Trial-Ready Representation Against Trucking Companies & Their Insurers
When a commercial truck collides with a passenger vehicle, the results are rarely minor. The size and weight differential alone can turn a single collision into a life-altering event, and the legal landscape that follows is just as uneven. Trucking companies deploy rapid-response defense teams almost immediately after a crash, working to control the narrative and limit what injured victims can recover. We represent individuals and families facing those exact circumstances throughout Miami and South Florida.
The scale of the problem reflects the severity of the risk. According to the National Safety Council, close to 6,000 people were killed in large truck accidents across the U.S. in 2022. Seventy percent of those fatalities were occupants of passenger vehicles, not trucks. That imbalance extends beyond the crash itself: victims absorb the physical, financial, and legal consequences while well-resourced carriers move quickly to minimize what they pay.
At Raposo & Lukacs, we prepare every truck accident case for trial from the first day of representation rather than steering clients toward early settlement. Our founding partner previously represented insurance defense firms, which means we understand how carriers evaluate claims, set reserves, and build their defenses before that first call is ever made. That inside knowledge shapes how we investigate, how we negotiate, and how we litigate. We represent clients in English and Spanish, and our fees are contingency-based: you owe nothing unless we secure a recovery.
Schedule a free consultation with a Miami truck accident attorney at Raposo & Lukacs by calling (305) 575-2177 or completing our online contact form. Hablamos español.
Trucks Commonly Involved in Miami Traffic Accidents
Commercial trucks vary widely in size, purpose, and the hazards they create on the road. Understanding which vehicle types are involved helps clarify the specific risks each poses to other road users.
Semi-trucks and 18-wheelers are the most common large commercial vehicles on South Florida highways, posing significant risks due to their size and weight.
Delivery trucks operated by major carriers see frequent urban involvement driven by high e-commerce volume, creating collision risks on local streets and in residential areas.
Tanker trucks carrying fuel, chemicals, or other hazardous materials introduce additional dangers in crashes, including fire and contamination risk.
Box trucks used for moving or local delivery can cause severe damage in urban collisions despite their smaller profile compared to 18-wheelers.
Construction vehicles, including dump trucks and cement mixers, have limited maneuverability and visibility, particularly near active work zones.
Regardless of type, commercial trucks require greater stopping distances, carry wide blind spots, and demand precise handling on both highways and surface streets. When these vehicles are operated negligently, the consequences for people in passenger vehicles can include brain injuries, spinal cord damage, limb loss, and other catastrophic injuries.
Types of Truck Accident Cases We Handle in Miami
The mechanics of a truck accident shape the injuries victims sustain and the legal theories that apply. We handle serious truck accident claims of all types, including those involving catastrophic and fatal outcomes.
Jackknife accidents occur when the trailer swings out at an angle to the cab, blocking multiple lanes and triggering multi-vehicle collisions.
Rollover accidents can result from sharp turns, excessive speed, or improperly distributed cargo loads.
Underride collisions, where a smaller vehicle slides beneath the trailer, are among the most fatal truck accident types due to the intrusion into the passenger compartment.
Rear-end collisions involving commercial trucks cause severe damage because of the vehicles’ mass and extended stopping distances.
Wide-turn accidents occur when trucks executing right turns sweep into adjacent lanes or onto sidewalks, striking vehicles and pedestrians in their path.
Head-on collisions involving large trucks are frequently fatal for passenger vehicle occupants due to the force differential at impact.
Blind-spot crashes occur when truck drivers fail to account for the large zones where other vehicles disappear from their mirrors entirely.
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: Federal hours-of-service regulations limit driving time, but employer delivery pressure leads to routine violations. Fatigue remains one of the leading causes of large truck crashes.
Distracted driving: Texting, navigation use, dispatch devices, and eating while operating a commercial vehicle all raise crash risk significantly.
Speeding and aggressive driving: Tight delivery deadlines push drivers toward speeding, tailgating, and unsafe lane changes.
Improper cargo loading: Overloaded or imbalanced cargo can cause rollovers, jackknife events, and sudden loss of vehicle control.
Mechanical failures: Faulty brakes, worn tires, and deferred maintenance cause major accidents, particularly at highway speeds on South Florida corridors.
Driving under the influence: Alcohol, recreational drugs, and stimulant medications used to combat fatigue all impair a driver’s ability to operate a commercial vehicle safely.
