Tractor-Trailer Crashes
Collisions involving semi-trucks, 18-wheelers and large commercial combinations.
St. Johns Law Group · St. Augustine, Florida
St. Augustine Truck Accident Lawyers
Commercial Truck Claims. Serious Injuries. Trial-Ready Representation.
Injured in a semi-truck, tractor-trailer or commercial vehicle crash in St. Augustine or Northeast Florida? St. Johns Law Group helps injured people investigate what happened, identify potentially responsible parties, evaluate insurance coverage, preserve evidence and pursue compensation available under Florida law.
Truck accident claims can be substantially more complex than ordinary passenger-vehicle collisions because the driver, motor carrier, vehicle, cargo, maintenance history and commercial insurance may all require investigation.
Were You Injured in a Truck Crash?
Commercial trucking evidence can be especially time-sensitive. Electronic records, vehicle data, logs and other information should be identified and preserved when relevant.
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Free initial truck-accident consultation.
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No attorney's fee unless compensation is recovered.
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Investigation of drivers, carriers and available coverage.
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Local St. Augustine representation backed by a litigation team.
Commercial Truck & Tractor-Trailer Claims
Truck Accident Claims Can Involve More Than the Driver
A collision involving an 18-wheeler or commercial vehicle can raise questions that do not arise in a typical two-car accident.
The truck driver may be only one part of the investigation. Depending on the facts, the motor carrier, employer, maintenance provider, cargo contractor, equipment owner or other entity may also possess relevant evidence or potentially bear responsibility.
Commercial policies may also carry different coverage structures and limits than ordinary automobile policies.
- Truck-driver conduct and qualification records
- Motor-carrier policies and procedures
- Hours-of-service and electronic log information
- Vehicle inspection and maintenance records
- Electronic vehicle and crash data
- Commercial liability and excess insurance coverage
Commercial Vehicle Collisions
Truck Accident Cases We Handle
Commercial-vehicle crashes can involve driver conduct, carrier operations, equipment condition, cargo and roadway circumstances.
Rear-End Truck Collisions
Heavy commercial vehicles striking stopped or slowing traffic.
Unsafe Lane Changes
Blind spots, merging errors and commercial vehicles entering occupied lanes.
Jackknife Accidents
Trailer movement that causes the tractor and trailer to fold at an angle across travel lanes.
Rollover Accidents
Crashes potentially involving speed, load distribution, maneuvering or vehicle conditions.
Driver Fatigue
Claims in which driving time, rest periods or driver alertness may become relevant.
Mechanical Failure
Brake, tire, steering, lighting or other equipment issues that may contribute to a collision.
Improperly Loaded Cargo
Load shifting, unsecured cargo and weight-distribution issues.
Fatal Truck Crashes
Wrongful-death claims arising from catastrophic commercial vehicle accidents.
Personal Injury Counsel
Personal Representation Backed by a Litigation Team
Joshua R. Saxon · Personal Injury & Civil LitigationJoshua R. Saxon leads St. Johns Law Group's personal injury practice and represents clients in truck accident, automobile injury and civil litigation matters.
Commercial truck cases can require detailed investigation of drivers, carriers, insurance coverage, electronic records, vehicle history, witnesses, medical evidence and disputed liability.
- Personal injury and civil litigation practice
- More than 18 years of litigation experience
- Licensed in Florida and Georgia
- State and federal court litigation experience
- Supported by St. Johns Law Group's broader litigation team
After a Commercial Truck Crash
Five Steps That Can Help Protect Your Health and Your Claim
Early action can be particularly important when commercial vehicles, businesses and electronic records are involved.
Get Medical Care
Prompt medical evaluation protects your health and documents accident-related injuries.
Report the Crash
Preserve crash-report information and the identities of the truck, driver and carrier.
Preserve Evidence
Save photographs, video, witness information, vehicle damage and commercial identifying information.
Be Careful With Insurers
Commercial carriers and insurers may begin investigating immediately after a serious crash.
Get Legal Review
Early review may help identify defendants, coverage and evidence that should be preserved.
Preserving Commercial Truck Evidence
A Truck Crash Investigation Can Extend Far Beyond the Police Report
Commercial trucking operations can generate records that may help explain what occurred before a collision.
Depending on the vehicle and circumstances, potentially relevant evidence may include electronic logging information, dispatch records, inspection and maintenance records, driver qualification materials, electronic vehicle data, photographs, video and witness testimony.
