Getting hit by a commercial truck isn’t like getting rear-ended by a sedan. Crashes with commercial trucks can lead to severe injuries, overlapping insurance policies, and legal complications tied to out-of-state corporate defendants. The damage goes far beyond the vehicle. Your health, income, and long-term stability may all be affected.
Every decision you make after a truck crash can shape the outcome of your case—from the care you get to the evidence that’s preserved.
If a truck accident has turned your life upside down, call Lesser, Landy, Smith & Seigel, PLLC at (561) 655-2028 or contact us here for help that starts now—not weeks from now.
What to Do at the Scene—If You’re Able
Truck crash scenes can be chaotic. If you’re conscious and not trapped or seriously hurt, focus on the essentials.
Protect Yourself First
If your vehicle is still in the road, turn on hazard lights and get to safety. Wait for paramedics or police to arrive before moving anyone who appears seriously injured.
Report the Crash and Request Medical Help
Florida law requires crashes involving injuries or serious property damage to be reported immediately. Calling 911 brings both law enforcement and paramedics to the scene. The officer’s report creates a written record of the crash—something insurance companies and attorneys rely on when reviewing fault, damages, and liability.
Exchange the Right Information
With truck crashes, basic details aren’t enough. In addition to the driver’s license and insurance info, you’ll want to ask:
- Who owns the truck?
- Who employs the driver?
- What company operates or leases the vehicle?
Our experienced Florida truck accident attorneys can use those details to determine who may be held responsible beyond the driver.
Start Preserving Evidence
Photos and notes taken immediately after the crash can capture details that disappear within hours. If the truck has visible damage, company logos, or a trailer plate number, get clear photos. Skid marks, road signs, and weather conditions can all support your version of what happened.
Don’t Skip Medical Attention—Even for “Mild” Symptoms
Florida’s Personal Injury Protection (PIP) law gives crash victims up to 14 days to seek medical care if they want to use their no-fault benefits. If you wait longer, you could lose access to up to $10,000 in medical coverage.
Even more importantly, untreated injuries can worsen or be used against you in a claim. Insurance adjusters frequently downplay claims when there’s a gap between the crash and the first doctor’s visit.
Follow Up After the Emergency Room
If you were released from the scene or left the hospital, book an appointment with a qualified provider. Delayed symptoms are common after truck crashes, including:
- Numbness or tingling in arms or legs
- Persistent back or neck pain
- Changes in mood or memory
- Trouble focusing or sleeping
Symptoms like that can point to spinal cord trauma or a concussion—both of which may lead to lasting medical issues if left untreated.
If a doctor recommends ongoing treatment, physical therapy, or imaging like an MRI, follow through. Insurance companies look at treatment patterns when evaluating both the seriousness of your injuries and the credibility of your claim.
Florida’s Fault Rules Could Affect Your Recovery
Florida made a major shift in how negligence claims work in 2023. Before that, even someone 90% at fault could still recover the remaining 10% of their damages. Now, under the current rule:
If you’re found more than 50% at fault in a negligence case, you recover nothing.
The updated law increases the risk in disputed-liability cases—especially when multiple vehicles are involved or the cause isn’t immediately clear. Trucking companies may try to argue that you were speeding, distracted, or changed lanes too closely to the truck.
The sooner you speak to a lawyer, the sooner that liability can be investigated and preserved in your favor.
Insurance Companies Move Fast—But Not in Your Favor
Once a trucking company knows there’s been a crash, their legal and insurance teams go to work. Their priority is limiting what they owe, not helping you understand your rights.
Claims Adjusters Are Trained to Minimize Payouts
If the trucking company’s insurer reaches out, it’s not a friendly check-in. They may ask for a recorded statement or request access to your medical records. They might make early settlement offers that sound generous—especially when medical bills start stacking up.
What they’re counting on is that you’ll accept the offer before you understand the full cost of your injuries. Once you settle, your claim is over—even if you need surgery a month later.
Don’t Talk to Their Insurer Without Legal Guidance
You’re required to report the accident to your own insurance provider, but you are not required to speak to the trucking company’s insurance adjuster. If they call, let them know you’re in the process of getting attorney representation.
An attorney can step in to handle those communications, gather evidence, and protect your rights from the beginning.
Why Truck Accident Cases Are Different from Car Crashes
Most people think of a truck crash as just a worse version of a car crash. In reality, truck accident cases are completely different.
Multiple Parties May Be Liable
You may not be suing the truck driver personally. Depending on what happened, your claim might involve:
- The driver’s employer
- A third-party logistics company
- The trailer’s owner (if it differs from the cab)
- A maintenance contractor that skipped inspections
Every layer adds complexity—and every party will point fingers elsewhere.
Commercial Trucks Carry More Insurance
That’s both a help and a challenge. Yes, there’s usually more insurance coverage available. But that means more defense lawyers and more aggressive opposition to paying out serious claims.
