Injured? Let Mucerino Law Help You

Truck accidents are among the most devastating crashes on Florida's roadways. When an 80,000-pound commercial truck collides with a passenger vehicle, the results are often catastrophic. If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident, you need an experienced Florida truck accident attorney who understands the complexities of these cases and will fight aggressively for your rights.

At Mucerino Law, PLLC, we represent truck accident victims throughout Florida's East Coast. From our Delray Beach office, we handle complex truck accident cases involving serious injuries, wrongful death, and substantial damages. We know how to investigate these cases thoroughly and hold all responsible parties accountable.

Call (561) 960-9870 for Your Free Consultation

Truck accidents represent a significant safety crisis on Florida's roadways. Understanding the statistics helps illustrate why these cases require specialized legal expertise and aggressive representation.

Florida's National Ranking

Florida ranks third nationally, reporting 311 fatal truck accidents, behind only Texas and California. This places Florida among the most dangerous states for truck-related fatalities.

National Truck Accident Context

An estimated 388,000 truck accidents are recorded each year in the US, making up about 6.5% of all reported vehicular collisions. While trucks represent only a small percentage of vehicles on the road, trucks are involved in 11% of all motor vehicle crash deaths.

Devastating Impact on Other Drivers

The statistics reveal a troubling reality: about 70% of all passenger vehicle fatalities involved a large truck. The occupants of the other vehicles — not the truck driver — comprise the vast majority of those losses.

Florida-Specific Data

Recent Florida data shows that in a single year, 27 people died and 126 others suffered incapacitating injuries in truck collisions. Another 372 sustained non-incapacitating injuries and 682 people were reported with possible injuries during that same period.

Location Patterns

61 percent of fatal Florida truck accidents happened in rural areas, though nearly 30 percent of fatal truck crashes occur on interstates. The majority of trucking accidents (60%) occur in rural areas. Nearly one-quarter of these accidents happen at night between 6 pm and 6 am.

Sources: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles

Semi-Truck Accidents

• Tractor-trailer collisions
• Big rig crashes
• 18-wheeler accidents
• Double and triple trailer accidents

Commercial Vehicle Accidents

• Delivery truck crashes (UPS, FedEx, Amazon)
• Box truck accidents
• Straight truck collisions
• Medium-duty truck crashes

Construction Vehicle Accidents

• Cement mixer crashes
• Dump truck accidents
• Crane truck collisions
• Heavy equipment transport accidents

Specialized Commercial Vehicles

• Garbage truck accidents
• Tow truck crashes
• Fuel tanker accidents
• Hazardous material transport crashes

Specific Truck Accident Scenarios

• Jackknife accidents
• Rollover crashes
• Underride accidents
• Rear-end collisions
• Blind spot accidents
• Wide turn accidents
• Runaway truck incidents

Driver Fatigue

Driver fatigue results in an estimated 100,000 crashes annually across all vehicles. Federal Hours of Service regulations limit driving time, but violations are common due to pressure to meet delivery deadlines.

Tire Defects and Blowouts

Nearly one-third of all truck-related crashes are due to tire defects. Poor maintenance, overloaded trucks, and defective tires can cause devastating blowouts at highway speeds.

Speeding

NHTSA data indicates that more than 21 percent of truck drivers involved in fatal crashes have at least one previous speeding conviction. "Speeding of Any Kind" was the most common driver-related factor in fatal truck crashes.

Distracted Driving

For truck drivers, "Distraction/Inattention" was second most common cause after speeding. Cell phone use, GPS devices, and eating while driving are major factors.

Impaired Driving

Around three percent of truck drivers involved in fatal truck accidents were intoxicated. Even small amounts of alcohol or drugs have magnified effects in an 80,000-pound vehicle.

Aggressive Driving

Aggressive driving plays a significant role in 5% of truck accidents. Road rage and aggressive maneuvers are particularly dangerous when involving large trucks.

Improper Loading

• Overweight trucks
• Unbalanced cargo
• Unsecured loads
• Shifting cargo during transport

Mechanical Failures

• Brake failures
• Steering malfunctions
• Transmission problems
• Defective parts

Weather and Road Conditions

• Rain and wet roads
• Fog and reduced visibility
• Construction zones
• Poor road maintenance

 Major Interstate Corridors

• I-95: Heavy truck traffic along the East Coast corridor
• I-75: Major north-south route through central Florida
• I-4: Orlando corridor with heavy tourist and commercial traffic
• I-10: East-west corridor through northern Florida
• Florida's Turnpike: High-speed limited access highway

High-Risk Counties

Based on traffic volume and commercial activity:

• Miami-Dade County: Port traffic and urban congestion
• Broward County: I-95 corridor and Port Everglades
• Orange County: I-4 corridor and tourism-related truck traffic
• Hillsborough County: Port of Tampa and I-75/I-4 intersection

Port Areas

• Port of Miami
• Port Everglades
• Port of Tampa
• Port Canaveral

Industrial and Distribution Centers

• Amazon fulfillment centers
• Major shopping centers
• Industrial parks
• Agricultural areas

Multiple Potentially Liable Parties

Unlike car accidents, truck accident cases often involve multiple defendants:

• Truck driver
• Trucking company
• Truck owner (if different from company)
• Cargo loading company
• Truck manufacturer
• Parts manufacturers
• Maintenance companies
• Government entities (for road defects)

Federal and State Regulations

Truck accident cases involve complex regulations:

• Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) rules
• Hours of Service regulations
• Commercial Driver's License (CDL) requirements
• Drug and alcohol testing requirements
• Vehicle inspection and maintenance standards
• Cargo securement regulations

Evidence Preservation Challenges

Critical evidence in truck accidents includes:

• Electronic Logging Device (ELD) data
• Black box/Event Data Recorder information
• Driver logbooks and records
• Maintenance and inspection records
• Employment and training records
• GPS and fleet management data
• Cell phone records
• Surveillance footage

This evidence can be destroyed or disappear quickly without immediate legal action.

Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)

• Concussions and closed head injuries
• Diffuse axonal injury
• Coup and contrecoup injuries
• Permanent cognitive impairment

Spinal Cord Injuries

• Complete and incomplete paralysis
• Quadriplegia and paraplegia
• Herniated and ruptured discs
• Compressed fractures

Severe Fractures

• Multiple bone fractures
• Compound fractures
• Crush injuries
• Amputations

Internal Injuries

• Organ damage
• Internal bleeding
• Punctured lungs
• Abdominal injuries

Burns and Scarring

• Chemical burns from hazardous cargo
• Fire-related burns
• Severe scarring and disfigurement
• Plastic surgery requirements

Wrongful Death

• Immediate fatalities
• Deaths from injuries
• Loss of consortium claims
• Survival action claims

Minimum Commercial Insurance Requirements

Federal law requires much higher insurance coverage for commercial trucks:

• $750,000 minimum for most commercial trucks
• $1,000,000 for trucks carrying non-hazardous cargo
• $5,000,000 for trucks carrying hazardous materials

No-Fault Law Exceptions

While Florida is a no-fault state, truck accidents often exceed the serious injury threshold, allowing victims to pursue claims against the trucking company.

Comparative Negligence Impact

Florida's modified comparative negligence law applies, but trucking companies often try to shift blame to other drivers unfairly.

Massive Financial Consequences

The average cost of a commercial truck accident with an injury is $148,279, while the average fatal trucking accident costs a staggering $7.2 million.

Historical Cost Data

Based on a government study from 2007, the average cost of crashes involving commercial trucks weighing 10,000 pounds or more was $91,112. In today's dollars, that would be $146,349 per crash.

For crashes involving trucks with two or more trailers, the average cost was $289,549 per crash in 2007. Adjusting for inflation, that's $465,089.

Economic Damages

• Medical expenses (current and future)
• Lost wages and earning capacity
• Disability benefits
• Rehabilitation costs
• Home modifications
• Assistive devices and equipment
• Transportation costs
• Property damage

Non-Economic Damages

• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Loss of consortium
• Permanent disfigurement
• Mental anguish

Punitive Damages

Available when trucking companies or drivers show:

• Gross negligence
• Willful misconduct
• Violations of safety regulations
• Cover-up attempts
• Reckless disregard for safety

Immediate Actions

1. Call 911 immediately for medical help and police
2. Get to safety if possible without worsening injuries
3. Document everything with photos and video
4. Get witness information and statements
5. Don't admit fault or discuss the accident details
6. Seek immediate medical attention

Critical Next Steps

1. Contact an experienced truck accident attorney immediately
2. Preserve evidence before it disappears
3. Don't speak to trucking company representatives
4. Don't sign anything without attorney review
5. Keep detailed medical records
6. Follow all medical treatment recommendations

What NOT to Do

• Don't delay seeking legal representation
• Don't give statements to insurance companies
• Don't accept quick settlement offers
• Don't wait to seek medical treatment
• Don't discuss the case on social media

Specialized Truck Accident Experience

We understand the unique complexities of truck accident cases, including:

• Federal trucking regulations
• Commercial insurance policies
• Multi-party liability issues
• Electronic evidence preservation

Comprehensive Investigation

Our truck accident investigations include:

• Accident reconstruction experts
• Trucking industry specialists
• Medical experts
• Economic damage specialists
• Life care planners

Resources to Fight Major Companies

Trucking companies have teams of lawyers and investigators working immediately. We have the resources to level the playing field, including:

• Immediate evidence preservation
• Expert witness networks
• Advanced litigation technology
• Trial experience

No Fee Unless We Win

We handle all truck accident cases on contingency:

• No upfront costs
• We advance all expenses
• No fees unless we recover compensation
• Free consultation

Statute of Limitations

• Personal injury claims: 2 years from accident date
• Wrongful death claims: 2 years from date of death
• Property damage claims: 4 years from accident date

Federal Claims Considerations

Some truck accident cases may involve federal claims with different deadlines.

Immediate Action Required

Don't wait to contact an attorney. Evidence preservation must begin immediately:

• ELD data may be overwritten after 8 days
• Surveillance footage is often deleted quickly
• Witness memories fade over time
• Physical evidence disappears

Time is critical in truck accident cases. Evidence disappears, witnesses scatter, and trucking companies begin building their defense immediately. Don't face the insurance companies and their teams of lawyers alone.

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Sources: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles