Millions of Dollars
Recovered for Our Clients.
Recovered for Our Clients.
Let Us Fight for the Money You Deserve!
Florida Tractor Trailer Attorneys
A fully loaded tractor-trailer can weigh up to 80,000 pounds. When a commercial truck collides with a standard passenger vehicle, the sheer physics involved almost always result in catastrophic injuries or death. If you or a loved one were injured in a crash with a semi-truck or 18-wheeler, you are not always just dealing with a negligent driver – you may be up against a massive corporate trucking company and their teams of defense lawyers.
At the Law Offices of Jason Turchin, our Florida truck accident lawyers have handled thousands of complex injury claims. We understand the aggressive tactics trucking companies use to minimize payouts, and we have the financial resources and litigation experience to fight back.
👉 Call (800) 337-7755 today or use our live chat for a free, completely confidential consultation. You won’t pay any attorney’s fees or out-of-pocket costs unless we win or settle your case.
Why Tractor-Trailer Accidents Are Often Different
A commercial truck crash is not always handled like a normal car accident. The trucking industry is strictly regulated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Winning a tractor-trailer lawsuit may require an attorney who knows how to uncover violations of these specific federal laws. We can aggressively investigate:
- Hours of Service (HOS) Violations: Truck drivers are legally limited in how many hours they can drive without resting. We can subpoena or request driver logbooks to prove if a driver was illegally fatigued.
- Black Box (ECM) Data: Modern tractor-trailers are often equipped with Electronic Control Modules. We can download this data to prove the truck’s exact speed, braking time, and steering angles at the moment of impact.
- Corporate “Rapid Response” Teams: Within minutes of a crash on I-95 or the Florida Turnpike, trucking companies may dispatch their own investigators to the scene to control the narrative. You could need your own legal team fighting on your behalf just as quickly.
The “Spoliation” Threat: Why You Must Act Fast
Time can be your biggest enemy in a commercial trucking case. Under federal law, trucking companies are only required to keep critical evidence like driver logbooks, dashcam footage, and maintenance records for a very short period of time (often just 6 months) before they can legally destroy it.
When you hire our firm, we can immediately send a Spoliation Letter (a formal preservation of evidence demand) to the trucking company. This can legally prevent them from destroying or “losing” the exact evidence we could need for your case.
Who is Liable in a Florida Trucking Accident?
Unlike a standard car crash where only the other driver is sued, tractor-trailer cases often involve multiple corporate defendants and massive commercial insurance policies. Depending on the facts of the 18-wheeler trucking accident, we may pursue compensation from:
- The Truck Driver: For distracted driving, speeding, or driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
- The Trucking Company: Under the legal doctrine of respondeat superior, employers are responsible for the negligence of their drivers. We can also sue them directly for negligent hiring and failure to train.
- The Cargo Loaders: If the trailer was improperly loaded or overloaded, it can cause the truck to jackknife or roll over.
- The Maintenance Company: If a third-party mechanic failed to replace worn brake pads or bald tires, leading to a blowout.
New Florida Law: The 2-Year Deadline
Due to the massive 2023 Florida tort reform (HB 837), the time to file a negligence lawsuit has been drastically reduced. You now typically have only two years from the date of the crash to file a personal injury claim. For families dealing with a tragic loss, the statute of limitations for a wrongful death claim remains firmly at two years. Missing this strict deadline could permanently bar your recovery.
Why Hire the Law Offices of Jason Turchin?
Trucking companies often fight hard to protect their bottom line. You may need a law firm with a reputation for uncompromising advocacy. Choosing us means you can benefit from:
- AV Preeminent® Rated by Martindale-Hubbell: The highest possible peer review rating for legal ability and ethics.
- Over 6,500 Cases Handled: Extensive experience litigating complex, multi-million dollar corporate insurance claims.
- 10.0 Superb AVVO Rating: Maintaining professional excellence through thousands of client interactions.
- Zero-Fee Guarantee: We handle all tractor-trailer cases on a contingency fee basis so there are no fees or costs if there is no recovery.
Contact us 24/7 at (800) 337-7755 for your free consultation. We can handle trucking cases throughout Miami, Orlando, Tampa, Jacksonville, and the entire state of Florida.
Florida Tractor Trailer Accident FAQs
How much is a tractor-trailer accident case worth in Florida?
Because commercial trucks cause catastrophic injuries, FMCSA regulations often require interstate trucking companies to carry massive insurance policies, often ranging from $750,000 to over $5,000,000. The value of your specific case depends on your medical bills, lost earning capacity, and permanent pain and suffering.
What is the ‘Black Box’ in a commercial truck?
Most modern tractor-trailers have an Electronic Control Module (ECM) or ‘Black Box’. This device often records crucial data right before a crash, including the truck’s speed, whether the driver hit the brakes, and steering patterns. We can try to secure this data before the trucking company can delete it.
Can I still get money from a truck crash if I was partially at fault for the crash?
Yes, as long as you were 50% or less at fault. Under Florida’s new ‘modified comparative negligence’ rule, your compensation may be reduced by your percentage of fault. If a jury finds you were 51% or more at fault, you generally cannot recover any damages. Trucking companies often try to blame the victim, which is why you may need an aggressive lawyer.
Can I still sue for a trucking accident if the truck driver was an independent contractor?
Trucking companies often classify drivers as ‘independent contractors’ to avoid liability. However, federal regulations (like the ‘statutory employee’ rule) could allow us to pierce this corporate veil and hold the trucking company financially responsible for the driver’s negligence.
