St. Petersburg Truck Accident Lawyer

Helping Truck Accident Victims Seek Compensation

Were you injured in an accident involving a large truck, semi-truck, or tractor-trailer in St. Petersburg, FL? You may have legal options to recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and your pain and suffering. A St. Petersburg truck accident lawyer at Perenich, Caulfield, Avril & Noyes Personal Injury Lawyers will help you pursue the maximum compensation you deserve. 

Our legal team has been dedicated to protecting accident victims from bicycle accidents, commercial vehicle crashes, bus incidents, and more since we opened our doors in 1955.

We’ve recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for our clients. Let us put our experience and resources to work for you.

Are you interested in learning more about the benefits of working with our truck accident attorneys in St. Petersburg? Contact our law office at (727) 591-3354 today to schedule a free consultation.

Overview of Federal Trucking Regulations

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is a U.S. government agency that regulates the trucking and commercial motor vehicle (CMV) industry to ensure safety on the roads. FMCSA regulations apply to interstate commercial trucks and buses and are designed to reduce crashes, injuries, and fatalities involving large vehicles.

Here’s an overview of the key FMCSA trucking regulations:

• Hours of Service (HOS) Regulations: Truck drivers can drive up to 11 hours after taking 10 consecutive hours off. They must complete this within a 14-hour on-duty window, even if they haven’t driven the full 11 hours. Weekly limits restrict driving to 60 hours over 7 days or 70 hours over 8 days, with a 34-hour break required to reset.
• Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs): Most truck drivers are required to use Electronic Logging Devices to record their driving hours. These devices automatically track time and help ensure compliance with HOS limits. ELDs replace paper logs and make it easier for inspectors to verify records.
• Driver Qualification Requirements: Drivers must have a valid Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) and meet certain age and health requirements. They must pass a DOT physical exam every two years and have a clean driving history. Carriers are responsible for verifying and maintaining driver qualification files.
• Drug and Alcohol Testing: Commercial drivers must undergo drug and alcohol testing before starting a job, randomly throughout the year, and after certain accidents. Testing is also required if there is reasonable suspicion or after a positive test result before returning to duty. These rules are in place to keep impaired drivers off the road.
• Vehicle Inspection, Repair, and Maintenance: Trucking companies must regularly inspect, maintain, and repair their vehicles to ensure safety. Drivers must complete daily vehicle inspection reports (DVIRs) and report any issues immediately. Maintenance records must be kept and made available during inspections or audits.
• Weight and Size Restrictions: Federal law limits the gross vehicle weight to 80,000 pounds, with specific axle weight limits (20,000 lbs for a single axle, 34,000 lbs for tandem axles). Overloaded trucks can cause serious safety risks and damage roads. Carriers must ensure compliance before allowing vehicles on the road.
• Hazardous Materials (HazMat) Regulations: Drivers transporting hazardous materials must have a HazMat endorsement and follow strict labeling, placarding, and routing rules. They must carry emergency response information and adhere to special parking and handling procedures. These regulations are designed to prevent and minimize dangerous incidents.

Violations of FMCSA regulations can result in:

• Fines and penalties
• Out-of-service orders
• Loss of operating authority
• Higher insurance premiums
• Civil or criminal liability in case of an accident

How Common Are Truck Accidents?

More than 5,000 people died in large truck wrecks across the U.S. in 2019. That’s a 36% increase since 2010.

Florida is no stranger to fatal crashes. In 2019, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles estimated that at least 32,000 people were involved in large truck accidents in the Sunshine State.

What Causes Most Truck Accidents?

According to Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) data, about 87% of all truck accidents are caused by driver error. 

Some of the most common causes of truck accidents in St. Petersburg include:

• Distracted driving
• Fatigued driving
• Excessive speeds
• Unsafe passing
• Illegal lane changes
• Illegal or unsafe turns
• Running a red light or stop sign
• Drunk driving
• Misuse of drugs, including prescription drugs
• Failure to maintain the vehicle
• Inexperienced drivers
• Violation of state and federal safety regulations, including rules limiting hours on the road

Problems with the truck itself cause some truck accidents, including:

• Defective brakes
• Worn tires
• Hazardous cargo
• Failure to properly secure the cargo 
• Failure to properly connect the tractor to the trailer
• Defective truck parts and safety equipment
• Failure to properly screen, train, and supervise truck drivers

Common Truck Accident Injuries

Because of their size and weight, commercial trucks have the ability to cause extreme injuries. Even if you survive the crash, you may be left struggling with a permanent disability.

Some common truck accident injuries include:

• Brain injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Broken bones
• Internal injuries, including bleeding and organ damage
• Head and neck injuries
• Concussions
• Back injuries
• Burns 
• Amputations 
• Paralysis
• Catastrophic injuries
• Wrongful death of a loved one

Truck accident victims often incur hundreds of thousands of dollars in medical bills. Some require medical care over a lifetime. If you were injured, you can rely on our lawyers to fight for every dollar you deserve. 

How Do I Prove Negligence After a Truck Accident in Florida? 

