Commercial Vehicles

Accidents involving commercial vehicles are among the most serious on Florida roads. Most commercial vehicles are large, such as semi-trucks and tractor-trailers, and they are responsible for a disproportionate amount of traffic fatalities in Florida and elsewhere in the country as freight on roadways reaches an all-time high. More than 70% of fatalities in collisions with large trucks are in the other vehicle, such as a passenger vehicle, rather than the truck driver.

If you have been injured in an accident with a commercial vehicle, such as a moving truck, passenger bus, or semi-truck, it’s important to protect your legal rights. An experienced commercial vehicle accident attorney can help you build your claim to fight for the compensation you deserve.

Liability in Commercial Vehicle Accidents

Accidents involving commercial vehicles can be complex as liability may fall on one or more parties:

• The driver of the commercial vehicle who may be a contractor or employee of a business
• The driver of the passenger vehicle or another vehicle involved in the accident
• The company that owns the vehicle
• A trucking company that may be a contractor to a larger company
• A third party such as a maintenance company responsible for maintaining the vehicle’s condition

Every party that is potentially liable will have different insurance coverage. Because so many parties may share some liability in a commercial vehicle accident — and there are potentially many insurance companies involved seeking to limit a settlement — it’s important to seek experienced legal counsel as soon as possible to protect your rights.

What Makes Commercial Vehicle Accident Cases Different?

Commercial vehicle accident cases differ from typical traffic accident cases in many ways. These accidents often involve very large commercial vehicles, for example, and drivers or companies that may not be based in Florida. Injuries in these cases also tend to be more serious than injuries in accidents involving only passenger vehicles.

• Larger insurance policies. As a general rule, commercial vehicle drivers are typically covered by larger commercial insurance policies. Because insurance companies may be liable for millions in damages, they will fight harder to prove they are not liable.
• More serious injuries. Accidents with commercial trucks and buses are often very serious and they are more likely to lead to life-changing, catastrophic, or fatal injuries. These accidents can result in traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, amputation, and other injuries that can change your life forever.
• Higher medical bills. Victims of commercial vehicle accidents may face millions in medical bills, not only for an initial hospital stay and treatment but potentially long-term medical care in the form of surgeries, home adaptations, and home health workers.
• Many parties may share liability. A commercial vehicle accident can be complicated when it comes to liability; it isn’t just the drivers involved in the accident who may be at fault.