Trucking evidence can be time-sensitive.
Promptly identifying potentially relevant electronic and business records can be important when investigating a serious commercial vehicle collision.
- Electronic logging device and duty-status records
- Dispatch and trip records
- Driver qualification information
- Inspection and maintenance records
- ECM or other available electronic vehicle data
- Dash-camera and surveillance video
- Truck and trailer photographs
- Witness statements and crash-scene evidence
Multiple Potential Parties
Who May Be Responsible for a Commercial Truck Accident?
Responsibility depends on the facts. A commercial truck claim can involve more entities than a typical passenger-car collision.
The Truck Driver
Driver conduct such as speed, distraction, fatigue, following distance, lane movement or impairment may become relevant.
The Motor Carrier
Carrier policies, supervision, qualification practices, dispatch decisions and other operational conduct may require investigation.
Maintenance & Equipment Providers
Inspection, repair, brake, tire or other maintenance issues may become relevant when equipment condition contributed to the crash.
Cargo & Other Contractors
Depending on the facts, cargo loading, trailer ownership, leasing or other commercial relationships may need to be evaluated.
Commercial Trucking Issues
Federal Records and Commercial Insurance Can Matter
Trucking cases may involve commercial records and regulations that are not present in an ordinary automobile claim.
Hours of Service & Electronic Logs
Covered commercial drivers may be subject to federal hours-of-service and electronic logging requirements. Those records may become relevant when driver fatigue or driving time is disputed.
Vehicle Inspection & Maintenance
The condition of brakes, tires, lights and other equipment may become important when mechanical condition allegedly contributed to the collision.
Commercial Insurance
Commercial liability programs may include primary, excess or other potentially applicable coverage that should be evaluated from the actual policies.
Comparative Fault
Trucking defendants may dispute how the collision occurred or argue that another driver contributed to the accident. Liability should be analyzed from the available evidence.
Regulations do not automatically determine liability.
The application and significance of federal or state requirements depend on the particular driver, vehicle, carrier and facts involved.
Serious Injury Claims
Truck Crashes Can Cause Catastrophic Injuries
The size and weight differences between commercial trucks and passenger vehicles can contribute to substantial injury in serious collisions.
Traumatic Brain Injuries
Head trauma ranging from concussions to serious neurological injuries.
Spinal Injuries
Spinal cord, vertebral, disc and other serious back or neck injuries.
Fractures
Broken bones and orthopedic injuries resulting from substantial impact forces.
Internal Injuries
Trauma involving organs, internal bleeding and other serious complications.
Crush Injuries
Severe injuries caused by vehicle intrusion, compression or entrapment.
Burn Injuries
Burn or smoke-related injuries where a collision results in fire or hazardous conditions.
Permanent Impairment
Long-term physical limitations affecting work, mobility and daily life.
Fatal Injuries
Wrongful-death claims involving qualifying survivors and the estate.
Evaluating Losses
What Compensation May Be Available?
Recoverable damages depend on liability, injuries, insurance, causation, applicable law and supporting evidence.
Medical Expenses
Hospital, physician, surgery, therapy and other accident-related treatment.
Future Medical Care
Reasonably anticipated future treatment and rehabilitation.
Lost Income
Income lost because injuries prevented or limited employment.
Loss of Earning Capacity
Future economic loss when injuries reduce the ability to earn income.
Pain & Suffering
Non-economic damages where available under Florida law.
Permanent Injury
Damages associated with lasting impairment, limitations or disfigurement.
Property Damage
Damage to passenger vehicles and other property caused by the collision.
Wrongful Death
Separate damages may be available following a fatal commercial truck crash.
What Happens Next?
The Truck Accident Claim Process
Commercial truck cases may require a broader investigation before meaningful settlement discussions can occur.
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Consultation
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Evidence Preservation
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Carrier Investigation
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Coverage Review
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Claim Preparation
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Negotiation
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Litigation When Needed
Full-Firm Legal Resources
Serious Truck Cases Can Require Litigation Depth
Commercial defendants may have investigators, insurers and counsel working on the claim early.
St. Johns Law Group's personal injury practice is supported by a broader team of civil litigators and legal professionals. When a truck claim requires extensive discovery, depositions, experts, motion practice, mediation, trial preparation or courtroom advocacy, those resources are available within the same firm.
