Miami Truck Accident Injury Lawyers

Trusted Legal Help for Truck Accident Victims in Miami, FL

If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident in Miami, FL, you know how quickly life can change. Truck accidents are among the most devastating collisions on the road, often leading to serious injuries, expensive medical bills, lost wages, and long-term disabilities. The sheer size and weight of commercial trucks make them significantly more dangerous than regular passenger vehicles.

At The Florida Law Group, our experienced Miami truck accident attorneys are committed to helping victims of truck crashes recover the compensation they deserve. We have the knowledge, resources, and determination to take on powerful trucking companies and insurers to protect your rights.

Call (833) 899-0310 today or fill out our online contact form to schedule your free consultation with our Miami truck accident lawyer.

Miami Bus Accident Statistics

If you have been seriously hurt in a collision with a truck or another large vehicle in the Miami-Dade area, you are not alone. Statistics show that the number of large trucks involved in fatal accidents in Florida increased by over 4% between 2019 and 2020. Since 2010, fatalities in these types of crashes have risen by 36%, and injuries have risen by 96%.. Because commercial trucks are much larger than other vehicles on the road, a collision is more likely to result in catastrophic injuries that require costly medical care.

Common Types of Truck Accidents

Commercial trucks come in many shapes and sizes—from 18-wheelers and tractor-trailers to dump trucks and delivery vehicles—and each can be involved in serious collisions. Some of the most common types of truck accidents in Miami include:

• Jackknife Accidents: These occur when the truck’s trailer swings out to form a 90-degree angle with the cab, usually during sudden braking. Jackknife accidents can involve multiple vehicles and lead to severe injuries.
• Rear-End Collisions: Because of their weight, trucks take longer to stop. If a truck driver is distracted or speeding, they might rear-end a smaller vehicle, often causing significant damage.
• Underride Accidents: These tragic accidents occur when a smaller car slides underneath the back or side of a truck. The results are often fatal or involve major injuries.
• Rollover Accidents: A truck can tip over if it takes a curve too fast, has an unbalanced load, or encounters poor road conditions. Rollover accidents can crush nearby vehicles and block entire roads.
• Wide Turn Collisions: Trucks require extra space to turn, especially to the right. Inadequate signaling or failing to check blind spots can trap vehicles between the truck and the curb or other obstacles.

Miami is home to heavily traveled highways like I-95, the Dolphin Expressway, and the Florida Turnpike, where large trucks regularly travel through high-traffic areas and complicated interchanges. These busy roads increase the risk of complex truck accidents that may involve multiple vehicles or pileups. When an accident occurs on these routes, the impact can affect not just those directly involved but also lead to major roadway closures and delays for emergency services. Understanding the different types of truck accidents common on Miami’s roads can help you describe your collision accurately and provide important details to your attorney.

Common Causes of Truck Accidents

Truck accidents are often preventable and usually happen because of negligence. Common causes of truck accidents in Miami include:

• Driver Fatigue: Despite federal rules limiting driving hours, many truck drivers exceed safe limits to meet deadlines. Fatigue slows reaction time and affects judgment.
• Distracted Driving: Like other motorists, truck drivers may be distracted by phones, GPS devices, eating, or adjusting the radio, which can be deadly when operating a large vehicle.
• Speeding or Aggressive Driving: Commercial truck drivers sometimes feel pressure to deliver cargo quickly. This can lead to dangerous driving behavior like speeding or tailgating.
• Poor Truck Maintenance: Commercial trucks must be inspected and maintained regularly. Worn tires, faulty brakes, or broken lights can contribute to serious crashes.
• Improperly Loaded Cargo: If a truck's cargo is unbalanced or exceeds weight limits, it can cause rollovers, spilled cargo, or brake failures.
• Driving Under the Influence: Some truck drivers might drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs, including prescription or over-the-counter medications that impair judgment.

Unique challenges in Miami, such as unpredictable tropical weather, heavy rain, and low visibility during hurricane season, can increase the risks associated with these dangers. In addition, traffic congestion on interstates like I-95 means any lapse in a truck driver's attention or a maintenance problem can cause chain-reaction accidents involving several vehicles. Residents and visitors should be aware that Miami’s busy roads and changing weather make safe driving more difficult for truck drivers and other motorists. If you have been injured because of a trucking company's or driver’s negligence in Miami, involving a tractor trailer accident attorney Miami can help ensure all factors are thoroughly examined.

Who is Liable for a Truck Accident?

Determining liability in a truck accident is often more complex than in regular car crashes. Multiple parties may be held responsible, including:

• Truck Driver – For reckless, negligent, or impaired driving.
• Trucking Company – If they hire unqualified drivers, enforce unsafe schedules, or fail to keep vehicles maintained.
• Truck Manufacturer – If a vehicle defect leads to the accident.
• Cargo Loaders – If improper loading causes a crash.
• Maintenance Providers – If a truck was poorly maintained by an outside company.

Properly identifying all responsible parties is vital for maximizing your recovery. Truck accident litigation in Miami often involves reviewing the truck’s electronic logging device (black box data), maintenance logs, and employment records to determine if trucking companies in South Florida or national firms operating through Miami contributed to unsafe practices. 

Local and state regulations, such as Florida’s commercial vehicle safety standards, play a major role in assigning liability in these cases. Working with a legal team familiar with Miami-Dade County’s court system and procedures can help address every detail, which is essential for complex incidents involving 18-wheelers or big rigs passing through busy areas like the Palmetto Expressway or US-1. Consulting a big rig accident lawyer Miami brings the local and legal experience needed to conduct a thorough investigation and seek a fair resolution.

