Port St. Lucie Truck Accident Attorney

Truck accidents can cause more than just damage to your vehicle. They can cause mental and physical trauma that lingers and even loss of a loved one. At Steinger, Greene & Feiner, our Port St. Lucie truck accident lawyers have helped thousands of victims of truck accidents receive the compensation they deserve for their pain and suffering.   Every case that comes through our door gets personalized attention and care from our attorneys. We know that each case is different, but we stand strong in our conviction and have rightfully earned our place on the Best Law Firms list.   We have the resources, experience, and results to make sure you are not pushed aside by the insurance company.

Why Are Truck Accidents So Severe in Port St. Lucie?

While truck accidents are less common in Port St. Lucie, their consequences are often far more severe compared to other types of collisions. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), trucks accounted for 9% of fatal crashes nationwide in 2022, despite representing only 4% of registered vehicles. In Florida, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) reported over 32,000 commercial vehicle accidents in 2023, with truck-related fatalities increasing by 13% from 2022 to 2024. Survivors frequently suffer severe injuries, making legal claims more complex and resulting in higher compensation. For truck accidents in Port St. Lucie, hiring an experienced attorney is essential to secure fair compensation.

Common Causes of Truck Accidents

Truck accidents often result from a combination of factors, many of which involve violations of both state and federal regulations. In Florida, trucking companies and drivers must comply with laws set by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and the state, covering areas such as driving hours, vehicle maintenance, and safe operation practices.

1. Truck Driver Fatigue: Federal law limits the number of hours a truck driver can be on the road without rest. Drivers must log their hours, and truckers are required to take regular breaks to prevent fatigue. Failure to adhere to these regulations is a leading cause of accidents. We can investigate logbooks and electronic driving records to determine if the driver violated these rules.
2. Texting or Using a Cell Phone: Florida law bans texting while driving for all drivers, and truckers face stricter penalties if caught. Distracted driving is one of the top causes of truck crashes, and it’s crucial to determine whether the driver was using their phone at the time of the crash.
3. Driving Under the Influence (DUI): Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is illegal for all drivers, but commercial drivers face harsher penalties with a lower legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit of 0.04%. We examine police reports and toxicology results to confirm any DUI involvement.
4. Driver Inattention: Inattention on the part of the driver, whether due to distractions, fatigue, or negligence, can lead to devastating accidents. Florida law holds truck drivers responsible for maintaining focus and adhering to safe driving practices.
5. Inadequate Driver Training: Commercial truck drivers are required to undergo extensive training before hitting the road. If a driver has not been properly trained or certified, the trucking company could be held liable. Our team will investigate the training records of the driver involved in your accident.
6. Disobeying State or Federal Laws: Violations of safety laws, whether state-specific or federal, such as speeding or running red lights, can lead to accidents.
7. Improperly Loaded Cargo: Carelessly loaded or unbalanced cargo can cause trucks to lose control or spill materials onto the road, leading to accidents. Florida law requires that cargo is safely secured to prevent such incidents, and we review cargo records and inspection reports to assess liability.
8. Inadequate Safety Inspections: Trucks must undergo regular safety inspections, and drivers are responsible for daily vehicle checks. Failure to conduct these inspections can result in mechanical failures that cause accidents.
9. Poorly Maintained Trucks: Regular maintenance of a truck’s brakes, tires, and other critical components is mandatory under FMCSA regulations. We review maintenance logs to ensure the truck involved in your accident was properly maintained.
10. Defective Trucks or Parts: Sometimes, accidents occur due to manufacturing defects in the truck or its components. In such cases, not only the driver and company but also the manufacturer can be held liable.
11. Violation of Trucking Regulations: Both state and federal regulations, such as the FMCSA Hours of Service rules, are designed to keep roads safe. When truckers or companies disregard these rules, they put everyone at risk.

When these regulations are ignored, accidents occur, leading to severe injuries.

Most Common Type of Injuries Following a Truck Accident

Here are several of the most common injuries our clients suffer in truck accidents.

• Spinal cord injuries are among the most serious injuries one can sustain. These injuries cause damage or severing the spinal cord, resulting in partial paralysis, full paralysis, or death.
• Broken Bones can be painful and debilitating. It can cost you in lost wages, medical care, and possible future lingering issues.
• Back and neck injuries can happen in the form of bruising, lacerations, or muscle strains. These types of injuries can take significant time to heal.
• Head injuries can include concussions, lacerations, or damage to the eyes, nose, or mouth. They can affect brain function, reasoning, and complicate day-to-day activities.
• Wrongful death is potentially the most traumatic injury on the list. Permanently losing a loved one results in loss of enjoyment of life, mental anguish, loss of wages and permanent income, and more.
• Psychological and emotional trauma is known as an invisible injury. People can’t see this injury, though it’s just as real as any other on the list. Anxiety, triggering episodes, and even panic attacks can be a type of psychological and emotional trauma from a truck accident.

