Polk County Truck Accident Lawyer

Tractor-trailer crashes are notoriously traumatizing. If you’ve been injured and need help figuring out what your next step should be, get in touch with a Polk County truck accident attorney today.

When you suffer a serious injury, your entire life can be affected. Not only will you have to deal with the physical consequences associated with your injuries, but you could end up in a difficult financial situation if you are unable to work while recovering.

After a truck wreck, your life is already turned upside-down—it doesn’t need to be made worse by steadily increasing medical bills and household expenses that won’t pay themselves. A Polk County truck accident lawyer with Lopez & Humphries, PA will stop at nothing to secure the compensation you need and deserve.

Who’s at Fault for an 18-Wheeler Wreck?

Many people are tasked with the safety and maintenance of a commercial truck. Anyone who has failed to meet obligations or acted negligently can be held accountable if their actions resulted in a truck accident in Polk County. Depending on the circumstances, the following individuals and entities can be named as liable in truck accident claims:

• The truck driver
• Cargo loaders
• Maintenance technicians
• The truck owner
• Vehicle parts manufacturers
• The company employing the truck driver
• Safety inspectors

In some cases, there are multiple at-fault parties. If this happens, we will bring claims against every at-fault party in an effort to recover maximum compensation in your personal injury claim.

Your Damages Are Recoverable

In calculating how much your claim is worth, it will be important that we consider every way in which your life has been affected by your injuries. The greater the impact, the more you can expect to be awarded. For this reason, your 18-wheeler accident lawyer in Polk County will examine all the economic and non-economic damages you might have suffered.

When we refer to economic damages, we are discussing those losses that have a direct influence on your finances. If you needed to take time off of work and lost wages, or if you are no longer able to retain your pre-injury position and are missing out on bonuses, advancements, and contributions to your retirement savings account, these damages will be included here.

Additionally, we will want to make sure that we consider all of your medical expenses in our calculations.

Once we have a grasp on the extent of your economic damages, we will move on to your non-economic damages, or those that impact your emotional state and lifestyle. Some of the most frequently sought non-economic damages are pain and suffering, loss of companionship and love, the effects of disfigurement, emotional distress, and the loss of enjoyment of life.

What Is the Statute of Limitations for a Truck Accident Lawsuit in Florida?

Under Florida law (Fla. Stat. § 95.11), the deadline to file a personal injury lawsuit following a truck accident is generally two years from the date of the crash. Following tort reform legislation enacted under House Bill 837, Florida shortened the statute of limitations for most negligence claims arising on or after March 24, 2023, from four years to two years.

If a commercial truck accident results in a fatal injury, a wrongful death claim must also be filed within two years of the date of death. Failing to initiate legal action within these statutory time limits almost always results in the permanent loss of your right to pursue financial compensation against the at-fault trucking company or driver.

Commercial Trucking Regulations and Federal Safety Standards

Commercial truck drivers and interstate motor carriers are subject to strict federal oversight enforced by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). When investigating a tractor-trailer collision, establishing liability often depends on proving that the carrier or driver violated safety regulations, including:

• Hours of Service (HOS) Compliance: FMCSA regulations enforce strict driving limits to prevent driver fatigue. Commercial drivers are restricted to a maximum of 11 hours of driving within a 14-hour duty window following 10 consecutive hours off duty.
• Electronic Logging Device (ELD) Data: Federal mandates require commercial trucks to utilize tamper-proof ELDs to automatically record driving hours, speeds, braking history, and GPS locations. Preserving this digital evidence immediately after a crash is critical before data is overwritten or destroyed.
• Vehicle Maintenance and Inspection Protocols: Motor carriers must maintain routine inspection logs and keep brakes, tires, and mechanical systems in safe operating condition. Improper maintenance or overloaded cargo frequently contributes to catastrophic collisions.

How Florida’s Modified Comparative Negligence Law Affects Your Truck Claim

Florida follows a modified comparative negligence system (Fla. Stat. § 768.81) for personal injury claims. Under this law, liability is divided among all parties based on their percentage of fault for the accident, which directly impacts the total compensation you can recover:

• The 51% Fault Bar: You are entitled to recover damages as long as you are 50% or less at fault for the crash. If a jury finds that you bear more than 50% of the responsibility, you are legally barred from recovering any financial compensation from the other party.
• Proportional Reduction of Recovery: If your allocated fault is 50% or less, your total financial award is reduced by your percentage of responsibility. For example, if you are awarded $100,000 in damages but found 20% at fault, your net recovery will be $80,000.

Verified Legal Representation and Florida Bar Credentials

Evaluating complex commercial trucking litigation requires extensive trial experience and a deep understanding of federal motor carrier safety laws. Our attorneys are fully licensed by The Florida Bar and admitted to practice across state and federal courts in Florida.

When selecting legal representation for a severe semi-truck crash, working with trial attorneys recognized for their professional competence, legal ethics, and courtroom proficiency ensures your case is handled with the highest level of legal advocacy.

Our Track Record in Commercial Trucking and Serious Injury Cases

Commercial trucking companies and their corporate insurers aggressively fight severe injury claims. Overcoming their legal teams requires a proven history of securing significant financial recoveries through detailed accident reconstruction, expert witness testimony, and aggressive trial preparation.

Our law firm has successfully recovered millions of dollars on behalf of injury victims throughout Polk County and Central Florida in complex motor vehicle and commercial truck collision cases. To review representative verdicts, negotiated settlements, and client outcomes, visit our Case Results page.

Get in Touch with a Polk County Semi-Truck Accident Attorney

Those who suffer serious injuries in tractor-trailer collisions deserve to have their costs covered by those who caused the crash. When you aren’t sure how to go about obtaining the compensation you need, speak with a knowledgeable lawyer at Lopez & Humphries, PA.

If you work with our firm, you can rest easy knowing that an experienced Polk County truck accident lawyer is advocating for your right to full compensation. Call our office at (863) 774-3573 or fill out the contact form below to schedule your free case assessment today.