Were you injured in a truck accident in Fort Pierce, FL? Truck crashes often involve catastrophic injuries, multiple responsible parties, and high-limit insurance policies. Our experienced Fort Pierce truck accident lawyers at Shiner Law Group are ready to protect your rights and pursue the compensation you deserve.
Call (772) 979-6626 for a 100% free consultation.
You may be entitled to seek compensation for medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and more. The next steps are important & especially because trucking companies often move quickly to protect themselves. Contact our Fort Pierce law office today to discuss your options and how we can help with your case.
Quick Navigation
- What to Do After a Truck Accident in Fort Pierce
- Why Truck Accidents Are More Serious Than Car Accidents
- Common Causes of Truck Accidents
- Common Injuries in Truck Accidents
- How Commercial Truck Insurance Works in Florida
- Who Can Be Held Liable?
- Choosing a Truck Accident Attorney in Fort Pierce
- Critical Evidence in a Truck Accident Case
- Compensation in Fort Pierce Truck Accident Claims
- FAQs
- Free Consultation
- Fort Pierce Truck Accident Injury Law Office
What to Do After a Truck Accident in Fort Pierce
Your health comes first. But what you do in the hours and days after a commercial truck crash can also impact your claim. If you are able, take these steps:
- Call 911 and request medical assistance.
- Get checked by a medical provider right away & some injuries don’t show symptoms immediately.
- Take photos/video of the scene, vehicle positions, damage, road conditions, and visible injuries.
- Collect witness names and contact info if possible.
- Avoid recorded statements or quick settlement offers from insurance companies.
- Do not sign paperwork until you understand what rights you may be giving up.
- Contact a Fort Pierce truck accident lawyer as soon as possible to help preserve evidence.
Trucking companies often dispatch response teams quickly to control evidence and limit liability. Acting fast can help preserve key records and data before they are lost or overwritten.
Why Truck Accidents Are More Serious Than Car Accidents
You may need the assistance of a Fort Pierce truck accident lawyer if you or a loved one was injured in a collision with a semi-truck, tractor-trailer, box truck, or other oversized commercial vehicle.
Because commercial trucks can weigh tens of thousands of pounds, they often cause significantly greater damage and more serious injuries than typical car accidents.
Watch: Attorney David Shiner Explains Truck Accident Cases
In the video below, Fort Pierce truck accident attorney David Shiner explains why commercial truck accidents are different from typical car crashes and what injured victims should understand about liability, insurance, and next steps.
Truck accident cases are also more complex. They may involve federal trucking regulations, multiple insurance policies, and multiple responsible parties beyond the driver.
In Florida, the statute of limitations to pursue a trucking accident lawsuit is two years for most personal injury claims, so it is important to protect your rights early.
Watch: Attorney David Shiner Explains Truck Accident Cases
In the video below, Fort Pierce truck accident attorney David Shiner explains why commercial truck accidents are more complex than car crashes and what injured victims should know.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents
Truck crashes are frequently preventable and often stem from negligence. Common causes include:
- Driver fatigue and hours-of-service violations
- Distracted driving (including in-cab distractions)
- Speeding or unsafe driving for road/weather conditions
- Unsafe lane changes and blind-spot (“no-zone”) collisions
- Improper turns, including wide right turns
- Poor maintenance, brake failures, or tire blowouts
- Improperly loaded or unsecured cargo
- Inadequate hiring, training, or supervision
Common Injuries in Truck Accidents
A truck driver increases the risk of severe injury or wrongful death when failing to operate the vehicle safely and comply with state and federal rules. Truck accident injuries may include:
- Internal organ damage
- Disfigurement requiring reconstructive or plastic surgery
- Severe whiplash and soft tissue injuries
- Broken bones, fractures, and sprains
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Spinal cord injuries (SCI)
- Permanent disability and future medical needs
Depending on the injuries and treatment required, truck accident victims may face mounting medical bills. Building a strong claim includes documenting both current and future needs.
