Defendants: Determining if liability extends beyond the driver to the motor carrier, vehicle manufacturer, or cargo loaders.
  • Expert Consultation: Partnering with accident reconstructionists and medical experts to prove exactly how the collision occurred and the long-term impact of the injuries.

Trucking insurers often deploy rapid-response teams to the scene. Our dedicated team helps level the playing field and ensure all technical evidence is secured for a fair recovery.

Let HL Law Group Handle Your Commercial Truck Accident Claim

The aftermath of a commercial truck accident is often characterized by catastrophic injuries and an intricate legal process that involves federal safety regulations and multiple corporate entities. Unlike standard passenger vehicle claims, trucking cases require the immediate preservation of specialized evidence, such as “black box” data and electronic logging device (ELD) records, to hold carriers and manufacturers accountable.

Navigating these claims requires a deep understanding of the tactics commercial insurers use to shift liability. At our firm, our personal injury attorneys can help uncover the truth behind truck crashes, from identifying maintenance failures to proving hours-of-service violations. You don’t have to face powerful trucking corporations alone.

Our team will help you understand your rights and the potential value of your claim. We will work to ensure those responsible are held fully accountable.

Secure your future today. Contact us for a free, confidential case evaluation. Send an email to [email protected] or call (866) 673-5553 to schedule an appointment. Let HL Law Group handle the heavy lifting while you focus on your physical recovery.

If you have a question about your insurance claim, relating to the coverage you have or about information you received from your insurance carrier, feel free to call our office and speak with one of our attorneys. More than a law firm, HL Law Group is a legal resource for its clients.

Schedule a free case evaluation