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Alondra O.
Outstanding Attorneys and Legal Team. Lopez, Justin, and Daisy were quick to answer my questions and handled my accident case with speed and courtesy. The outcome was much better than I anticipated.
Robert R.
A huge thanks to your office for such a great experience with my case. Special thanks to Denora, Carmen, and especially Kevin for answering my many calls and questions and keeping me informed through the entire process. I’m am extremely happy and grateful with the outcome.
Kathy W.
Traffic crawls. Flashing lights appear in the distance. Up ahead, a tractor-trailer is angled across multiple lanes. For many Florida drivers, this kind of scene no longer feels rare, especially throughout Central Florida.
Collisions involving large commercial trucks are happening more often, and the consequences are usually serious. These wrecks can close major roads for hours, send people to emergency rooms and trauma centers, and leave families coping with injuries that take months, or longer, to recover from.
If it seems like semi-truck crashes are everywhere, it’s not just a feeling. Florida’s crash reporting supports what drivers are witnessing. Knowing why these crashes are rising can help explain the risk on the roads and why it’s important to make careful choices after a truck accident.
Florida Is Experiencing a Measurable Increase in Truck-Related Crashes
Florida is now among the states with the highest number of crashes involving commercial vehicles, including semi-trucks. In the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) “By the Numbers” report released in early 2024, the state documented 46,651 crashes involving commercial motor vehicles and 315 traffic fatalities tied to those crashes. Notably, these wrecks accounted for close to 10% of statewide traffic deaths, even though commercial vehicles represent a smaller portion of vehicles on the road.
Although reporting approaches can shift slightly from year to year, the larger trend remains consistent: commercial vehicle crashes are increasingly connected to Florida’s most severe and fatal roadway incidents. More shipping and delivery traffic, rapid population growth, congestion on key corridors, and constant road construction all raise exposure and risk.
Why Semi-Truck Accidents Are Increasing in Florida
Florida’s Growth Is Overloading Key Highways
Florida’s population boom has added more cars to the road and increased demand for deliveries and freight movement. The U.S. Census Bureau reports Florida gained more than 467,000 residents from 2023 to 2024, placing added strain on already busy roadways.
Truck Drivers Face Intense Time Pressure
The trucking industry continues to operate under tight schedules and ongoing workforce challenges. Many drivers are paid by the mile, not by the hour, which can push longer drives and fewer breaks.
Fatigue is a major factor in serious truck crashes. When a driver is exhausted, reaction time and judgment drop, and attention fades, conditions that become far more dangerous in heavy traffic or bad weather.
Distraction Behind the Wheel Is a Growing Problem
Modern trucking relies on technology, GPS, dispatch messaging, electronic logs, and other in-cab systems. While these tools help drivers do their jobs, they also create constant opportunities for distraction.
With a semi-truck’s size and stopping distance, even a momentary lapse can be catastrophic, especially when traffic suddenly slows, lanes shift near construction, or vehicles merge unexpectedly.
Many Deadly Truck Crashes Happen in Broad Daylight
One surprising takeaway from Florida crash data is when fatal commercial vehicle crashes occur. More than half happen between 6 a.m. and 7 p.m., not late at night.
That includes:
- Morning commute hours (7–9 a.m.)
- Evening commute hours (4–7 p.m.)
- Friday afternoons, which see the highest crash frequency
This means ordinary drivers, commuters, families on school runs, and people heading home from work, are regularly exposed to these risks.
Non-Interstate Roads Can Be Even More Hazardous
Interstates get the attention, but more than half of Florida’s fatal truck crashes take place on non-interstate roads.
Routes like US 441, State Road 60, which runs right through Polk County, specifically Mulberry, Bartow & Lake Wales, and Florida’s Turnpike can be especially dangerous because they often involve:
- Higher speeds
- Limited medians or barriers
- Narrow shoulders
- Frequent intersections and direct access points
On these roads, a small mistake by a truck driver can quickly become a deadly event.
Maintenance Problems and Mechanical Failures Still Occur
Commercial trucks are required to be inspected and maintained, but not every company follows safety rules consistently. Brake issues, tire blowouts, steering failures, and overloaded trailers remain common contributors to serious crashes.
Federal safety standards enforced by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration are intended to reduce these risks. When maintenance is ignored or corners are cut, unsafe trucks can end up sharing the road with everyone else.
Florida Weather Raises the Stakes
Heavy rain, reduced visibility, and slick pavement are a bad mix for any vehicle, but they’re especially dangerous for large, loaded trucks that need more distance to stop.
During storms, chain-reaction collisions can occur when trucks hydroplane or jackknife. December often ranks among higher-risk months due to holiday travel, heavier traffic, and unpredictable weather. Even after the holidays, those same factors help explain why truck-related dangers persist year-round in Florida.
Why Semi-Truck Accidents Often Lead to Severe Injuries
The size and weight gap between a semi-truck and a passenger vehicle is massive. A fully loaded tractor-trailer can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, far more than the typical car or SUV.
Because of that force, truck crashes frequently result in life-altering harm, including:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Multiple fractures
- Internal injuries and organ damage
- Serious burns
- Long-term emotional and psychological trauma
Recovery can be long and expensive, and some injuries never fully resolve.
Who May Be Responsible After a Florida Truck Crash
Truck accident claims are rarely straightforward. Responsibility may rest with more than one party, including:
- The truck driver
- The trucking company
- A cargo loading contractor
- A repair or maintenance provider
- A vehicle or parts manufacturer
- Other drivers who caused or contributed to a chain reaction
These cases often require reviewing driver logs, vehicle maintenance records, electronic trucking data, and crash reports prepared by agencies like the Florida Highway Patrol.
Because critical evidence can be lost or overwritten quickly, getting guidance early can make a meaningful difference.
Who Can Be Sued After a Trucking Accident in Florida?
In many semi-truck cases, liability may extend well beyond the driver. Trucking collisions often involve multiple companies, contractors, and insurers, making them very different from typical car accident claims.
What Injured Drivers Should Do After a Semi-Truck Crash
Get Medical Attention Right Away
Some injuries take time to appear. Prompt treatment (within 14 days from the accident) protects your health and creates medical documentation that can matter later.
Ensure the Crash Is Officially Reported
A law enforcement report can preserve key details and create an important record of what happened.
Gather Evidence If You Can Do So Safely
Photos, video, and witness contact information can become extremely important as the case unfolds.
Be Cautious With Insurance Adjusters
Trucking insurers often move fast. What you say early on can be used to reduce or deny a claim.
Talk With a Florida Truck Accident Attorney
Truck accident cases can involve complex liability, multiple insurance policies, and well-funded defense teams. Legal support can help protect your rights and keep the process from tilting against you.
If you or someone you love was injured in a semi-truck crash in Florida, the attorneys at López & Humphries, PA are ready to help you understand your options. We handle the legal pressure, insurance companies, medical billing issues, and the parties responsible, so you can focus on healing. Your case review is free, there’s no obligation to move forward, and you pay nothing unless we win. Virtual appointments and remote signups are available, making it easy to get started
