Miami Truck Accident Lawyers

Trucks Commonly Involved in Miami Traffic Accidents

Commercial trucks come in many shapes and sizes, and accidents can involve a variety of vehicles, including:

• Semi-trucks/18-wheelers. These massive trucks are common on highways and pose significant risks due to their size and weight.
• Delivery trucks. With the rise of e-commerce, delivery vehicles like those used by Amazon, UPS, or FedEx are frequently involved in urban accidents.
• Tankers. Carrying hazardous materials such as fuel or chemicals, tanker trucks pose additional risks if they are involved in crashes.
• Box trucks. Box trucks are often used for moving or local deliveries, which can cause severe damage in urban collisions.
• Construction vehicles. Trucks like dump trucks and cement mixers, often operating near work zones, have limited maneuverability and visibility, leading to potential accidents.

Whether on highways or local streets, these vehicles require careful handling. Larger commercial trucks take longer to stop, often have large blind spots, and require skill when turning or maneuvering on highways. 

When truck drivers and associated parties are negligent, the results can be catastrophic, such as brain injuries, spinal cord damage, loss of limbs, and other severe consequences for motorists and their passengers. 

Types of Miami Truck Accident Cases We Handle 

 Truck accidents come in various forms, each with its causes and consequences. 

We handle serious accidents, such as the following: 

• Jackknife accidents. When the trailer swings out at an angle, it can block multiple lanes of traffic and lead to multi-car collisions.
• Rollover accidents. A truck can tip over due to sharp turns, high speeds, or uneven loads, posing an immense danger to surrounding vehicles.
• Underride accidents. Underride collisions occur when a smaller vehicle slides beneath the trailer, often resulting in devastating injuries or fatalities.
• Rear-end collisions. Due to their size and slower stopping capabilities, trucks can cause severe damage when they crash into vehicles from behind.
• Wide-turn accidents. The large turning radius of trucks often leads to accidents if drivers fail to account for their blind spots.

These types of accidents often leave victims facing long roads to recovery, making it essential to seek professional help to pursue full and fair compensation in personal injury claims and lawsuits. 

Common Causes of 18-Wheeler Accidents

Commercial trucking companies are held to high safety standards, yet violations are common. Many 18-wheeler accidents occur because of:

• Driver Fatigue: Truck drivers often work long hours. Even with federal limits on driving time, fatigue remains one of the leading causes of truck accidents.
• Distracted Driving: Texting, navigation systems, dispatch devices, or eating while driving all increase the risk of a crash.
• Speeding & Aggressive Driving: Because trucking companies often impose strict delivery deadlines, some drivers speed, follow too closely, or engage in unsafe driving behavior.
• Improper Cargo Loading: Overloaded or imbalanced cargo can cause rollovers, jackknifes, and loss of control.
• Mechanical Failures: Faulty brakes, worn tires, and lack of maintenance can all lead to major highway accidents.
• Driving Under the Influence: Alcohol or drug use—including stimulant medications used to stay awake—can dangerously impair a truck driver’s ability to operate safely.
• Inadequate Training: Truck drivers require specialized training. Poor training or inexperienced drivers greatly increase accident risks.

Where Do Truck Accidents Often Occur in Miami?

Miami’s dense traffic, tourism, and busy shipping routes contribute to a high number of commercial truck accidents. Common locations include:

• I-95 and I-75: These major interstates are heavily used by commercial trucks transporting cargo throughout South Florida.
• Florida’s Turnpike: Frequent congestion and high speeds create dangerous conditions, especially near Miami exits.
• PortMiami Areas: Heavy truck traffic transports goods to and from the port, leading to increased accident risks.
• US-1 & SR-836 (Dolphin Expressway): Busy commuter routes with constant lane changes and merging create hazards for large trucks.
• Industrial Zones & Warehouse Districts: Neighborhoods such as Doral and Hialeah see constant semi-truck movement, increasing local accident potential.

Federal Trucking Laws

The trucking industry is regulated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), which enforces safety rules such as:

• Hours-of-Service (HOS) Regulations: Limits the number of hours a driver can be on the road to reduce fatigue.
• Drug and Alcohol Testing Requirements: Truck drivers must undergo pre-employment, random, and post-accident testing.
• Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) Standards: Drivers must meet strict training and licensing requirements.
• Vehicle Maintenance Rules: Companies must perform regular inspections, repairs, and maintenance on their fleets.
• Cargo Securement Regulations: Cargo must be properly loaded and secured to prevent shifting or falling.

Violations of any of these laws can help prove liability in a truck accident claim.

Truck Accident FAQs

How long do I have to file a truck accident claim in Florida?

Florida’s statute of limitations for most personal injury claims is two years from the date of the accident. Wrongful death cases also have a two-year deadline.

Who can be held liable for a truck accident?

Possible liable parties include the truck driver, trucking company, cargo loaders, maintenance providers, and in some cases, manufacturers of defective truck parts.

What compensation can I recover?

Victims may receive compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, property damage, future medical needs, and more.

Do truck accident cases take longer than regular car accidents?

Often, yes. Truck accident claims are complex and involve multiple parties, federal regulations, and aggressive insurers.

Should I speak to the trucking company’s insurer?

No. These insurers often try to minimize or deny claims. Always speak with a lawyer first.

Why You Need Raposo & Lukacs in Miami Truck Accident Claims

For several reasons, truck accident claims are far more complex than standard car accident cases.

These include: 

• Federal regulations. Federal safety standards govern trucks, including hours-of-service rules, maintenance requirements, and driver qualifications. Violations of these regulations may contribute to an accident but require legal experience to prove.
• Multiple liable parties. Liability can extend beyond the truck driver. It may include the trucking company, the truck's owner, cargo loaders, maintenance teams, or even manufacturers of defective parts. Identifying all responsible parties is critical to maximizing compensation.
• Trucking companies and insurers. Trucking companies often have aggressive legal teams and insurers working to deflect blame. They aim to minimize payouts, making it difficult for victims to achieve a fair settlement without skilled legal representation.
• Evidence collection. Crucial evidence like driver logs, onboard data recorders ("black boxes"), and maintenance records must be preserved and thoroughly analyzed—challenging tasks without swift legal intervention.

Without representation, you can become overwhelmed by the legal process or miss the opportunity to hold all liable parties accountable.