Our lawyers always conduct a full investigation into the accident. At the outset, we’ll review the truck’s black box recording device and evaluate the truck itself to gain insight into what happened.

The vast majority of truck accident cases are based on negligence. Proving negligence means offering proof about:

• The responsible party’s legal duty of care
• A breach of duty
• How the breach caused the accident
• The damages you’ve suffered

In some cases, strict liability laws may also apply. 

At Perenich, Caulfield, Avril & Noyes Personal Injury Lawyers, we know that things might feel overwhelming right now. We’re here to help. Just call our law firm today to get the legal advice you deserve.

Who is Responsible for Paying Damages After a Truck Accident?

Truck accident cases are complex. Although the truck driver might have caused the accident, someone else might be legally accountable for your damages.

Additional responsible parties in a truck accident case might include:

• The truck driver’s employer
• The trucking company
• A truck leasing company
• Maintenance companies
• Shipping companies
• A company hired to inspect the truck 
• A company responsible for securing the truck’s cargo
• Government agencies
• A third-party driver

Our team will work tirelessly to locate the evidence you’ll need to support your personal injury claim, including:

• Trucking logs
• The driver’s log of hours spent behind the wheel
• Inspection and maintenance records
• The driver’s commercial driver’s license and training record
• Past reports of safety violations
• Video footage and photos of the accident scene
• The commercial vehicle’s black box recording device, which can provide information about speed and vehicle function at the time of the crash

We have the resources to hire experts and specialists who can strengthen your case. With their insight and our legal expertise, you can count on us to fight for the maximum compensation you deserve.

What Types of Damages Are Available to Truck Accident Victims?

Like any car accident victim, truck accident victims are entitled to damages if someone else caused the accident. Florida personal injury laws classify compensatory damages according to whether they represent economic losses or non-economic losses.

Your economic damages may include:

• Medical bills
• Lost wages
• Future medical bills
• Lost future earning capacity
• Physical therapy and rehabilitation 
• Long-term care
• In-home care
• Modifications to your home and vehicle

Non-economic damages provide compensation for:

• Pain and suffering
• Mental anguish
• Diminished quality of life
• Anxiety, depression, and PTSD
• Permanent physical disability
• Disfigurement or scarring
• Loss of consortium

Our primary goal is to maximize your compensation award and hold the at-fault parties fully accountable for their actions. That way, you’ll have the financial resources to get back on your feet again.

What is My Truck Accident Case Worth?

Determining the value of your truck accident claim can be difficult. Numerous factors can play a role. Of course, the primary factor is the severity of your injuries. The most serious injuries tend to result in the highest settlements.

Additional relevant factors include:

• The cost of your medical treatment and property damage
• Your prognosis
• The impact on your quality of life and career
• Your emotional and physical suffering

You’re entitled to compensation for both past and future losses. Hiring a lawyer who has experience successfully handling cases like yours is the best way to make sure you’re getting everything you deserve.

Can I Recover Damages If I’m Being Blamed for a Truck Accident in Florida?

Multiple parties can be held liable for the same accident under Florida law, including victims who were injured in the crash.  

However, you don’t always lose your right to compensation if you’re partly responsible; Florida is a modified comparative fault state with a 51% recovery bar. Under Florida law, you can sue to recover damages from anyone who was even slightly responsible for the accident. However, if you are partly to blame, your damages will be reduced to account for your share of fault. And if you are mostly to blame, you cannot recover compensation.

How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit After a Truck Accident in Florida?

The statute of limitations in personal injury cases was recently changed in the State of Florida. If your accident took place on or after 3/24/2023, you’ll have two years to file a lawsuit. Otherwise, you’ll have four years. However, there are exceptions to these deadlines.

Missing the deadline has serious consequences. You’ll forfeit your right to compensation if you wait too long to take legal action.

How Perenich, Caulfield, Avril & Noyes Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help After a Truck Accident

Truck accident injuries can result in life-altering injuries. It’s critical to seek quality medical care after a truck accident. Unfortunately, that can leave you with a mountain of medical bills–often while you’re injured and unable to work. That makes it especially important to protect your legal rights. 

Trucking companies and their insurers have the resources to hire teams of lawyers and crews of investigators. They’ll start investigating the crash immediately. You might even have an insurance settlement on the table already.

Unfortunately, many truck accident victims accept lowball settlements because they need money quickly. Our St. Petersburg truck accident attorneys can make sure you don’t settle for less than you deserve. 

You can expect us to:

• Thoroughly investigate the crash
• Identify all responsible parties and sources of insurance
• Hire expert witnesses and specialists
• Negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf

Once you accept a settlement, you can’t pursue additional compensation at a later date. Our team has nearly 6 decades of experience negotiating with insurance companies. We’ll assess the value of your claim before we even sit down at the negotiating table.

Our team at Perenich, Caulfield, Avril & Noyes Personal Injury Lawyers is proud to offer top-quality legal representation. If you were injured, call a St. Petersburg truck accident lawyer at (727) 591-3354 to schedule your free consultation today.