Florida Speeding and Reckless Driving Truck Accident Lawyer

When a commercial truck is moving too fast, the damage is rarely minor. Speed reduces reaction time, increases stopping distance, and makes any mistake more violent. Nationwide, speeding is consistently tied to a major share of fatal crashes, and in 2023 it was a contributing factor in 29% of traffic fatalities. (NHTSA) If you were hurt in a truck crash caused by speeding, aggressive driving, or reckless behavior, Dennis Hernandez Injury Attorneys can help you take control of what happens next. We build cases that focus on proof, accountability, and full compensation. We fight to get you paid!

Call 855-529-3366 for a free consultation.

How can a Florida speeding and reckless driving truck accident lawyer help after a crash?

Truck accident cases can move incredibly fast in the first days and weeks after a crash, and critical evidence has a way of “disappearing” if it isn’t preserved immediately. That’s why an experienced lawyer’s job is to step in early, put the right legal pressure in place, secure key records, and make sure the trucking company and its insurance carriers don’t get to shape the narrative before the facts are fully uncovered.

Here’s what our team prioritizes right away to protect your claim and strengthen your case:

• Preserving and protecting evidence, including driver logs, electronic onboard data, dash cam or surveillance footage, inspection and maintenance records, and other time-sensitive documents
• Identifying every potentially responsible party, not just the driver, but also the trucking company, a broker or shipper, a maintenance provider, or any contractor who played a role
• Documenting the complete impact of your injuries, from immediate medical treatment to long-term consequences, lost earning capacity, and future care or rehabilitation needs
• Taking over communications with insurers, including recorded statement requests, settlement outreach, and any pressure tactics designed to push you into an early low offer
• Building the case as if it will go to trial from day one, so you’re prepared for litigation even if the claim ultimately resolves through settlement

Dennis Hernandez Injury Attorneys has recovered millions and millions for injured clients and families. If you’re up against a trucking company and its insurers, you deserve a legal team that can level the playing field, so you don’t have to take them on alone.

What counts as speeding or reckless driving in a Florida truck accident case?

Speeding is not only “above the posted limit.” Florida law also requires drivers to slow down for real-world hazards like curves, intersections, narrow roadways, pedestrians, weather, and traffic conditions. (The Florida Senate)

Reckless driving is more serious than a simple mistake. Florida’s reckless driving law focuses on willful or wanton disregard for safety. (Florida.Public.Law) A truck driver weaving at high speed, tailgating, running lights, or making aggressive lane changes can cross that line quickly, especially in a commercial vehicle.

Federal safety rules also matter in truck cases. For example, commercial drivers must use extreme caution in hazardous conditions, and speed must be reduced when visibility or traction is affected. (Legal Information Institute)

Finally, Florida also recognizes “careless driving,” which is broadly defined as failing to drive in a careful and prudent manner under the circumstances. (The Florida Senate) In many civil injury cases, the key question is whether the truck driver (and the company behind them) acted unreasonably, given the risk their truck created.

What kinds of truck crashes are commonly caused by speeding and aggressive driving?

Speeding and aggressive driving often lead to highly predictable truck crash patterns, largely because commercial trucks require significant time, distance, and room to slow down, maneuver safely, and come to a complete stop. When those limits are ignored, certain types of collisions show up again and again, rear-end impacts, jackknife wrecks, rollover crashes, intersection collisions, sideswipes during lane changes, and devastating head-on crashes.

Just as importantly, these wrecks frequently escalate into multi-vehicle events. A fast-moving truck may strike one car, shove it into a neighboring lane, and set off a chain reaction involving multiple drivers who have little time to react. If the truck is heavily loaded, the added weight can dramatically increase the force of impact, turning an already serious crash into a catastrophic one.

Our Clients Value Our Commitment

We deliver results by showing genuine care, understanding, and unwavering resolve. Our dedication to our clients is clear in how we return calls day or night, meet with them during hospital stays, and fight tirelessly for the compensation they truly deserve, along with many other actions. Below are a few examples of unsolicited testimonials we’ve received from clients across the Tampa area:

What injuries are common in speeding and reckless truck crashes?

Because of the sheer size and weight difference between a tractor-trailer and a passenger vehicle, crashes involving commercial trucks are often devastating and life-changing. The impact forces are significantly greater, which is why injuries in these collisions tend to be more severe and more complicated to treat. Common injuries include traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, broken bones and complex fractures, internal bleeding or organ damage, burns, severe lacerations, and, in the worst cases, fatal injuries that leave families coping with sudden loss.

Even when someone seems to “walk away” from a crash, symptoms can appear hours or even days later. Neck and back injuries, concussions, whiplash, and soft-tissue damage are frequently underestimated during the first 24 to 72 hours, especially when adrenaline masks pain. Getting evaluated promptly can help identify hidden injuries and support a safer recovery.