What to Do After a Truck Accident

1. Ensure Your Safety: Your health comes first. Get medical attention immediately, even if you feel fine. If you’re injured in a truck accident, health problems from these types of accidents can show up later, and medical records will support your case.
2. Document the Scene: Take photos of the accident, including vehicle damage, road conditions, and any visible injuries. This visual evidence is crucial for proving what happened.
3. Gather Information: Collect contact details from the truck driver, witnesses, and anyone else involved. Get the truck driver’s license and insurance information as well.
4. Call the Police: File an official police report. This will serve as critical evidence in your truck accident claim and help establish the facts of the accident.
5. Avoid Admitting Fault: Be careful in your conversations. Don’t say anything that could be interpreted as admitting fault, even casually.
6. Don’t Speak to Insurance Without an Attorney: The truck company’s insurance may try to settle quickly. Let your attorney handle all communication to protect your rights.
7. Consult a Truck Accident Attorney: An experienced truck crash lawyer will gather evidence, including driver logs and black box data, and ensure all liable parties are held accountable. They’ll help you navigate the legal process and secure the compensation you deserve.

Acting quickly and following these steps will protect your case and maximize your chances for full recovery.

Liability in Truck Accident Cases

Truck accidents often involve multiple parties, making liability complex. The truck driver may be liable for negligence or violating safety regulations, but the trucking company could also be at fault for poor training, inadequate maintenance, or pushing drivers beyond legal hours.
Under vicarious liability, companies are responsible for their employees’ actions while on duty. Other parties, like the shipping company or truck manufacturer, may share liability if improper cargo loading or defective parts contributed to the accident. An attorney will thoroughly investigate, gathering evidence such as driver logs, black box data, and maintenance records to prove fault and ensure every responsible party is held accountable. Prompt action is crucial in these cases to secure the compensation you deserve under Florida’s two-year statute of limitations.

Laws and Regulations in Truck Accidents in Florida

Truck accidents in Port St. Lucie are governed by a combination of Florida state laws and federal regulations set by the FMCSA. These laws control everything from how long truck drivers can be on the road to strict vehicle maintenance requirements. Truck drivers must follow hours-of-service rules, which limit their time behind the wheel to prevent fatigue, and companies are obligated to ensure their vehicles undergo regular safety inspections. If these regulations are violated, the consequences can be devastating.
Truck accident victims can hold drivers and companies accountable when they breach these rules. Working with Port St. Lucie truck accident lawyer familiar with both state and federal trucking laws can make all the difference. They can investigate whether safety regulations were ignored and build a strong case to secure the full compensation you’re owed.

How Commercial Trucking Companies May Be Responsible for Your Accident

It’s not just the driver who might be at fault—the trucking company could be liable too. If the company failed to properly train the driver, didn’t maintain the vehicle, or pushed the driver to break safety regulations, they can share responsibility for the crash. Florida law holds companies accountable for their drivers’ actions while they’re on the job. If you work with an experienced truck accident lawyer in Port St. Lucie, they will thoroughly investigate the company’s practices, ensuring that all parties responsible for your accident are identified and held accountable.

Compensation for Truck Accident

After a truck crash in Florida, regardless of who is liable, you can seek compensation for a variety of damages, including:

• Medical treatment costs, including any necessary future medical expenses
• Lost income if a temporary or permanent absence from work or reduction in earning power results from injuries
• Pain and suffering (physical and emotional distress)
• Emotional distress (psychological trauma, anxiety, etc.)
• Loss of enjoyment of life (impact on your daily activities and quality of life)
• Wrongful death (loss of income and companionship if a loved one passed away).

An experienced attorney will ensure that all these damages are considered, helping you get the full compensation you deserve while you focus on recovering.

Why You Need Truck Accident Attorney

Our truck accident lawyer in Port St. Lucie will help explain all the complicated legal language to make sure you understand exactly what your case is worth. They’ll also stand in for you as a representative and ensure you get what you deserve. Steinger, Greene & Feiner has a history of helping accident victims like you obtain substantial trial verdicts or insurance settlements. Some of our past successful case results involving truck accidents include:

• $8.1 MILLION for our client who was rear-ended by a big rig truck, sustaining severe injuries that resulted in him no longer being able to work. The victim also suffered from mental anguish and a loss of enjoyment of life.
• $4.8 MILLION after our client was involved with an accident including an unsafe homemade trailer and a driver who hit our client after initially striking a school bus.
• $1.4 MILLION for a client who was injured severely in a collision involving several tractor trailers. His injuries required surgery and he suffered an inability to enjoy recreational activities with his son.

Contact Us for a Free Consultation

We at Steiner, Greene & Feiner have an arsenal of 40 attorneys with more than 140 case managers, legal assistants, legal investigators, and support staff. That’s how we are able to give our clients the amount of attention and direction they need to fight for the compensation they deserve. You pay no legal fees unless you win. We will treat your case with the importance it deserves every step of the way. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation. Give us a call at (772) 200-4696 or visit our location at 507 NW Lake Whitney Pl, Port St. Lucie, FL 34986. Trucking companies are on the hook for improperly trained drivers which may cause an accident.