Fort Lauderdale Truck Accident Lawyer

Commercial trucks dominate Fort Lauderdale highways and interstates. When one of those massive rigs causes a crash, the aftermath is not like a regular car accident. Trucking companies have teams of lawyers and investigators working to protect their interests before you even leave the hospital. If you were hit by a truck, you need attorneys who move just as fast and fight just as hard.

At The Bald Injury Lawyers, we handle truck accident cases throughout Fort Lauderdale and Broward County. As former insurance defense attorneys we know how trucking companies and their insurers fight to minimize payouts. Critical evidence in truck crashes—like black box data, logbooks, and surveillance footage—can vanish quickly if no one takes immediate legal action to preserve it. We work from day one to secure that evidence and hold liable parties accountable.

What Should I Do First After a Fort Lauderdale Semi-Truck Accident?

Crash scene investigators and police will document the accident, photograph the scene, measure skid marks, and gather evidence. Your priority is safety, medical care, and protecting your legal rights. It is not playing detective while you are injured.

In the aftermath of a truck crash, these first steps are crucial:

• Check Yourself and Others for Injuries: Assess whether you or your passengers need immediate medical attention. Some injuries like internal bleeding, brain trauma, or spinal damage may not show obvious symptoms right away.
• Call 911 to Get Police and Medical Teams to the Scene: Always call 911 after a truck accident. Police will create an official crash report, and paramedics will evaluate injuries. This documentation becomes critical evidence for your claim.
• Accept an Ambulance Ride or Seek Immediate Emergency Care: Don’t refuse treatment at the scene and go to the emergency room without delay – whether by ambulance or other means. Delaying medical treatment allows insurance adjusters to argue your injuries were minor or unrelated to the crash.
• Contact a Lawyer Without Delay: Once doctors have assessed and stabilized your condition, call us. Evidence in truck accident cases disappears fast. We preserve critical data, investigate liability, and protect your rights while you focus on recovery.

Truck accidents are not something most people plan for, but being prepared makes a difference. Having a trusted injury lawyer on speed dial means you can act quickly when it matters most. Think of it as preparation for the thing you hope never happens—but if it does, you are ready.

How Much Is My Truck Accident Claim Worth in Fort Lauderdale?

Once we determine you have a case, there are multiple factors we look at to determine how much it is worth. The value depends largely on the severity of your injuries and how they impact your ability to work and provide for your family. But we also assess the value of your past and future medical expenses, lost income and earning capacity, and whether you face permanent disability or disfigurement. We evaluate every factor and fight for maximum recovery.

Why Truck Accident Claims Are Often Worth More

Generally, truck accident claims are typically worth more than standard car accident cases because the injuries are often catastrophic and life-altering. Commercial trucking policies carry much higher liability limits than personal auto insurance—frequently $1 million or more. This is important if you have extensive injuries because it means significantly more compensation may be available.

Does Florida Cap Damages for Truck Accident Injury Cases?

Florida does not cap economic damages (medical bills, lost wages) or non-economic damages (pain and suffering) in most personal injury cases, including truck accidents.

However, Florida does cap punitive damages at 3 times the amount of compensatory damages or $500,000, whichever is greater (with some exceptions for intentional misconduct).

Can I File a Truck Accident Claim in Fort Lauderdale?

Yes. If a truck driver’s negligence caused your injuries, state law allows you to file a claim for compensation. Whether you were driving another vehicle, riding as a passenger, or struck while on Fort Lauderdale roads, you have the right to hold negligent parties accountable.

Truck Drivers and Their Trucking Companies Owe a Legal Duty

Truck drivers and trucking companies have a legal duty to operate their vehicles safely and follow both state and federal regulations. When they violate their legal duty and you get hurt, we fight to recover what you are owed.

The Burden of Proof Falls on Injured Victims

Florida law places the burden of proving negligence on injury victims, but that does not mean you need to handle it alone. In fact, we do not recommend trying to file a lawsuit on your own as it puts you at a significant disadvantage, especially when you are up against the legal team defending the trucking company.

Let Us Manage Your Truck Crash Case

When you hire our Fort Lauderdale truck accident law firm, we can do the legal heavy lifting for you to gather the evidence, investigate every liable party, and build the strongest case possible while you focus on your recovery.

Why Hiring a Lawyer for Your Truck Accident Claim Is Critical

Trucking companies and their insurers have massive resources, including legal teams working to deny or minimize your claim from the moment the crash happens. Going up against them alone while recovering from catastrophic injuries puts you at a severe disadvantage.

Trucking Companies Act Fast to Protect Their Interests

Trucking companies investigate immediately, secure their own evidence, interview witnesses, and build their defense while you are still in the hospital. They strategize how to pay you as little as possible or nothing at all. We move just as fast to protect your rights and preserve critical evidence before it disappears.

We Know How Trucking Insurers Fight Claims

As former insurance defense attorneys, we know exactly how trucking companies and their insurers operate. We know the tactics they use to shift blame, the arguments they make to deny claims, and the pressure they apply to force lowball settlements. We use that insider knowledge to anticipate their moves, counter their strategies, and fight for full compensation.

Truck Accident Cases Require Specialized Legal Knowledge

These cases involve federal regulations, electronic logging devices, hours-of-service violations, maintenance records, driver qualification files, and corporate liability issues that do not exist in regular car crashes. Navigating complex litigation against well-funded corporate defendants requires attorneys who understand commercial trucking law. We handle that complexity for you while you focus on healing.

Evidence You Need for Your Case – And How Your Attorney Can Protect and Preserve It

Truck accident cases require specific evidence you don’t need in cases involving regular passenger cars. Much of this evidence is controlled by the trucking company, which means it can get lost, be overwritten, or be destroyed if no one takes immediate legal action to preserve it. We know what evidence wins truck accident cases and how to secure it before it vanishes.

• Electronic Logging Device and Black Box Data: Records truck driver details, such as speed, braking, and hours of operation. This data proves speeding or fatigue violations, but it can be overwritten within days.
• Driver Logs and Hours-of-Service Records: Shows whether the driver violated federal rest requirements.
• Truck Maintenance and Inspection Records: Reveals mechanical defects, brake failures, or deferred maintenance that caused the crash.
• Driver Qualification Files: Contains training records, driving history, drug tests, and prior violations. Proves negligent hiring or retention of dangerous drivers.
• Surveillance Footage and Dash Cam Video: Trucks and nearby businesses have cameras that captured the crash. Available video footage may be deleted or overwritten within days to weeks.
• Cargo Loading Records: Shows whether cargo was improperly loaded or overweight, causing instability or rollovers.
• Police Reports and Witness Statements: These official reports provide objective documentation of the crash, who may be at fault, and independent witness accounts.

How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit After a Truck Accident in Fort Lauderdale?

Florida gives you two years from the date of the truck accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. Miss this deadline and you permanently lose your right to compensation, no matter how severe your injuries or how clear the trucking company’s negligence. Some cases involve shorter deadlines, especially claims against government entities if a government-owned vehicle was involved. The statute of limitations is strict and unforgiving.

Fort Lauderdale Truck Accident Lawyer FAQ

Still feeling unsure? More questions? These might help!