Who can be held responsible for a speeding or reckless truck accident in Florida?

Liability is rarely limited to one person. Depending on the facts, a claim mack driver

• The trucking company (motor carrier)
• The owner of the tractor or trailer (if different)
• A maintenance or repair provider
• A shipper or loader (cargo shifts and overload issues)
• Another driver who triggered the dangerous situation

Federal regulations can also help show company-level fault. Motor carriers are not allowed to schedule or require runs that effectively demand speeding to meet a delivery window. (eCFR) And commercial vehicles must follow the laws of the jurisdiction they are operating in, plus any higher federal safety standards that apply. (eCFR)

In many cases, the most important question is not just “Was the driver speeding?”, it is “What did the company do that made speeding likely?” That can include unrealistic dispatch expectations, weak supervision, poor training, or turning a blind eye to prior violations.

What evidence helps prove speeding or reckless driving in a truck case?

Trucking cases are highly evidence-driven, and the strongest claims are usually built by assembling multiple, independent proof sources that corroborate each other. Instead of relying on a single narrative, effective investigations layer digital records, compliance paperwork, and real-world observations to show what happened, when it happened, and why it happened. Common sources include:

• Electronic data from the truck (often capturing speed-related events, braking, and other vehicle activity leading up to a crash)
• Driver records of duty status, which carriers are required to have drivers maintain (eCFR)
• Electronic logging device compliance and related documentation, including policies, audits, and supporting logs (fmcsa.dot.gov)
• Dispatch records, delivery windows, route plans, and communications (often used to identify scheduling pressure, unrealistic deadlines, or conflicting instructions)
• Dash cam footage or third-party video (from nearby vehicles, businesses, or traffic cameras)
• Police crash reports, witness statements, photographs, and scene measurements (to document positions, distances, and conditions)

The earlier the investigation begins, the better the chance of preserving time-sensitive evidence, especially electronic data and video that can be overwritten, lost, or routine-purged. Fast action also helps secure records before they become harder to obtain, ensuring the available proof reflects what really occurred.

What compensation can a Florida truck accident claim include?

A trucking crash can affect every part of your life, so the claim should reflect that reality. Compensation can include:

• Past and future medical expenses
• Lost income and reduced earning capacity
• Pain and suffering, mental distress, and loss of enjoyment of life
• Disability, impairment, and disfigurement
• Property loss and out-of-pocket expenses
• Wrongful death damages when a family loses a loved one

Florida’s comparative fault rules also matter. In many negligence cases, a person found more than 50% at fault cannot recover damages. (The Florida Senate) That is one reason trucking insurers work hard to shift blame early, before evidence is fully gathered.

In especially extreme cases, punitive damages may be a possibility, but Florida requires a specific evidentiary showing before punitive damages can even be pleaded. (Florida House of Representatives) Florida law also places limits on punitive damage awards in many situations. (Florida Legislature)

How long do you have to file a Florida truck accident lawsuit?

Deadlines matter, and waiting can seriously limit your options. Under Florida law, an action founded on negligence generally must be filed within two years. (Florida Legislature) Wrongful death actions are also subject to strict time limits that can bar a claim if you miss the window. (Florida Legislature)

Even if two years sounds like plenty of time, the practical deadline is often much sooner. Evidence can disappear fast, surveillance footage may be overwritten, witnesses can become harder to locate, and accident scenes change. Taking action early helps preserve key proof and protects your ability to pursue a claim.

Do you need a Florida speeding and reckless driving truck accident lawyer near me?

If you’re searching for a “truck accident lawyer near me,” you don’t have to wait until you’re able to travel or feel strong enough to come into an office. Dennis Hernandez Injury Attorneys can get your case moving right away by phone or secure video consultation, so you can start protecting your rights from wherever you are. Our team can help coordinate medical care, gather key documentation, communicate with providers, and outline clear next steps, all while you stay focused on rest and recovery.

Call 855-529-3366 to speak with a team that treats trucking crashes with the urgency they deserve. We take on the insurance companies and fight for the compensation you need for medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering. We fight to get you paid

Speeding and Reckless Driving Truck Accident FAQs

Recommended Reading

• Florida Statutes §627.736 – Personal Injury Protection (PIP)
• Florida Statutes §627.737 – Serious injury threshold
• Florida Statutes §768.81 – Comparative fault
• Florida Statutes §95.11 – Statute of limitations
• Florida Statutes §316.066 – Traffic crash reports
• Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles Crash Statistics
• What Are the Biggest Claim-Killers After an Injury in Fort Myers?
• Which Insurance Applies If You Have an Out-of-State Policy and Are Involved in a Crash in Florida?

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