Common Injuries in Miami Truck Accidents

Truck accidents often cause some of the most severe and life-changing injuries, so it is vital for victims and families to understand the range and impact of harm that may result. In Miami, emergency rooms such as those at Jackson Memorial Hospital and the University of Miami Hospital frequently treat patients for serious trauma related to truck crashes. These injuries can be complex and often affect a person’s health, work, and quality of life.

Victims of collisions involving 18-wheelers and tractor-trailers may experience:

• Traumatic brain injuries: These include concussions, brain contusions, or more severe head trauma, often requiring intensive care and ongoing rehabilitation.
• Spinal cord and back injuries: These may involve herniated discs, fractures, or paralysis, which affect independence and ability to work.
• Amputations or crush injuries: Trapped limbs or major impacts with heavy truck components can lead to permanent loss or extensive treatment.
• Internal injuries: Damage to organs and internal bleeding may not be immediately visible but can be life-threatening if left untreated.
• Severe fractures and orthopedic injuries: Complicated bone breaks can delay recovery, cause lasting impairment, or require future surgeries.

These injuries often need specialized surgeries, ongoing therapy, or home accommodations. Medical expenses can add up quickly, putting families under significant financial stress. Because these injuries may have lifelong effects, it is important for any settlement or verdict to take into account current expenses as well as future care and lost income. 

Working with an experienced 18 wheeler accident attorney Miami can help ensure that all these factors are considered when seeking compensation. When looking for guidance, expect your attorney to collaborate with medical professionals, review hospital reports, and assess all future needs you are likely to have in Miami or the surrounding area.

Federal and Florida Laws Governing Commercial Truck Accidents

The trucking industry is regulated by both federal and state laws, which play an important role in Miami truck accident cases. All commercial drivers and companies operating in Miami must follow Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) rules, which cover driving hour limits, recordkeeping, and mandatory vehicle inspections. Florida also has its own statutes for commercial carriers and trucking, including requirements for vehicle upkeep, driver licensing, and transporting hazardous materials.

Miami’s location near the Port of Miami, one of the busiest cargo ports in the Southeast, means a high volume of semi-trucks and tractor-trailers pass through the city each day. When a trucking accident occurs in Miami-Dade County, attorneys must often check compliance with FMCSA regulations and Chapter 316 of the Florida Statutes, which addresses state transportation and highway safety. Violations—such as exceeding allowed driving hours or failing to repair worn brakes—can help show negligence or liability.

• Annual inspection and maintenance requirements for all commercial vehicles in Florida.
• Hours-of-service rules limiting how long a truck driver can operate without rest.
• Mandatory training and background checks for drivers employed by carriers serving Miami and all of South Florida.
• Special procedures and penalties for transporting hazardous materials.

Because commercial truck accident claims in Miami often involve a web of state and federal rules, hiring attorneys who regularly handle cases in local courts—like Miami-Dade County Circuit Court—ensures you have legal support that understands the details of every law and how it may affect your case.

What Makes Truck Accident Cases in Miami Unique?

Miami presents a range of factors that set its truck accident cases apart from those in other areas. With its dense population, year-round visitors, and unique mix of interstate traffic, local roads often become crowded and unpredictable. Highways such as US-1, State Road 826, and the MacArthur Causeway see heavy use by commercial vehicles and everyday drivers, which raises the risk of serious wrecks involving many parties.

Another unique aspect of Miami is the presence of large distribution centers near the airport and seaport, resulting in frequent crossings of big rigs and tractor-trailers through city streets and neighborhoods. These conditions may complicate investigations, as they often involve fleets operated by national carriers and multiple insurance policies. Additionally, Miami’s multicultural community means legal services should be available in Spanish and English, and local lawyers need to understand the needs of diverse families impacted by these accidents.

• Frequent involvement of out-of-state truck companies traveling between the Port of Miami and other destinations in Florida.
• Legal challenges when accidents involve multiple vehicles or parties from different states.
• Need for bilingual services to ensure clear communication for all clients in Miami-Dade County.

Our firm’s attorney-owned and client-driven approach means every case is handled by an experienced lawyer with local knowledge of Miami’s roads, legal procedures, and the challenges facing injury victims in our city. If you are looking for a big rig accident attorney in Miami, choosing a team with established roots in the local legal community can make a real difference to your case.

FAQs About Truck Accidents in Miami, FL

For your convenience, here are answers to some of the most common questions truck accident victims in Miami ask:

• How long do I have to file a truck accident claim in Florida? Florida's statute of limitations for personal injury claims is generally two years from the date of the accident. However, there may be exceptions, so it's best to consult a Miami truck accident lawyer soon after your crash.
• What should I do after a truck accident in Miami? Call 911, seek medical attention, gather evidence (such as photos and witness contact information), and do not give statements to the trucking company’s insurer before you speak with an attorney.
• What compensation can I recover after a truck accident? Victims may be able to recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, rehabilitation, property damage, and in some cases, punitive damages.
• Is Florida a no-fault state? How does that affect my truck accident claim? Yes, Florida is a no-fault insurance state. Your PIP coverage (personal injury protection) pays first. However, if you have serious injuries, you may be able to step outside the no-fault system and bring a claim against the responsible party.
• Can I sue if my loved one died in a truck accident? Yes. If a truck accident leads to a wrongful death, surviving family members may file a wrongful death claim for funeral expenses, lost income, and other losses.

Contact a Miami Truck Accident Attorney at The Florida Law Group Today!

Truck accident claims are complex and high-stakes. Trucking companies and insurers will fight to limit their liability. You deserve a legal team that will advocate strongly for you.

At The Florida Law Group, our Miami truck accident lawyers are ready to help you seek justice. We offer free consultations and work on a contingency fee basis, so you do not pay unless we succeed in your case.

Contact our Miami truck accident lawyers at (833) 899-0310 to get started on your claim!