Inadequate training: Less experienced operators who lack proper instruction on handling large commercial vehicles are a frequent contributing factor in serious crashes.
Where Truck Accidents Occur in Miami
Miami’s density, its role as a major freight hub, and the volume of commercial traffic feeding PortMiami create concentrated accident risk across specific corridors. High-frequency locations include:
I-95 and I-75: These primary interstate corridors move commercial freight throughout South Florida and see consistent heavy truck volume at all hours.
Florida’s Turnpike: High speeds and frequent congestion near Miami exits create elevated risk for large trucks navigating merges and exits.
PortMiami areas: Heavy commercial truck traffic entering and leaving the port generates concentrated accident risk on surrounding surface roads.
US-1 and SR-836 (Dolphin Expressway): Constant lane changes and merging on these busy commuter routes create hazardous conditions for large vehicles.
Palmetto Expressway (SR 826): High congestion levels on this heavily traveled corridor make it a frequent site of commercial truck accidents.
Industrial zones in Doral and Hialeah: Constant semi-truck movement serving warehouses and distribution centers raises accident risk on local surface streets throughout these neighborhoods.
Federal Trucking Regulations & Why They Matter
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) sets the safety standards governing commercial trucking nationwide. Understanding these rules is central to establishing liability after a crash.
Hours-of-service (HOS) regulations: Drivers are limited to 11 hours of driving after 10 consecutive hours off duty, with a hard cap of 14 consecutive hours on duty and a mandatory 30-minute break after 8 consecutive hours of driving.
Drug and alcohol testing: Carriers must conduct pre-employment, random, and post-accident testing. Federal regulations require that an alcohol test be administered as soon as practicable following a qualifying accident, and employers must document any delay beyond two hours.
Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) standards: All commercial truck operators must meet strict training and licensing requirements before operating a large vehicle.
Vehicle maintenance rules: Trucking companies are required to perform regular inspections, repairs, and maintenance on every vehicle in their fleet.
Cargo securement regulations: Cargo must be properly loaded and secured to prevent shifting or falling during transit.
Minimum liability insurance: Trucks over 10,000 pounds hauling non-hazardous cargo must carry at least $750,000 in liability coverage. Trucks hauling hazardous materials face higher minimums.
A violation of any FMCSA regulation can be used to help establish negligence and liability in a truck accident claim. Identifying those violations requires access to records that can disappear quickly without immediate legal intervention.
Truck accident cases are fundamentally different from standard car accident claims. Multiple parties can share liability: the driver, the trucking company, the vehicle owner, cargo loaders, maintenance contractors, and component manufacturers may all bear some responsibility depending on how the crash occurred. Federal regulations create a parallel layer of negligence analysis that standard collision cases never involve. And the defense resources on the other side are substantial.
Critical evidence, including electronic logging device (ELD) data, black box records, driver logs, and maintenance files, can be overwritten, discarded, or withheld if a preservation demand isn’t served immediately. Trucking companies and their insurers typically deploy rapid-response teams to accident scenes within hours precisely because they understand what is at stake in that evidence.
We counter that advantage directly. Our founding partner’s prior experience representing insurance carriers gives us direct insight into how defense teams set reserves, structure their investigations, and construct liability arguments. We use that knowledge to move faster, demand the right records, and build a case that holds up in court rather than collapses at the negotiation table. We work with life care planners and economists to calculate the full lifetime cost of catastrophic injuries, including future medical care, rehabilitation, home modifications, and lost earning capacity, so our damage analysis reflects what a seriously injured person actually needs, not just what an insurer is willing to offer early.
Our results reflect the approach. We have secured a $40 million wrongful death jury verdict and an $8 million wrongful death verdict ranked among Florida’s top jury verdicts in 2024, both achieved against well-defended defendants with substantial insurance backing. We are admitted to all three federal districts in Florida and have appeared in courts across multiple states, which matters when truck accident cases move into federal court. We maintain 24/7 accessibility for clients with urgent questions after a serious crash, and we connect clients with trusted medical professionals throughout the legal process.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Long Do I Have to File a Truck Accident Claim in Florida?
For crashes occurring on or after March 24, 2023, Florida’s statute of limitations gives you two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury claim. Crashes that occurred before that date carried a four-year filing window under the prior law. Wrongful death claims carry a two-year deadline regardless of when the crash occurred. Waiting too long can mean losing the right to recover entirely.
