Broward County Truck Accident Lawyers
Regain Control After a Truck Accident
Our Broward County truck accident lawyers see the fallout from devastating truck accidents regularly. Unfortunately, large commercial vehicles pose a huge threat on Broward County highways. Florida’s dense commercial traffic, especially along routes like I-95, I-595, and the Florida Turnpike, adds to the frequency of accidents.
A serious truck accident leaves you facing pain, confusion, and uncertainty about what to do next. You may be missing out on a paycheck due to your injuries and the medical bills have started piling up. You may also be getting pressure from insurance companies, who are calling with questions you’re not ready to answer.
At Lesser, Landy, Smith & Siegel, PLLC, our goal is to bring structure and clarity to that chaos. Our attorneys move quickly to investigate, preserve key evidence, and build leverage against insurers. If you were hurt in a commercial truck accident in Broward County, call our lawyers at 954-495-2715 for a free consultation.
Do I Have a Case?
This is the first question we’ll help you to answer. This may or may not be straightforward, depending on the facts of your case.
Was There Negligence?
The key consideration is negligence — whether the truck driver, trucking company, or another party acted carelessly and whether that is what led to your injuries.
There are four elements required for negligence to exist:
- Duty of care
- Breach of duty
- Causation
- Damages
The truck driver and company owe a duty to operate safely; when that duty is breached and causes harm, they can be held liable.
Negligence can take many forms, and it can come from more than one party. It might mean that a driver exceeded hours-of-service limits, a trucking company failed to maintain its fleet, or a cargo loader ignored weight restrictions.
During your free case review, our Florida truck accident lawyers will analyze all available evidence to see whether a viable claim is likely to exist. We’ll also identify any other potential sources of evidence that might be helpful in this regard down the line.
After the Accident: Protecting Your Case
The first step you take after an accident should be to seek medical help, even if you feel fine. Lots of injuries, including serious head trauma, don’t start showing symptoms right away.
- Medical Treatment: Seeing a doctor is important, first and foremost, because of your health. However, it will also have an important bearing on your ability to seek compensation later on. The medical records arising from your initial appointment will serve as crucial evidence in your case; the sooner you get assessed after your crash, the more effective this evidence will be.
- Documentation: You should also document your injuries regularly after your accident. Take photos and videos, and keep a journal detailing any developments in your symptoms.
- Be Careful What You Say to Insurance Companies: From there, the next critical step is to contact a Broward County truck accident lawyer. You should not give information to any insurance company representative until you’ve met a lawyer, other than to notify your own insurer about what happened.
- Contact a Lawyer Quickly: Trucking companies often act fast to defend themselves following accidents. Without attorney involvement from the beginning, crucial data like driver logbooks, maintenance records, and electronic control module (ECM) information can disappear.
Â
Our firm ensures that evidence will be available by sending preservation letters immediately, working with law enforcement, and managing all communication with insurers on your behalf. We’ll also help you to coordinate medical billing and treatment documentation, so that the evidence of your claim value remains clear.
How to Choose the Right Attorney
Truck accident claims pose a lot of specific challenges; you need an attorney who understands these, and knows how to overcome them.
Deep Knowledge of Laws and Regulations: State and federal trucking regulations are one key consideration. The most important of these are the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) rules around vehicle weight and driver hours. Our Broward County truck accident attorneys know these regulations inside out.
Working With Experts: Access to professional investigators and accident reconstruction experts is also essential. At Lesser, Landy, Smith & Siegel, PLLC, we have a broad and deep network of experts who can interpret black-box data, driver logs, and dispatch records to recreate events accurately.
Experience with Complex Cases: Finally, experience with complicated cases involving multiple sources of liability is vital. As noted above, truck accident cases tend to have more moving parts than those related to other types of road accidents; you need a lawyer who’s comfortable with this level of complexity.
Client-Focused Service: Beyond knowledge and experience, effective representation comes down to how your attorney treats you and your case. Our team makes communication a priority, explaining each step clearly and responding quickly to questions or updates. We take time to understand your concerns and goals so that the legal strategy reflects your needs, not a boilerplate playbook. Every client deserves full attention and a team that keeps them informed and supported throughout the process.
Lesser, Landy, Smith & Siegel, PLLC has been delivering results for victims of serious truck accident cases for decades. Our client reviews show that we’re not the average firm when it comes to winning cases.
How Our Lawyers Build Winning Cases
Every successful truck accident claim begins with meticulous investigation and preparation.