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3 Jury Trials • 3 Months • 3 Wins
Recent civil jury-trial experience across the SJLG litigation team.
Every matter is different. Past results do not guarantee or predict a similar result in any future case.
Related Personal Injury Matters
Explore Related Accident Resources
Truck Accident FAQs
Common Questions After a Florida Truck Accident
How is a truck accident claim different from a car accident claim?
A commercial truck case may involve a motor carrier, employer,
commercial insurance, driver qualification records, hours-of-service
information, maintenance records, electronic data and other evidence
not normally present in a typical passenger-car claim.
Who can be responsible for a semi-truck accident?
Responsibility depends on the facts. Potentially relevant parties may
include the driver, motor carrier, employer, equipment owner,
maintenance provider, cargo contractor or another entity whose
conduct contributed to the collision.
What is an electronic logging device?
An electronic logging device, commonly called an ELD, is used by
covered commercial drivers to record required duty-status information.
Those records may become relevant when driving time or fatigue is at
issue.
What truck records may be important after a crash?
Depending on the circumstances, relevant evidence may include
electronic logs, dispatch records, driver qualification records,
inspection and maintenance records, electronic vehicle data, video,
photographs and insurance information.
What if the trucking company says its driver was not responsible?
Liability should be evaluated from the available evidence rather than
solely from the position taken by a driver, carrier or insurer. Crash
evidence, electronic data, witnesses and commercial records may all
become relevant.
How long do I have to file a truck accident lawsuit in Florida?
Florida generally provides a two-year limitations period for
negligence actions, but different deadlines and exceptions may apply
depending on the defendant and circumstances. Important trucking
evidence can disappear well before the legal filing deadline.
How much is a truck accident case worth?
There is no universal formula. Liability, severity of injury, future
medical needs, lost earnings, permanent impairment, insurance
coverage, comparative fault and available evidence can all affect
value.
Will a truck accident case go to trial?
Many claims resolve without trial. Litigation may become necessary
when the parties disagree about fault, injuries, causation, insurance
coverage or the amount of compensation.
Florida Personal Injury Resources
Guides, FAQs & Injury Tools
FAQ Center
Florida Personal Injury FAQs
Answers concerning insurance, claims, damages, deadlines and litigation.
View FAQs → Florida LawComparative Negligence in Florida
Learn how allegations of shared fault may affect a Florida injury claim.
Learn More → Interactive ToolFlorida Personal Injury Settlement Calculator
Explore factors that may influence the potential value of an injury claim. Educational purposes only.
Open Calculator →
Recent Legal Insights
Recent Truck Accident & Personal Injury Articles
Recent guidance from St. Johns Law Group concerning commercial vehicle crashes, insurance, comparative fault and serious injury claims.
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Northeast Florida
Local Representation for St. Augustine & Northeast Florida
Northeast Florida's interstate highways, major state roads and commercial corridors carry substantial truck and delivery traffic.
St. Johns Law Group is based in St. Augustine and represents injured clients throughout St. Johns County and surrounding Northeast Florida communities.
Whether a commercial-vehicle collision occurs on I-95, U.S. 1, State Road 16, State Road 207 or another Northeast Florida roadway, our personal injury team can evaluate the crash and available legal options.
St. Johns County
St. Augustine, St. Augustine Beach, Ponte Vedra, Nocatee, Silverleaf, World Golf Village, Fruit Cove, Julington Creek, Hastings and Elkton.
Flagler County
Palm Coast, Flagler Beach, Bunnell and nearby communities.
Duval County
Jacksonville, Jacksonville Beach, Mandarin, San Marco, Southside and surrounding communities.
Clay & Putnam Counties
Green Cove Springs, Fleming Island, Middleburg, Palatka, East Palatka and surrounding communities.
Free Truck Accident Consultation
Injured? Talk With a St. Augustine Truck Accident Lawyer.
Tell us what happened. Our legal team can review the commercial vehicle crash, injuries, available insurance and potential next steps.
Telephone
(904) 495-0400
Email
info@sjlawgroup.com
Personal injury matters may be handled on a contingency-fee basis. The written representation agreement controls the actual fee arrangement, costs and other terms.
Contact St. Johns Law Group
Tell Us About Your Truck Accident
Provide basic information about the crash and your injuries.
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