Who Can Be Held Liable for a Truck Accident?
Liability can extend well beyond the driver. Depending on how the crash occurred, responsible parties may include the trucking company, the vehicle owner, cargo loaders, maintenance contractors, and manufacturers of defective components. Identifying all liable parties is essential to pursuing full compensation.
What Compensation Can I Recover After a Truck Accident?
Recoverable damages can include past and future medical expenses, lost wages, lost earning capacity, pain and suffering, property damage, and wrongful death damages. In cases involving catastrophic injuries, future costs calculated with life care planners and economists often represent the largest portion of a potential recovery.
Are Truck Accident Cases More Complicated Than Car Accident Claims?
Yes. Federal regulations, multiple potentially liable parties, complex evidence preservation requirements, and well-resourced defense teams make truck accident claims significantly more involved than standard car accident cases. Under Florida’s modified comparative negligence law, a victim found to be more than 50 percent at fault cannot recover damages, which adds another layer of strategic complexity.
Should I Speak With the Trucking Company’s Insurer After the Crash?
No. Trucking company insurers begin working to limit exposure immediately after a crash. Anything you say can be used to reduce or deny your claim. Consult with a personal injury attorney before giving any statement to any insurer.
“Raposa & Lukacs work tirelessly to secure the best outcome for their clients. Highly recommended for anyone in need of legal services!”
Justin P.
“Compassionate Support, Outstanding Results”
“Professional, caring, and always responsive—this team secured a great settlement during a difficult time. Grateful for their support!”
D. Conra
“Trustworthy Support Every Step of the Way”
“A seamless, caring, and professional experience from start to finish. Grateful for their dedication and support throughout the process.”
J.C.
“A True Fighter for His Clients”
“John goes the extra mile to fight for what you deserve, keeping you informed every step of the way. Highly recommended!”
Octavio C.
“Professionalism with a Personal Touch”
“José and Cassandra provided exceptional support, creating a family-like environment. Grateful for Dr. B’s help in restoring my back after the accident!”
Ricardo R.
“Highly Recommended for Trusted Legal Services”
“Very satisfied with the service and would highly recommend this firm to family or friends for their professionalism and dedication.”
Diana F.
“Dedicated, Professional, and Compassionate”
“Grateful for the hard work, professionalism, and kindness this firm showed throughout my case. Their dedication made all the difference.”
Phyllis P.
“Exceptional Service & Professionalism Throughout”
“A seamless and professional experience from start to finish. This firm provided exceptional care, support, and expertise throughout the entire process.”
Raposo & Lukacs is a boutique trial firm. We don’t route cases toward early settlement to move volume. We prepare every matter for trial from the first day of representation, which changes the dynamic in negotiations and in court. Trucking companies and their carriers deal with high-volume settlement firms differently than they deal with a firm that is genuinely ready to try a case. That preparation is what can give our clients stronger leverage at every stage.
Our credentials reflect our standing among peers and in the courtroom. We are recognized by Best Lawyers in America, Super Lawyers, and the Million Dollar and Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forums. We hold an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell, the highest peer rating for legal ability and professional conduct. These aren’t self-reported distinctions: they are independent evaluations by other attorneys and judges who have seen how we work.
Clients describe working with us as professional, caring, and responsive. We return calls and messages quickly, provide regular updates throughout the process, and make sure no question goes unanswered. Serious injury cases raise urgent questions at all hours, which is why we maintain 24/7 accessibility. And because financial pressure shouldn’t determine whether a seriously injured person can pursue justice, we represent clients on a contingency fee basis: no attorney fees unless we secure a recovery.
When the stakes are high, you need a legal team that won’t flinch. We are aggressive, strategic, and relentless in our pursuit of justice. Our track record speaks for itself—when we take on a case, we fight to win.
When Everything Is on the Line, We Deliver.
High-value cases demand precision, experience, and fearless representation. We take on the toughest legal battles, standing firm against powerful opponents to secure the best possible outcome for our clients.
Powerful Representation
We don’t handle minor claims—we focus on complex, high-stakes cases where the results matter most. Our firm is built on the principles of aggressive litigation, tactical strategy, and an unwavering commitment to winning.
Your Case. Your Future. Our Mission.
Your legal battle isn’t just another case to us—it’s your future, your financial security, and your peace of mind. We take a personal stake in every case we handle, fighting with determination to deliver the justice and compensation you deserve.