- We begin by securing trucking logs, ECM data, dispatch notes, and maintenance records. These documents reveal whether the company or driver broke safety rules or skipped required inspections.
- Then, we collect crash scene photographs, surveillance footage, and witness accounts without delay (these types of evidence become more difficult to obtain as time passes).
- We partner with medical specialists and vocational experts to project future treatment needs and lost earning capacity. This ensures every financial and physical loss is accurately documented.
- Once we build the case, our truck accident attorneys handle all insurer contact and negotiations. We generally try to settle cases outside the courtroom, as this allows you to access compensation more quickly. However, if the defendant(s) in your case are unwilling to reach a fair compromise, we won’t hesitate to go in front of a judge and jury to stand up for your rights.
At every stage, our attorneys lead the process personally. We don’t pass cases to assistants or case managers. Every client benefits from direct attorney involvement and accountability.
Why Truck Accident Claims Can Be Complicated
Truck accident claims differ from regular car accident cases in several important ways.
First, multiple parties may share responsibility; the driver, trucking carrier, cargo loader, or maintenance contractor. Each of these parties may have separate insurance policies and defense lawyers.
Also, federal and state regulations impose detailed record-keeping and operational standards. Violations of these rules can help to prove negligence (indeed, cases often rest on them completely), but identifying them requires experience.
At Lesser, Landy, Smith & Siegel, PLLC, our attorneys manage every moving piece.
Fault Determinations in Truck Accident Cases
Florida follows a modified comparative negligence rule. Since a legislative change in 2023, you can recover damages as long as you are not more than 50% at fault for an accident. However, your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you were 20% responsible for the crash, your total recovery entitlements would be capped at 80% of their overall value.
Possible Compensation in Truck Accident Cases
Broward County truck accident compensation falls into three broad categories; economic, noneconomic, and punitive damages. However, only economic and noneconomic damages are available in most truck accident cases (punitive damages are reserved for cases involving grossly negligent or malicious conduct).
Economic Damages
- Medical bills and rehabilitation costs.
- Lost income and reduced earning potential.
- Future medical care and assistive equipment.
- Property damage (when applicable).
Noneconomic Damages
- Pain and suffering.
- Physical limitations.
- Loss of enjoyment of life.
Statute of Limitations
Under Florida Statutes §95.11, most truck accident victims have two years from the date of the crash to file a lawsuit. Wrongful death cases follow similar timelines, though claims involving minors may have different deadlines.
However, you should ideally be filing your lawsuit well in advance of this deadline. The quicker you start the process, the better your chances of success will be. The longer you wait, the more difficult it gets to collect compelling evidence.
Local Experience That Benefits Broward County Clients
Our attorneys represent truck accident victims throughout Broward County, including in Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, Pembroke Pines, Plantation, and surrounding communities.
We’re familiar with the unique traffic patterns and trucking routes that run through the region — from I-95 and I-595 to Florida’s Turnpike and the busy corridors serving Port Everglades.
That local knowledge helps us coordinate with area investigators, medical providers, and courts efficiently. It also allows us to understand how regional trucking operations and insurance carriers handle claims.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who pays for my medical bills after a truck accident in Florida? Florida’s no-fault (PIP) coverage pays initial medical costs, but serious injuries often exceed those limits. If you’re in this position, you’ll need to consider filing a personal injury lawsuit against the truck driver or trucking company.
Can I recover if I was partly at fault? Yes, as long as you were not more than 50% responsible under Florida’s modified comparative negligence rule. Your recovery will be reduced by your degree of fault.
How long do truck accident cases take in Broward County? Some cases resolve within months; others, especially those involving severe injuries or complex liability scenarios, can take much longer. Also, cases that settle out of court tend to conclude a lot more quickly, on average.
What do attorney fees cost and when are they due? We work on a contingency fee basis. You won’t owe us anything unless and until we secure compensation for you.
Contact Lesser, Landy, Smith & Siegel, PLLC
If a truck accident has disrupted your life, you don’t have to face the legal process alone. The attorneys at Lesser, Landy, Smith & Siegel, PLLC act quickly to protect crucial evidence and build the strongest possible case for recovery.
We offer free consultations and work entirely on a contingency basis — meaning you owe no fees unless we obtain compensation for you.
Broward County Office: Lesser, Landy, Smith & Siegel, PLLC
261 N. University Drive, Suite 500, Plantation, FL 33324
If a truck accident has disrupted the lives of you and your family, call Lesser, Landy, Smith & Siegel, PLLC today. Our attorneys are ready to fight for the full and fair recovery you deserve.
