Were you or a family member injured in a St. Petersburg, FL truck accident? You may deserve compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and more. An experienced St. Petersburg truck accident lawyer from Graves Thomas Rotunda Injury Law Group can help you get the maximum compensation possible. Call us at (772) 569-8155.
Our lawyers have over 50 years of experience between us. To date, we’ve used our skills to recover over $250 million in settlements and verdicts.
Since we opened our law firm, injury victims like you have trusted us to handle legal issues. To learn more about how we can help with your legal process, contact our law offices in St. Petersburg, Florida, to schedule a free consultation today with a truck collision attorney.
How Graves Thomas Rotunda Injury Law Group Can Help After a Truck Accident in St. Petersburg
Often, devastating truck accidents are entirely avoidable. When you suffer, you deserve to hold the at-fault parties liable in St. Petersburg, FL.
Our Graves Thomas Rotunda Injury Law Group legal team will do everything possible to maximize your financial award.
When you turn to our team, you can expect that we will:
- Investigate the circumstances of the crash
- Coordinate with accident reconstruction experts as we build your case
- Put a fair dollar value on your injury claim
- Demand full and fair compensation from all at-fault parties
- Defend against any allegations that the crash was your fault
- Deal with the paperwork and insurance communications
- Negotiate with the insurance companies for a full settlement
- Prepare and take your case to trial if necessary to get a fair deal
The truck driver has teams of insurance adjusters and attorneys to defend them. You deserve a skilled St. Petersburg personal injury lawyer to fight for you. Call us today to learn more about how our seasoned truck accident attorneys can maximize the amount of money you take home.
How Common Are Truck Accidents in Florida?
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) tracks accidents involving large trucks and tractor-trailers. According to FMCSA data, 8,852 significant truck accidents were reported in Florida during 2024, resulting in 4,188 injuries and 247 fatalities.
As of February 2025, there have been 2,619 reported accidents, 71 of which have resulted in fatal crashes and 1,217 injuries.
What Is My St. Petersburg Truck Accident Claim Worth?
All cases are different. That said, victims with the most severe injuries tend to recover the highest amounts. Unfortunately, when large and heavy trucks are involved in car accidents, the injuries tend to be severe.
As we’re building your case, we’ll evaluate many different factors, including:
- The overall severity of your injuries
- Whether your doctor expects you to make a full medical recovery
- The cost of your medical care thus far
- Expected future costs, including ongoing medical treatment, rehabilitation, in-home assistance, etc.
- Your vehicle repair costs
- Whether you miss time at work during recovery
- How much income you lose during recovery
- Whether your earning capacity will be impaired even after reaching maximum medical improvement
- Your personal losses, including emotional trauma and damage to your quality of life
- Whether shared fault is a legitimate issue
- The strength of the evidence
You’ve just been through a traumatic event. You probably don’t know how much your personal injury claim is worth if you don’t have much legal experience. These factors can put you in a vulnerable position with the insurance company.
It’s always best to consult an experienced attorney before taking any insurance deal. Otherwise, you risk letting the insurance company take advantage of your position.
State and Federal Laws on Trucking
In Florida, both state and federal regulations govern large trucks. State regulations outline size and size and load limits, safety rules, and permits required by the State of Florida. The FMCSA federal trucking regulations outline the hours truck operators must spend driving and off duty. Under these rules, property-carrying drivers:
- May drive a maximum of 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off duty.
- May not drive beyond the 14th consecutive hour after coming on duty, following 10 consecutive hours off duty.
- Drivers must take a 30-minute break after driving for eight cumulative hours without at least a 30-minute interruption.
- May not drive after 60/70 hours on duty in 7/8 consecutive days.
The above are a few of the applicable federal rules. If you have questions about what rules apply under Florida Law to truck drivers, contact a truck collision lawyer.
What Types of Damages Are Available to Truck Accident Victims?
Under Florida personal injury laws, compensatory damages fall into two categories: economic and non-economic damages.
Economic damages are intended to help you cover financial losses and reimburse you for expenses such as:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning capacity
- Physical therapy
- Rehabilitation and nursing care
- Vehicle repairs and other property damage
- Increased transportation expenses
- Home and vehicle modifications
- Out-of-pocket costs
Non-economic damages are meant to cover the emotional and personal toll of the accident, including things like:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Anxiety
- Depression
- PTSD
- Diminished quality of life
- Physical disfigurement and scarring
- Loss of consortium
To recover a full compensation award, you’ll have to first identify the losses you’ve sustained. You’ll also have to prove their value. That can be incredibly difficult when you’re talking about future expenses and non-financial losses.
Can I Recover Damages If I’m Partly Responsible for a Truck Accident in Florida?
Under Florida’s modified comparative negligence law, you lose your right to seek compensation if your share of fault is more than 50%. When you share even a small percentage of the blame, your compensation will be reduced.
