Stuart Truck Accident Lawyers
Truck Accident Attorneys Helping Victims in Stuart, FL
After a Truck Accident in Stuart, the Pressure Starts Immediately. It doesn’t take long for things to pile up. Medical appointments, missed work, repair estimates, and calls from the trucking company’s insurance carrier. When the other vehicle is a commercial truck—like an 18-wheeler, delivery vehicle, or freight carrier—the process gets more aggressive, not less. Their goal is to manage the outcome before you know what’s been lost.
If you were hit by a commercial truck in Stuart, the truck accident attorneys at Lesser, Landy, Smith & Siegel will explain where things stand and what can be done to protect your case—no pressure, just answers. Call (772) 283-6839 for a free consultation.
What Makes Commercial Truck Crashes Different From Other Accidents
The Crash Is Just the Start
A crash with a semi or commercial truck isn’t just a bigger version of a car accident. The injuries are more severe, the insurance coverage is larger, and the defense strategies start almost immediately. What happens in the first few days can shape the rest of the case.
Trucking companies have insurance policies that can reach into the millions, and with that kind of exposure, they move fast to protect themselves. They send investigators to the scene, review onboard data, and collect anything that supports their version of events. That includes anything you say, any delay in treatment, and any gap in the facts.
How Early Steps Shape the Case
Cases like these aren’t built from a single police report or one conversation with an adjuster. They come together through records, timelines, and technical evidence. Without someone organizing those pieces early, it’s easy for important details to get lost or twisted. That’s where an experienced Stuart truck accident attorney can step in—not just to respond, but to set the case up before it starts moving in the wrong direction.
Truck Crash Hotspots in Stuart and Martin County
Truck traffic in and around Stuart isn’t limited to highways. Between freight routes, local deliveries, and construction traffic, commercial vehicles move through neighborhoods, business districts, and rural stretches throughout Martin County.
We’ve seen serious truck crash cases involving:
- US-1 and the Florida Turnpike, where high-speed freight traffic meets local exits
- I-95, especially near construction zones and heavy merge areas
- Kanner Highway (State Road 76), which carries commercial trucks between agricultural and industrial areas
- State Road 714, a route used by haulers and service trucks connecting I-95 and the Turnpike
- Local streets near distribution centers, industrial parks, and large retail hubs where delivery trucks and box trucks are active throughout the day
Every location presents its own risks—tight turns, limited visibility, poor road maintenance, or constant traffic congestion. No matter where the crash happened, our Stuart truck accident attorneys are ready to help sort out what happened and who’s responsible.
Frequently Asked Questions in Truck Accident Cases
What if I didn’t go to the hospital right away—can I still file a claim?
Yes, but you’ll need medical records that connect the injury to the crash. If you waited because you thought the pain would go away, that’s understandable—but insurance companies use gaps in care to challenge claims. Our lawyers help organize the timeline so they don’t control the story.
How do I get medical treatment if I don’t have health insurance?
After a truck crash, medical bills can add up quickly—especially without insurance. In some cases, we work with providers who are willing to hold off on billing while the case is active. If the case results in a recovery, those bills are paid from the settlement. If not, the patient may still be responsible, but we often negotiate with providers to reduce or waive unpaid balances when needed.
Can the trucking company argue I caused the crash?
They usually do. Florida’s comparative fault rule gives them an incentive to shift blame early. That’s why it’s important to preserve evidence, gather witness statements, and lock in the facts while they’re still fresh.
What if I already gave a recorded statement—did I hurt my case?
It depends on what was said, but you’re not out of options. We review recorded statements and work to correct anything that could be taken out of context. Going forward, we handle all communication with the insurance company so the record doesn’t keep working against you.
How long will this process take, and what happens while I’m waiting?
A personal injury lawsuit after a truck crash takes time—but that doesn’t mean you’ll be in the dark. We stay in contact, manage the paperwork, and deal with the insurance companies while you focus on your recovery. You’ll know where things stand, and we’ll be working behind the scenes to move it forward.
The Investigation Starts Fast—and You’re Already Behind Without One
After a crash, the trucking company doesn’t wait. They send investigators, review driver logs, pull data from the truck’s systems, and begin shaping their version of what happened—sometimes before the other driver has even left the hospital.
Commercial trucks store key data that can make or break a case, including:
- Speed, braking, and engine activity
- Video footage from forward-facing or onboard cameras
- Driver hours and breaks logged electronically
- Service records and maintenance history
That information doesn’t stick around unless someone makes sure it does. Some records are erased after a few weeks. Others are routinely discarded unless a formal request is made. The trucking company controls access to nearly all of it, and once it’s gone, it’s gone.
An attorney who handles truck cases knows how to send the right notice to preserve that evidence. Without it, the case may come down to guesswork or assumptions. With it, the facts carry weight—and the story doesn’t just reflect what the insurance company wants it to say.
How We Build a Case After a Truck Accident in Stuart
Serious truck crash cases don’t build themselves. Here’s how our Stuart truck accident attorneys work behind the scenes to protect your case and make sure no key detail gets lost.
- Preserve the right evidence before it disappears
We send formal notice to the trucking company to lock down black box data, logbooks, and other records. Without that, the case could end up built on incomplete or one-sided information. - Identify every party responsible
It’s not always just the truck driver. The employer, the maintenance contractor, the freight company—any one of them could be part of the reason the crash happened. We find out who was involved so you’re not stuck chasing one policy when others apply. - Document the full impact of your injuries
Medical expenses are just part of it. We work with doctors, specialists, and sometimes long-term care planners to show how the injury affects your ability to work, care for yourself, and live the life you had before. - Respond when the insurer tries to delay or minimize the claim
Insurance companies use stall tactics and lowball offers to pressure people into settling. We deal with that directly—so the case moves forward, not sideways. - Prepare the file like it’s going to trial
Even if the truck accident claim settles, it needs to be built like it won’t. The truck accident attorneys at Lesser, Landy, Smith & Siegel prepare every file with courtroom standards in mind. That’s what gives it strength in negotiation—and clarity if it goes further.
The Injuries in Truck Crashes Are Different—and So Are the Stakes
A truck collision with a smaller vehicle rarely ends in a short hospital visit or a quick recovery. Commercial truck crashes can leave people with life-altering injuries that don’t improve with time, and the treatment is rarely simple.
Some of the injuries we see most in truck crash cases include:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord damage and herniated discs
- Multiple fractures and orthopedic surgeries
- Internal injuries requiring hospitalization
- Long-term pain management and rehabilitation
In the most severe cases, someone doesn’t survive. Under Florida law, a wrongful death claim can be brought by a spouse, children, or the estate’s personal representative. Damages in those cases may include funeral costs, loss of income, and support the person would have provided to their family.
A personal injury claim with catastrophic injuries or wrongful death isn’t shaped by emotion—it’s shaped by documentation. Our Stuart truck accident attorneys work with medical experts and care planners to show how the crash changed the course of someone’s life, and what it will take to move forward.
How Insurance Works in Commercial Truck Cases
When someone is hit by a commercial truck, they sometimes assume the claim will be simple because there’s more insurance coverage. That part is usually true—trucking companies carry larger policies than private drivers—but getting access to that coverage is rarely straightforward.
The amount of insurance depends on what kind of truck was involved and where it was operating:
- Intrastate trucks operating only in Florida are subject to state minimums, which vary by weight. Heavier trucks generally carry at least $300,000 in liability coverage.
- Interstate carriers—trucks crossing state lines—are required to comply with federal insurance rules. Minimum policies start around $750,000 and can reach into the millions, depending on what the truck was hauling.
- Some carriers have layered coverage, with a primary policy and additional excess or umbrella coverage that may apply in severe injury or wrongful death cases.
More coverage doesn’t mean the insurance company pays without a fight. The higher the limits, the more pressure there is on the defense to limit exposure—especially when accident victims are facing long recoveries and significant losses. Our Stuart truck accident attorneys are experienced in identifying all available coverage and organizing the claim in a way that puts the evidence—and the pressure—exactly where it belongs.
How the Fault Conversation Gets Twisted
When a commercial truck is involved, the company rarely accepts responsibility without a fight. Instead, they work to shift the focus—to the driver, the conditions, or the person who was hit. It might start with a statement like, “Our driver swerved to avoid someone else,” or “The vehicle was cut off.” From there, the blame can spread in any direction that reduces what they owe.
Why the Details of Your Case Can Be Used Against You
Florida’s fault system gives insurers a reason to dig for anything that weakens your claim. If a jury finds you partially responsible, your recovery is reduced. At more than 50% fault, you’re barred from collecting anything. Our Stuart truck accident attorneys push back on that strategy early—by building a clear, consistent record before the defense starts twisting it.
Delays in treatment, missing documentation, or an offhand comment to an insurance adjuster can all be used to reshape the facts. We help make sure the evidence speaks for itself—so the defense doesn’t get to rewrite what happened.
Why Choose Lesser, Landy, Smith & Siegel, PLLC?
- Nearly a Century of Service
Founded in 1927, the firm has spent nearly 100 years representing injured clients with focus and consistency.
- A Family Firm With Deep Roots
Now in its third generation, the firm carries forward a reputation built on trust, outcomes, and long-term relationships.
- Hundreds of Years of Combined Experience
The attorneys at Lesser, Landy, Smith & Siegel have handled serious injury cases across Florida for decades. Together, they bring more than 300 years of combined experience handling truck accident cases under Florida personal injury law.
- Local Knowledge That Makes a Difference
With offices in Stuart and across South Florida, the firm has handled truck accident cases throughout Martin County, including crashes on I-95, US-1, and State Road 714—roads where freight traffic and local vehicles regularly collide.
- Direct Access to Your Attorney
Truck accident victims work directly with the lawyer handling the case. No call centers. No layers of middle staff. Just answers from someone who knows what’s going on.
- Results That Reflect Real Work
The firm has recovered meaningful compensation for clients facing long recoveries, permanent injuries, and serious financial loss after a truck crash.
- A Reputation Built on Referrals
Most of the firm’s cases come from past clients, other attorneys, or professionals in the community who trust how the work is done.
Lesser, Landy, Smith & Siegel Will Fight For You
You don’t have to figure this out alone—or guess at what to do next while the trucking company builds its defense. If you’ve been injured in a commercial truck crash in Stuart, call Lesser, Landy, Smith & Siegel at (772) 283-6839. Our Florida truck accident lawyers will answer your questions, explain your options, and help you protect your case while you focus on getting your life back on track.