How Commercial Truck Insurance Works in Florida
Commercial truck insurance differs from standard auto insurance. Many tractor-trailers are owned by third parties and insured under commercial liability policies that can involve multiple layers of coverage.
Some policies combine bodily injury and property damage under Combined Single Limit (CSL) coverage, while others separate coverage categories and may include excess or umbrella policies.
Under Commercial Liability Coverage, medical bills not covered by Personal Injury Protection (PIP) may be considered out-of-pocket expenses.
If a negligent party is found liable, those out-of-pocket expenses may be included as damages and pursued through the responsible insurer.
In addition, truck accident victims may be entitled to damages for pain and suffering, mental anguish, and future medical care. Understanding the available coverage is often one of the first steps in a truck accident recovery plan.
Who Can Be Held Liable in a Fort Pierce Truck Accident?
Truck accident cases often involve multiple responsible parties. Depending on the facts, the following parties may be held liable:
- The owner of the truck, the driver, and the hiring company
- The company leasing the truck (if applicable)
- If a trailer was involved, the owner of the trailer or the trailer’s leasing company
- The company responsible for loading the truck
- Maintenance or repair contractors (if poor maintenance contributed)
- The manufacturer of the truck’s components if product liability is shown
Choosing a Truck Accident Attorney in Fort Pierce
In the event of a truck accident, trucking companies may immediately dispatch an Accident Response Team to gather evidence and minimize financial liability.
Having the benefit of a Shiner Law Group attorney by your side helps level the playing field by ensuring evidence is collected, preserved, and examined to pursue the maximum recovery available.
For over 15 years, our truck accident attorneys have pursued maximum compensation for victims and families so they can focus on what’s important & recovery.
We work to obtain video footage, police reports, witness statements, and other evidence that may reveal what happened before impact and whether there are inconsistencies in driver logs or other records.
Critical Evidence in a Truck Accident Case
Strong truck accident claims are built on strong evidence. Depending on the crash, key evidence may include:
- Driver logs and electronic logging device (ELD) data
- Onboard recordings, dash cams, or video surveillance
- Black box/telematics data (when available)
- Driver qualification and training records
- Maintenance, inspection, and repair records
- Cargo and load documentation
- Dispatch records and delivery timelines
- Drug and alcohol testing records (when applicable)
- Police reports, scene photos, and witness statements
- Insurance policies (primary plus excess/umbrella coverage)
Preserving evidence early is critical, because certain records can be lost, overwritten, or harder to obtain as time passes.
Compensation in Fort Pierce Truck Accident Claims
When you or a loved one is injured in a tractor-trailer accident, dealing with financially sound defendants and experienced insurers can be challenging.
At Shiner Law Group, our legal team is committed to safeguarding our clients’ rights by fighting on behalf of their legal and financial interests.
While the circumstances of each case are unique, we seek a broad range of damages, including (as applicable):
- Medical treatment, rehabilitation, and future medical care
- Lost income and reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish and emotional distress
- Periods of disability and loss of quality of life
- Wrongful death damages for eligible surviving family members
Frequently Asked Questions About Fort Pierce Truck Accidents
How long do I have to file a truck accident lawsuit in Florida?
For most personal injury claims, Florida’s statute of limitations is two years. Acting early also helps preserve important evidence in trucking cases.
What if I was partially at fault?
You may still be able to recover compensation even if you were partially responsible. The specific facts and how fault is allocated can affect the outcome.
How much is my truck accident case worth?
Case value depends on the severity of injuries, medical needs, time missed from work, long-term impact, and available insurance coverage. An attorney can review your situation and explain what damages may apply.
Do truck accident cases go to court?
Many cases settle, but we prepare every case thoroughly to maintain leverage and protect our clients’ interests if litigation becomes necessary.
Speaking with a Fort Pierce Truck Accident Lawyer Near Me
Have you or someone you love been injured because of the negligent, reckless, or intentional conduct of another?
Call us at (772) 979-6626 or contact us online for a free case review to see how we can help.