In addition, Florida is a “no-fault” state when it comes to automobile accidents. Drivers are required to carry personal injury protection (PIP) insurance. This coverage helps pay some of your medical expenses, regardless of who was at fault.
Unfortunately, victim-blaming is a common insurance tactic. When successful, it can have a massive impact on the amount of money you take home. Because the insurance companies have a strong incentive to pin the blame on you, it’s important to hire a lawyer who can defend you.
Most Common Types of Truck Accident Injuries
Our truck crash lawyers in St. Petersburg often represent truck injury victims who have suffered:
- Broken bones
- Internal bleeding
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Organ damage
- Crushing injuries
- Chest injuries
- Concussions
- Dislocations
- Head and neck injuries
- Whiplash injuries
- Burns
- Amputations
- Paralysis
- Catastrophic injuries
- Wrongful death of a loved one
18-wheelers and semi-trucks are huge vehicles. They’re heavy and often contain dangerous cargo. When a passenger vehicle is involved in a truck wreck, the occupants often sustain serious injuries that require immediate medical attention. Call for a free case evaluation today to get started.
What Are the Top Causes of Commercial Truck Accidents in St. Petersburg?
To operate commercial vehicles, truck drivers must pass certain tests and obtain a commercial driver’s license in Florida. However, that does not guarantee that they won’t cause accidents.
Many different factors can contribute to the case of a truck crash, including:
- Distracted driving
- Speeding
- Tailgating
- Jackknife accidents
- Weaving between lanes
- Passing too closely
- Failure to yield the right-of-way
- Fatigued drivers and hours-of-service violations
- Lane departures
- Aggressive driving
- Wide turns
- Failure to account for the truck’s longer stopping times
- Failure to follow trucking industry regulations
- Inadequate vehicle maintenance
- Drunk driving
- Failing to conduct inspections before and after trips
- Unqualified or inexperienced truck operators
When the police respond to an accident, they’ll conduct a preliminary investigation. The accident report will contain important details. However, it doesn’t always tell the whole story. Our lawyers are prepared to step in and conduct our investigation to gather evidence on your behalf.
How Do I Prove Liability After a Truck Accident?
Legally, you must establish these elements to prove negligence:
- Duty of care
- Breach of duty
- Causation
- Damages
Some types of evidence can be particularly helpful in truck accident cases, including:
- Electronic recordings from the truck’s black box
- Hours-of-service logs
- Video footage
- Maintenance records
- Statements from experts
- Eyewitnesses
- Police reports
- Medical records
We have the tools to locate every piece of evidence that can prove your case. If you were injured in a St. Petersburg truck wreck, our attorneys can provide the legal assistance you deserve.
Who Can Be Responsible for My Damages After a Truck Accident in St. Petersburg?
Responsible parties may include:
- Negligent truck drivers
- Trucking companies that employer negligent drivers
- The company that owns or leases the truck
- Maintenance companies
- Manufacturers of defective equipment
- Cargo loading companies
- Government agencies responsible for oversight
- Third-party motorists
When multiple parties share blame, each can be held liable for their share of fault. Identifying each and every responsible party can be critical to your financial recovery.
How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit After a Truck Accident in Florida?
The statute of limitations for most personal injury accidents, including truck accidents, is two years from the date of the accident or injury. If you don’t bring your claim within these two years, you risk losing the right to recover compensation. However, it is important to note that certain exceptions might affect the statute of limitations, such as if a government entity or a minor is involved in the accident.
The best way to ensure you file your lawsuit on time is to speak with a qualified lawyer who can give you the most accurate time frame for your specific situation.
How Much Does it Cost to Hire a Truck Accident Lawyer?
Most personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. When you hire a lawyer on contingency, you won’t pay anything upfront. Instead, your lawyer will front the costs, and their fee will come from your total recovery amount, usually around 33% and 40%.
If your lawyer doesn’t secure compensation for you, you owe nothing. This system ensures that legal representation is accessible to everyone, regardless of financial circumstances, while aligning the lawyer’s interests with yours.
Contact a Skilled St. Petersburg Truck Accident Attorney for a Free Consultation
If you’ve been injured in a truck accident in Florida, contact an experienced St. Petersburg truck accident attorney. Our firm is located near you. Visit our office at 200 Central Ave Suite 304, St. Petersburg, FL 33701. Find us with our GeoCoordinates: 27.774862661595975, -82.63502488375319 to discuss your rights and compensation opportunities today.
At Graves Thomas Rotunda Injury Law Group, we’re always here to discuss your case. We have the experience and resources to handle your unique claim successfully. Contact us today to arrange your free truck accident consultation with one of our firm’s dedicated accident attorneys.
Truck Accidents Resources:
- Florida’s NEW Driver’s License and ID Card
- Crash Report
- Florida’s Statute of Limitations for Motor-Vehicle
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