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Florida Truck Accident Lawyer

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Despite continuous improvements in safety technology and driver training programs, the number of truck accidents and fatalities keeps growing year after year. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration reported that 10,542 injury-related truck crashes occurred during 2024.

Large truck collisions lead to severe consequences, which prove unfortunate for victims involved in these accidents. A commercial truck reaches weights of 25 times beyond standard vehicles and has restricted maneuverability like smaller cars. The collision between massive trucks and cars produces outcomes that lead to serious life-changing or fatal injuries.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident, you have the right to seek financial compensation. After a crash, many individuals look for the best truck accident attorney nearby to obtain legal assistance promptly. Consulting with an experienced Florida truck accident lawyer can help clarify your options.

At Dennis Hernandez Injury Attorneys, we have successfully assisted many Florida clients in obtaining their due compensation following tragic truck accidents. We wish to listen to your narrative while aggressively pursuing both your legal rights and monetary compensation.

What Should You Do Right After a Truck Crash?

Call 911 and ask for medical help and a police response. Even if you feel okay, get checked the same day, because symptoms can be delayed. If you can do it safely, take photos of vehicle damage, plates, and trucking company markings.

Get witness names and phone numbers, because their accounts can become critical later. Limit what you say at the scene, and avoid apologizing or guessing about fault. Also avoid giving a recorded statement to an insurance adjuster without legal guidance.

Keep every document you receive, including medical notes, claim letters, and repair estimates. Small details can matter later, especially when the other side disputes how the crash happened.

Why Are Truck Accident Cases Different From Car Crashes?

Truck cases usually have more moving parts than a typical crash claim. Besides the driver, there may be a carrier, broker, maintenance contractor, or cargo loader. Each party may have its own insurer, defense team, and version of events.

The evidence is also different, and it can be time sensitive. Logs can be overwritten, video can be deleted, and vehicles can be repaired quickly. Early preservation requests and a fast investigation often make the difference.

Commercial insurers also respond aggressively after serious crashes. They may send investigators right away, and they often look for ways to shift blame. A strong claim usually comes from organized proof, not just a good story.

Severe semi truck crash with a crushed cab and debris scattered across the roadway.

Our Clients Feel Our Commitment

We achieve outcomes by demonstrating compassion, empathy, and dedication. Our commitment to our clients is evident as we answer their calls at any time, visit them in the hospital, and advocate fiercely for the compensation they rightfully deserve, among other efforts. Here are several examples of unsolicited testimonials we’ve received from clients in the Tampa region:

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Client Testimonials
“Everyone at Dennis Hernandez has been very helpful. Since this is my first time having to see a lawyer for a car accident, they have been so instrumental in helping me understand the whole process of my case. I would recommend anyone in this situation to come and speak with a lawyer here. Thank you all for everything!”
– Kimberly R.
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Client Testimonials
“My sister was involved in a vehicle accident during the 1st day of her work visit in 2017. While not knowing anyone in Florida and, my sister being a badly hurt, non english speaking foreigner residing in a different country without ability to be present, her case was somewhat lengthy and complex to handle. I believe choosing the law firm of Dennis Hernandez Associates P.A. over others to represent her was the right move.”
– Peter T.
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Client Testimonials
“Dennis Hernandez’s team were great, their whole staff was very helpful and patient with me after I was involved in an accident. They answered all of my questions and closed the case much quicker than I expected. This was my first time needing to hire an attorney, and I’m glad I chose them.”
– Meli H.
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Client Testimonials
“We would like to thank the office of Dennis Hernandez and associates for assisting us with our accident case. Dennis Hernandez staff could not have been any nicer. It made a tough time better and we thank everyone for their kindness and professionalism throughout the entire time. We highly recommend their services.”
– Ida K.
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Client Testimonials
“I love them. They really care about my problems after my crash. I had dropped another lawyer before going to them and they made me feel good. Their team worked hard to get me what I needed and I am grateful for that. Couldn’t be any happier. Thanks!”
– J.T.
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Client Testimonials
“I would 100% recommend this firm! Dennis Hernandez & Associates were excellent! They were extremely responsive and very informative every step of the way. They put my mind at ease during this stressful time. I couldn’t have asked for a better team! Thank you both!”
– Sara V.
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Client Testimonials
“This is an incredible team of lawyers. Dennis is brilliant and he will attack every point the defense uses against you and he will make them look silly, his trial skills are better than TV. I would be happy with any of the lawyers separately, any day, any case, but together they are unstoppable. If you are hurt call Dennis Hernandez and his Associates, listen to what they say, believe in their methods and they will take care of your case. If it goes to trial, they will be the best you can find. I know, because they just won my case in a huge way.”
– Michael W.

Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Florida

A wide range of factors contributes to truck collisions such as how drivers behave and the condition of vehicles and environmental conditions. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) identifies brake failure and roadway hazards and driver fatigue and excessive speed and traffic flow interruptions and driver unfamiliarity with the area as primary causes of truck crashes.

Additional leading causes include:

Drowsy Driving

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration sets limits on truck driver operating time and requires scheduled breaks for drivers. Fatigue among truck drivers stands as the leading reason for all trucking accidents throughout the United States. The U.S. Department of Transportation shows that fatigue leads to driver-at-fault crashes in 87% of all incidents. Operating vehicles beyond the established time limits leads to substantially increased risks of accidents.

Distracted Driving

Truck drivers who take their attention away from the road create an extensive risk to highway safety. The federal ban on texting while driving does not stop certain truckers from continuing this practice with handheld devices. Research conducted by FMCSA shows that drivers who briefly look down to read texts can travel the length of a football field without watching the road. The safety risks grow even worse when drivers use dispatch devices or consult GPS maps. After a distracted driving crash, many injured people search truck accident lawyer near me to understand their legal options.

Maintenance Failures

The state and federal governments enforce strict regulations that require scheduled inspections and maintenance procedures before every trip. Accidents of severe magnitude can result from disregarding or hurrying through these protocols. Tire blowouts, together with faulty brakes and improperly secured or overloaded trailers, represent common maintenance-related factors.

After a Truck Accident, It Becomes Important to Determine Who Should Be Held Responsible

A standard car accident case does not compare to the complex nature of truck crash litigation since multiple entities may share liability. Your ability to obtain compensation depends on identifying all responsible parties that including:

  • The truck driver
  • The trucking company
  • The cargo owner
  • The truck manufacturer
  • A maintenance provider

An experienced truck accident attorney will carefully investigate the crash to identify every responsible party. When you search truck accident lawyer near me, you want someone who will maximize your compensation.

Who Can Be Held Responsible for a Truck Crash?

Liability depends on what caused the crash and who controlled the risk. In many cases, the driver is only one part of the responsibility picture. A full investigation looks at the entire operation and the business decisions behind it.

A trucking company can be held accountable for unsafe hiring practices, inadequate training, or poor supervision. It may also implement policies that promote speeding or neglecting breaks. The company’s safety history is significant, particularly if there have been previous violations. If you find yourself in such a situation, consulting the best truck accident attorney can be crucial for your case.

Maintenance providers can be responsible when negligent repairs create danger. Loaders can be responsible when cargo securement is improper. Brokers and contractors can be involved when they control routing or scheduling decisions.

A key goal is to identify every responsible party early. That can increase available coverage and reduce blame shifting.

A Florida Truck Accident Lawsuit Entitles Victims to Receive Several Types of Compensation

People who survive truck accidents have the right to obtain compensation for their medical expenses and rehabilitation costs and long-term care expenses and lost wages and reduced earning capacity and emotional distress and physical pain and disfigurement and permanent injury and loss of enjoyment of life.

The family members of people who died in fatal truck accidents can seek compensation for funeral expenses and loss of support and companionship through wrongful death claims.

What Evidence Matters Most in Trucking Claims?

Truck accident cases are often won with documentation, not arguments. The right records can show what happened and why it happened. They can also reveal problems the carrier would rather keep private.

  • Electronic logging data can show driving time, rest time, and suspicious edits.
  • Driver qualification files can reveal training gaps and safety history
  • Maintenance and inspection records can show repeated defects and delayed repairs
  • Dispatch communications can show time pressure and unrealistic delivery windows.
  • Onboard event data can show speed and braking, depending on the system.
  • Dashcams, nearby business video, and traffic footage can also change a case.

Your lawyer should move quickly to preserve these materials. Once records are lost, proving knowledge and causation becomes harder.

Why You Need an Experienced Truck Accident Attorney in Florida

The legal team at Dennis Hernandez Injury Attorneys fights to protect Floridian victims who experience truck accidents. Our legal team will support you from beginning to end through evidence collection and claim filing and insurer negotiation and trial representation when necessary.

Many law firms push quick settlements. When you search truck accident lawyer near me, our reputation reflects a relentless pursuit of fair compensation. Our legal team stays ready for trial whenever necessary.

What Injuries and Damages Are Common After Truck Collisions?

Truck impacts often involve extreme force, which is why injuries can be life altering. Many people face long recoveries, multiple procedures, and major time away from work. A careful medical plan also helps document what your case is worth. Head injuries range from concussions to traumatic brain injuries with lasting symptoms. Spinal injuries can include disc damage, nerve pain, or permanent impairment. Fractures, internal injuries, and soft tissue trauma are also common.

Burn injuries may occur in severe wrecks involving fuel or fires. Psychological injuries can also be real, including anxiety, sleep disruption, and PTSD symptoms. The law can recognize these harms when treatment supports them.

Damaged semi truck at the scene of a highway crash, with a police vehicle and emergency lights nearby.

How Long Do You Have to File a Truck Accident Lawsuit in Florida?

Deadlines matter, and waiting can quietly damage a strong case. For many negligence claims accruing on or after March 24, 2023, the deadline is two years. HB 837 lists an effective date of March 24, 2023.

Evidence problems often happen long before any deadline arrives. A lawyer can send preservation notices early and start gathering records right away. That step can protect proof and reduce disputes later.

What if You Were Partly at Fault for the Crash?

Fault can be shared, and insurers often try to push blame onto injured people. For most cases accruing on or after March 24, 2023, recovery can be barred above 50 percent fault. When it applies, the rule can turn small disputes into case killers.

That is why early evidence matters so much in truck cases. Objective proof, like logs, video, and witness statements, can counter unfair blame arguments.

Are you searching for a “Truck Accident Lawyer Near Me”? We’re Florida’s Trusted Legal Team

If you have been in a truck accident, Dennis Hernandez Injury Attorneys provides the legal support you need. Our team has extensive experience, valuable resources, and a history of successful results. Our firm proudly serves clients across Florida.

If you are looking for:

  • “Truck accident attorney”
  • “18-wheeler crash lawyer”
  • “Best truck accident lawyer in Florida”
  • “Big rig wreck attorney”

Your search concludes here.

Act Promptly – Understanding the Importance of Timing

Following a truck accident, the trucking company swiftly deploys its legal representatives and insurance agents to safeguard their interests. You must take similar action. Critical evidence can quickly disappear within the first few days after an incident. This includes data from black boxes, driver logs, and photographs taken at the accident scene.

Let our team:

  1. Secure and preserve critical evidence
  2. Hold negligent parties accountable
  3. Pursue full compensation for medical costs, lost income, and long-term care

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

A serious truck accident can disrupt every part of your life. Medical care, income concerns, and insurance pressure often arrive all at once. It is normal to have questions. Below are clear answers to some of the most common concerns we hear from truck accident victims.

Can I recover compensation if I was partly at fault for a truck accident?

In many cases, yes. Florida follows a modified comparative negligence system. This means you may still recover compensation if you are partially responsible, as long as your share of fault does not exceed 50 percent.

Your recovery is reduced based on your percentage of responsibility. For example, if you are found 25 percent at fault, your total compensation would be reduced by 25 percent. If your fault reaches 51 percent or more, recovery is barred under current Florida law.

Insurance companies often exaggerate fault early. Their goal is to limit or eliminate payouts. That is why an independent investigation matters. Fault determinations are not final just because an insurer or officer says so.

What if the police report or insurance company says I was at fault?

An initial finding of fault does not end your claim. Police reports and insurance assessments are starting points, not final decisions. They are often made quickly and without access to all evidence. Truck accident cases require deeper investigation. This includes reviewing truck data, company safety records, maintenance history, and federal trucking regulations. Many factors may never appear in a police report. Even if you received a traffic citation, that does not automatically prove liability in a civil injury case. Traffic tickets are not fault verdicts. They can often be challenged or explained within the broader context of the crash. Large trucking companies and insurers may use early fault claims to pressure victims. We focus on uncovering what actually happened and protecting your right to pursue compensation.

How much does it cost to hire a truck accident attorney?