Preserving Evidence Quickly Can Change the Outcome
Key evidence in truck crashes doesn’t stick around forever. Some of the most important data includes:
- Driver logbooks, which show rest periods and driving hours
- Black box data (engine control modules), which record speed, braking, and more
- GPS tracking records
- Maintenance and inspection reports
- Drug and alcohol testing results (required after some crashes)
Trucking companies only retain certain records for short periods. If your attorney doesn’t request preservation early, it can legally disappear.
Acting quickly means better evidence—and better leverage when it’s time to negotiate or go to court.
How an Experienced Truck Accident Lawyer Can Help
Truck accident victims sometimes hesitate to call a lawyer right away. That’s understandable, especially when injuries, family responsibilities, and insurance stress all hit at once. But here’s what gets missed in the delay:
- Legal deadlines shrink. In some cases, evidence can be lost in weeks.
- Insurance companies act fast. They start building a case against you immediately.
- Injury symptoms evolve. Without proper tracking, insurers will argue your injury was unrelated or exaggerated.
A qualified truck accident lawyer can coordinate medical care, manage the insurance process, and hold trucking companies accountable under both state and federal law.
And unlike general practitioners, lawyers experienced in truck crash litigation know what to look for—because they’ve handled claims involving black box disputes, FMCSA violations, and multi-defendant liability before.
Truck Accident Cases: What to Expect Legally
Not every truck crash leads to a lawsuit—but when it does, the timeline looks different from ordinary injury cases.
Settlements Can Still Happen
Many cases resolve during the insurance negotiation stage. Your lawyer will work to calculate damages accurately—factoring in:
- Hospital and treatment costs
- Long-term therapy or surgeries
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
- Pain, suffering, and life disruption
A fair settlement avoids trial, but it takes more than just submitting a demand. It takes documented medical records, preserved evidence, and pressure that comes from a credible trial threat.
If the Case Proceeds to Litigation
If the trucking company refuses to settle, your lawyer may file a truck accident lawsuit, which opens the door to formal discovery, depositions, and court deadlines.
Truck crash litigation can take longer than other cases because it may involve:
- Multiple attorneys for each defendant
- Federal law (FMCSA regulations)
- Out-of-state corporate defendants
But that doesn’t mean you have to wait years. Many cases settle during the pre-trial phase once evidence is clearly established.
Typical Timeline After a Florida Truck Accident
| Stage | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Immediately after | Report the crash, get medical help, and gather evidence at the scene |
| First 1–14 days | Seek treatment within Florida’s PIP deadline; consult a lawyer; document injuries |
| Weeks 2–6 | Begin vehicle repairs, attend follow-up appointments, insurance investigations begin |
| 1–3 months | Ongoing care, medical records reviewed, claim valuation and negotiation |
| 3+ months | If no resolution, a lawsuit may be filed; discovery and depositions may begin |
Important Questions After a Truck Accident
Who can be held responsible besides the truck driver?
In serious truck crashes, the driver is rarely the only one at fault. A lawyer will look into the trucking company, the company that owns the trailer, any third-party maintenance contractors, and even the broker who arranged the load. If someone failed to maintain the brakes, pushed the driver past federal hour limits, or skipped safety checks, they may share liability—and increase the total compensation available.
What kind of evidence will you collect for my case?
Trucking companies don’t hand over records unless someone demands them. Your attorney can send preservation letters to secure black box data, driver logs, inspection records, and GPS tracking info before it’s lost or overwritten. In some cases, a crash reconstruction expert may be brought in to analyze how and why the collision happened.
Should I accept the insurance company’s settlement offer?
If you’ve already received an offer, it’s probably lower than what your case is worth. Insurance companies move quickly after truck crashes to limit payouts. What seems like a reasonable check today might not come close to covering surgery, rehab, or future income loss. A lawyer can compare the offer to the full value of your damages and let you know whether it’s even close to fair.
How long will my case take?
No two cases move at the same speed. Some settle within months. Others take longer, especially if you’re still treating or there’s a dispute over fault. Insurers often delay when they know your bills are piling up, hoping you’ll accept less. The timeline depends on how complex the case is, how long you need care, and whether a lawsuit becomes necessary.
Will the case end up in court?
Most truck accident cases settle, but not all. Some companies refuse to offer a fair amount without being pushed. A strong attorney prepares as if the case might go to trial, even if it doesn’t. That pressure—knowing your lawyer is ready to present the case to a jury—is often what brings the other side to the table with a serious offer.
Get Answers. Protect Your Rights.
Truck crashes are high-stakes. You’re not just dealing with medical appointments and insurance calls—you’re up against well-defended corporations and policies designed to protect them, not you.
Call Lesser, Landy, Smith & Seigel, PLLC at (561) 655-2028 or contact us by email today. We’re here to stand between you and the insurance companies—and fight for the full compensation you deserve.
