Trusted truck accident attorneys with over 10 years of experience.
The Andres Lopez Law Firm has represented truck accident victims across South Florida for more than a decade. Our Parkland, FL truck accident lawyer understands the federal regulations that govern the trucking industry, the multiple layers of insurance that apply to commercial vehicle crashes, and the aggressive tactics that trucking companies and their insurers use to minimize their exposure after a serious collision. We speak Spanish, work on contingency, and offer free consultations.
Truck Accident Lawyer Parkland, FL
Why is a truck accident case so different from a regular car crash claim?
Trucking accidents involve a web of liability that does not exist in ordinary auto collisions. The driver may have been fatigued, distracted, or improperly trained. The trucking company may have pushed the driver past federally mandated hours-of-service limits or failed to maintain the vehicle. The cargo loading crew may have overloaded the trailer or secured the freight incorrectly. And the truck or parts manufacturer may bear responsibility if a mechanical failure contributed to the crash. Each of these parties has its own insurer and its own legal team, all working to shift blame away from their client.
A truck accident attorney in Parkland, FL knows where to look for evidence that a general personal injury firm might not think to request, and we move quickly to preserve that evidence before the carrier can alter or destroy it. Federal regulations from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration set the safety standards that truck drivers and their employers must follow, and documented violations of those standards become powerful proof of negligence in a lawsuit.
Types of Truck Accident Cases We Handle in Parkland
Commercial vehicle crashes take many forms, and the legal strategy depends on how the accident occurred and which parties bear responsibility. Our firm handles the following types of truck accident claims for Parkland residents.
- 18-wheeler collisions. Fully loaded semis can weigh 80,000 pounds, and their stopping distance at highway speeds is enormous. When these vehicles rear-end smaller cars or jackknife across lanes, the result is frequently catastrophic injury or death.
- Delivery truck accidents. The growth of e-commerce has put more delivery vehicles on residential streets in Parkland, and drivers on tight schedules sometimes cut corners on safety, leading to collisions in neighborhoods and shopping center parking lots.
- Tanker truck crashes. Tankers carrying fuel, chemicals, or other hazardous materials create risks beyond the initial impact, because spills and fires can cause burns and toxic exposure injuries that compound the harm from the collision.
- Car accidents. Occupants of passenger vehicles hit by commercial trucks suffer the worst injuries, and we represent those victims aggressively against the trucking company and its insurer.
- Motorcycle accidents. Riders and cyclists who collide with commercial vehicles face almost certain catastrophic injury because they have no structural protection from the force of impact.
- Pedestrian accidents. Large vehicle blind spots make it difficult for truck drivers to see pedestrians at intersections and in parking areas, and the consequences when a pedestrian is hit by a truck are devastating.
- Wrongful death. When a truck accident kills someone, surviving family members may file a wrongful death claim against the responsible parties, and these cases require both legal skill and compassion.
- Fatigue-related crashes. Federal hours-of-service rules exist because drowsy driving among truckers is a well-documented cause of serious accidents, and electronic logging devices create a record of compliance that we use to prove violations.
- Overloaded or improperly loaded trucks. Cargo that shifts during transit affects vehicle stability and can cause a truck to roll over, jackknife, or shed debris across the roadway, creating hazards for everyone nearby.
Why Choose The Andres Lopez Law Firm for Truck Accident Cases in Parkland, FL?
Aggressive Representation Against Trucking Companies
Trucking companies and their insurers send investigators to the crash scene, download data from the truck’s black box, and begin building a defense before the victim has even been discharged from the hospital. You need an attorney who responds with equal urgency.
Andres Lopez founded The Andres Lopez Law Firm and has been practicing personal injury law in Florida since 2009, with over 10 years of experience handling truck accident claims and other complex injury cases. He earned his law degree at the University of Maryland School of Law and is admitted in Florida, Maryland, the Southern District of Florida, the Middle District of Florida, and the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals. His membership in the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and recognition as a Florida Rising Star in 2015 and 2016 reflect a track record of significant case results.
Our firm has helped clients recover millions of dollars across personal injury and wrongful death matters, and we handle every truck accident case on contingency. If you need a personal injury lawyer in Parkland, FL who is prepared to take on a trucking company, contact us for a free consultation.
Truck Accident Case Overview
Damages, Liability, and Compensation for Truck Accident Cases
Because truck crashes produce more severe injuries, the damages in these cases tend to be substantially higher than in standard auto collision claims. Compensation in a Parkland truck accident case may include past and future medical expenses covering surgeries, rehabilitation, and long-term care; lost income and permanently reduced earning capacity; pain, suffering, emotional anguish, and loss of quality of life; and property damage to your vehicle.
Liability can extend to multiple parties simultaneously. The truck driver may be at fault for speeding, distraction, or impairment. The trucking company may be liable for negligent hiring, inadequate training, pressure to violate safety regulations, or failure to maintain the vehicle. Cargo loading companies face claims when improperly secured freight contributed to the wreck, and manufacturers may be responsible when mechanical failures played a role.
Florida’s modified comparative negligence law under Fla. Stat. § 768.81 applies to truck accident cases. If you are found more than 50 percent at fault, you cannot recover, and if your share of fault is 50 percent or less, your award is reduced proportionally.
Important Aspects in Your Truck Accident Case
Truck accident claims involve types of evidence that do not exist in typical car wrecks, and acting quickly to preserve that evidence can determine the outcome of your case. Electronic logging device data records the driver’s hours and rest periods but can be overwritten if not preserved promptly through a spoliation letter. The truck’s event data recorder captures speed, braking, and other data from moments before impact. Maintenance records and inspection logs reveal whether the trucking company kept the vehicle in safe operating condition, and the driver qualification file maintained by the carrier includes drug testing history, training records, and prior safety violations. All of this evidence sits in the trucking company’s possession, and without early legal intervention, critical records may be lost before you ever have a chance to review them.
Truck Accident Case Timeline
Truck accident cases generally take longer to resolve than standard car crash claims because of the number of parties involved and the volume of evidence that needs to be collected. Within days of the crash, your attorney should send preservation letters to the trucking company. Over the first one to three months, the investigation unfolds while you focus on treatment. Once your condition stabilizes, the full scope of damages is calculated and a demand is presented to the insurer. If no fair offer is made, a lawsuit is filed within the two-year statute of limitations. According to NHTSA crash data, large trucks are involved in thousands of fatal crashes nationally each year, which underscores the seriousness of these claims.
What to Bring to Your Truck Accident Consultation
Bring the police report or crash report number, any photos or videos from the accident scene including images of the truck and any visible company markings, medical records and bills, insurance information for your vehicle, and witness contact details. Your consultation is free and carries no obligation.
Florida Legal Resources for Truck Accident Cases
Truck accident cases are governed by both state and federal law, and the following resources provide relevant information.
- The FMCSA enforces federal trucking safety regulations including hours-of-service rules and vehicle maintenance standards
- The Florida Legislature publishes the state’s negligence, comparative fault, and motor vehicle statutes
- NHTSA tracks commercial vehicle crash data and publishes safety research
- The Broward County Clerk of Courts provides access to civil court records
- The Florida DHSMV maintains commercial driver information and crash reports
Reach Out to The Andres Lopez Law Firm to Schedule a Consultation
A truck accident in Parkland can leave you with serious injuries, overwhelming bills, and uncertainty about your family’s financial future. The Andres Lopez Law Firm represents truck accident victims on contingency. Contact a Parkland truck accident attorney at our firm today for a free case evaluation.