There are no upfront or out of pocket costs to hire Dennis Hernandez Injury Attorneys for a truck accident case. We work on a contingency fee basis. That means our fee is a percentage of the recovery, only if we secure compensation for you. If there is no recovery, you owe no attorney’s fees. This structure allows injured individuals to pursue justice without financial risk. It also aligns our interests with yours. We are paid only when results are delivered.

Why are truck accident cases more complex than car accidents?

Truck accident claims involve higher stakes and more layers of responsibility. Commercial trucks are governed by strict safety regulations. Violations of these rules can play a major role in liability. Unlike car crashes, truck accidents may involve multiple responsible parties. These can include the driver, trucking company, trailer owner, cargo loader, maintenance provider, or broker.

Truck cases also involve unique evidence. This may include electronic logging device data, black box information, dispatch records, and driver qualification files. Much of this evidence can disappear quickly if not preserved. Because injuries are often severe, insurers fight harder. Strong preparation and experience matter in these cases.

What injuries are common in truck accident cases?

Injuries from truck accidents are often more serious due to the size and weight of commercial vehicles. The force involved can affect multiple body systems at once. Common injuries include traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, paralysis, internal organ injuries, severe fractures, and amputations. Burn injuries may occur when collisions lead to fires or fuel explosions. Certain crash types carry specific risks. Underride crashes can cause devastating head and neck injuries. Rollover crashes can result in crushing injuries. Rear end truck collisions often cause chain reaction impacts.

Many victims suffer more than one serious injury. Treatment can be complex and long term. Recovery may involve surgery, rehabilitation, and permanent limitations.

What if my injuries do not seem serious at first?

Some truck accident injuries worsen over time. Head injuries, spinal damage, and internal trauma may not show full symptoms immediately. Delayed diagnosis is common. Insurance companies may use early gaps in treatment to question injury severity. That is why medical evaluation and documentation matter from the start. Even if symptoms appear manageable at first, long term impacts should be evaluated. Future medical needs and work limitations must be considered in any settlement discussion.

Will my truck accident case go to trial?

Many truck accident cases resolve before trial. However, trial readiness plays a major role in achieving fair outcomes.

Insurance companies assess whether a firm is prepared to litigate. Strong preparation increases leverage during negotiations. It also discourages low settlement offers.

If trial becomes necessary, the case is already built with that goal in mind. Preparation is not wasted. It strengthens every phase of the process.

What is the overall goal of a truck accident claim?

The goal is not unnecessary conflict. The goal is accountability and fair compensation. Truck accidents often cause life changing harm.

Dennis Hernandez Injury Attorneys focuses on protecting evidence, identifying every responsible party, and documenting the full impact of your injuries. We have recovered millions and millions for injured clients. When trucking companies or insurers refuse to act fairly, we are prepared to take the next step. We fight to get you paid!

Steps to Take After a Truck Crash

People who experience trucking accidents must take the following actions:

  1. Seek immediate medical attention
  2. Photograph the accident scene
  3. Avoid speaking with insurance adjusters
  4. Contact a truck accident attorney right away
  5. The current choices you make determine both your recovery and your future trajectory.

Our Firm Handles More Than Just Trucking Cases

The law firm represents victims who suffered injuries from:

  1. Car accidents
  2. Motorcycle wrecks
  3. Bicycle and pedestrian collisions
  4. Crosswalk accidents

And other serious injury cases. Our law firm stands ready to defend any client who has suffered harm, regardless of the incident type.

Proven Results for Florida Injury Victims. We have obtained millions in settlements for clients who suffered injuries from:

  • Truck accidents
  • Car and motorcycle crashes
  • Pedestrian injuries

The firm operates on a contingency fee system because clients only need to pay if we succeed in their case.

Contact Dennis Hernandez Injury Attorneys Today

Let Dennis Hernandez Injury Attorneys help you move forward

Our Florida truck accident attorneys provide free consultations to anyone who needs assistance after a truck crash that resulted in injury to themselves or their loved ones. We’re ready to fight for your future.

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Get Help From Trusted Truck Accident Lawyers

At Dennis Hernandez Injury Attorneys, we help people seriously injured in truck accidents seek full compensation. Our legal team understands how complex truck crash claims can be, and we are ready to protect your rights every step of the way. We fight to get you paid!

Call 855•529•3366 today or reach out online to schedule your free, no obligation case evaluation. You pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.

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