Truck Accident FAQs

Your first priority should always be your health and safety. Call 911 and seek medical attention right away, even if you feel fine. Internal injuries or trauma may not show symptoms immediately. If you're able, take photos of the vehicles, your injuries, road signs, and any visible skid marks or debris. Get the names and contact information of witnesses and exchange insurance details with the other driver. Do not admit fault or make assumptions about what happened. Before speaking to an insurance adjuster, consider contacting our Miami truck accident lawyers who can help protect your interests from the start.

Truck accidents usually involve more damage, more severe injuries, and more complicated liability issues. A crash with a commercial truck often means multiple companies could be involved—from the truck driver and their employer to the company that loaded the truck or maintained it. Additionally, trucks are subject to state and federal safety regulations that don’t apply to personal vehicles. These differences can affect both how the accident is investigated and how compensation is determined.

Truck drivers can be held accountable for negligent driving, but they’re rarely the only ones. The trucking company may be responsible for failing to train the driver or forcing unsafe schedules. If the truck was overloaded or poorly maintained, a third-party contractor or repair shop may share blame. The vehicle manufacturer might even be liable if a defective part contributed to the crash. Identifying every responsible party takes a thorough investigation. Our Miami truck accident lawyers can help uncover all sources of liability for your injuries.

Compensation, also known as damages, may include both financial losses and pain-related damages. Medical expenses, future treatment costs, lost wages, loss of earning capacity, and property damage are all recoverable. In addition, you may be able to pursue compensation for past and future pain and suffering, emotional distress, or diminished quality of life. In cases involving reckless conduct or company-wide safety violations, punitive damages may be considered as well to punish the company.

You generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit in Florida. Evidence can also disappear quickly—especially if a trucking company is involved. It’s important to begin the legal process as soon as possible so your attorney has time to investigate thoroughly and preserve key documentation needed. If the lawsuit is not filed timely, it can potentially prevent you from obtaining a financial recovery.

You should never accept a settlement offer without having an attorney review it first. Insurance companies want to close claims quickly and cheaply. Their first offer is often far less than what your case is worth. Once you accept a settlement, you generally give up your right to pursue any further compensation—even if your injuries worsen. Our experienced attorneys can assess whether the offer is fair and negotiate for a better one if needed.

Even if you were partially to blame for the accident, you may still be entitled to compensation. Florida uses a modified comparative fault system, which means your compensation will be reduced by the percentage of fault assigned to you. For example, if you're found 20 percent at fault and awarded $100,000, your final recovery would be $80,000. However, if you are more than 50 percent responsible, you may not be able to recover at all. Our experienced lawyers can help you challenge unfair fault assessments and build a case for full recovery.

There’s no fixed timeline, but most truck accident claims take several months to over a year to resolve, depending on the specific circumstances. If liability is clear and injuries are well-documented, your case might settle relatively quickly. However, if multiple parties are involved or serious injuries are still being treated, it may take longer. Going to trial can extend the timeline further, but sometimes it’s necessary to get the full compensation you deserve.

Strong cases rely on solid evidence. This includes the police report, photos from the crash scene, medical records, eyewitness statements, and expert opinions. In truck accident cases, additional evidence like driver logs, black box data, GPS tracking, maintenance records, and employer safety procedures can also be key. Your legal team will work to preserve and collect all this information before it disappears or is altered.

Truck accident claims are rarely straightforward. You're likely dealing with large insurance companies, multiple corporate entities, and legal teams that are trained to minimize payouts. Having a Miami truck accident lawyer on your side gives you an advocate who understands the process and is focused on your recovery. From investigating the crash to negotiating settlements and representing you in court if necessary, an attorney makes a significant difference in the outcome of your case.