Don’t Get Trucked Over: Expert Semi-Truck Accident Lawyers in Hollywood

When You Need a Hollywood Semi-Truck Accident Lawyer Most

A hollywood semi-truck accident lawyer can help you steer the complex claims process after a collision involving a large commercial truck. These cases often involve multiple liable parties, aggressive insurance companies, and intricate federal regulations. An experienced attorney can help you secure compensation for medical expenses and lost wages on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless you win.

The roads around Hollywood, Florida, including I-95 and the Florida Turnpike, see heavy commercial traffic. In 2021, Broward County reported 4,111 commercial motor vehicle crashes, leading to 820 injuries and 12 deaths. When an 80,000-pound semi-truck collides with a passenger car, the results are often catastrophic, causing severe injuries like traumatic brain damage or spinal cord injuries.

Unlike a standard car accident, a truck crash case involves navigating complex federal trucking laws (FMCSA rules), dealing with powerful corporate legal teams, and preserving crucial evidence like black box data. With a strict two-year statute of limitations in Florida, act quickly to protect your rights. A qualified attorney understands these challenges and can be a strong advocate for you.

Why Collisions with Semi-Trucks Are So Severe

When a semi-truck collides with a passenger car, the physics involved explain why the results are so often devastating. A fully loaded commercial truck can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, dwarfing a typical car and transferring catastrophic force upon impact.

Several factors contribute to the severity of these accidents:

Weight Disparity: The immense weight difference means passenger vehicles absorb the majority of the impact, leading to severe damage and injuries.
Increased Stopping Distance: A loaded semi traveling at 65 mph needs nearly the length of two football fields to stop, making it difficult to avoid sudden hazards.
High Center of Gravity: This makes trucks more susceptible to rollovers, which can crush smaller vehicles and block entire roadways.

These factors frequently lead to life-altering injuries for those in smaller vehicles.

Common Injuries in Hollywood Truck Accidents

The force of a truck accident can cause injuries that require extensive, long-term medical care. Victims often face:

Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI): Ranging from concussions to permanent brain damage, affecting memory, concentration, and motor skills.
Spinal Cord Injuries: These can result in partial or complete paralysis, requiring lifelong care and significant lifestyle adjustments.
Severe Fractures and Internal Injuries: Complex broken bones and damage to internal organs often necessitate multiple surgeries and lengthy rehabilitation.
Burns: If a fire or fuel spill occurs, victims can suffer severe burns that cause permanent scarring and excruciating pain.
Psychological Trauma: Beyond physical injuries, many survivors experience PTSD, anxiety, and a lasting fear of driving. For more on this, see our post on The Psychological Effects of Truck Accidents on Victims How a Truck Accident Lawyer in Boca Raton Can Help.

The combination of medical bills, lost wages, and the emotional toll can be overwhelming. A Hollywood semi-truck accident lawyer understands the full impact of these injuries and can help you pursue the compensation needed for your recovery.

Determining Fault: Common Causes and Liable Parties

Unlike a typical car accident, a semi-truck crash often involves multiple parties who could be held responsible. A Hollywood semi-truck accident lawyer can investigate to determine who is at fault.

Common Causes and Potentially Liable Parties:

Driver Negligence: This is a frequent cause, including speeding, distracted driving, impaired driving, or violating federal Hours of Service rules designed to prevent driver fatigue.
Trucking Company Liability: The company may be liable for negligent hiring, poor training, or pressuring drivers to meet unsafe deadlines. They are also responsible for proper vehicle maintenance. This is known as vicarious liability.
Improper Cargo Loading: If cargo is not secured correctly, it can shift and cause the driver to lose control. The company that loaded the truck may be at fault.
Defective Parts: A crash caused by faulty brakes, tires, or other components could lead to a product liability claim against the part manufacturer.
Maintenance Failures: Third-party companies that perform maintenance on trucks can be held liable if their negligence leads to a mechanical failure and an accident.

A thorough investigation is key to identifying all responsible parties. For more details on this topic, read our post on Common Causes of Truck Accidents and How a Miami Truck Crash Attorney Can Help.

Critical Steps to Take After a Hollywood Truck Accident

The moments after a semi-truck accident are chaotic, but the steps you take can significantly impact your health and legal rights.

Here’s what to do:

Prioritize Safety: If possible, move your vehicle to a safe location. If not, turn on your hazard lights and stay inside until help arrives.
Call 911: Report the accident and request medical assistance. A police report and medical evaluation are crucial, even if you feel fine, as adrenaline can mask serious injuries.
Document Everything: Use your phone to take photos and videos of the scene, including vehicle damage, license plates, road conditions, and any visible injuries.
Exchange Information: Get the truck driver’s name, contact details, insurance information, and the name of their trucking company. Also, collect contact information from any witnesses.
Do Not Admit Fault: Avoid saying anything that could be interpreted as an admission of guilt, like “I’m sorry.” Stick to the facts when speaking with the police.
Be Cautious with Insurers: Report the accident to your own insurance company, but do not give a recorded statement or sign anything from the trucking company’s insurer without legal advice. Their goal is to minimize their payout.

Understanding Florida’s Statute of Limitations

In Florida, you have a limited time to file a lawsuit after a truck accident. This deadline is known as the statute of limitations. According to Florida Statutes § 95.11, you generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury claim.

This two-year window can pass quickly while you are focused on recovery. Building a strong truck accident case requires time to investigate, gather evidence, and negotiate. It is critical to contact a Hollywood semi-truck accident lawyer as soon as possible to ensure you don’t miss this important deadline and to begin preserving crucial evidence. For more on this, see our insights on Immediate Action Truck Accident Lawyer.

How a Hollywood Semi-Truck Accident Lawyer Builds Your Case

Building a strong truck accident claim requires a detailed and strategic approach. At The Barzakay Law Firm, we handle the legal complexities so you can focus on your recovery. We offer a free case evaluation and work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay no fees unless we win your case.

Our process includes:

Thorough Investigation: We immediately work to preserve critical evidence, such as the truck’s “black box” data, driver logs, and maintenance records. This evidence is vital for proving negligence and is often time-sensitive. We also analyze police reports, witness statements, and may work with accident reconstructionists to build a clear picture of what happened. For more on this, see our post on Miami Truck Accident Lawyer Black Box Data.
Navigating Federal Regulations: Trucking is a federally regulated industry. We investigate potential violations of Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) rules, such as those governing driver hours, vehicle inspections, and cargo securement. Proving a violation can be key to establishing liability. Learn more about The Critical Role of Truck Accident Lawyers in Addressing Federal Compliance and Safety Violations.
Calculating Full Damages: We work to identify all your losses to ensure you seek fair compensation. This includes:
- Economic Damages: Medical bills (current and future), lost wages, diminished earning capacity, and property damage.
- Non-Economic Damages: Pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life.
- Punitive Damages: In cases of extreme negligence, we may pursue these to punish the at-fault party.

We handle all communications with insurance companies, protecting you from lowball offers and fighting for your full recovery. Learn more about Insurance Coverage Truck Accident Lawyer in Hollywood.

Frequently Asked Questions about Hollywood Truck Accident Claims

We understand you have many questions after a traumatic event like a semi-truck accident. Here are answers to some common concerns we hear from clients in Hollywood and across South Florida.

What if the trucking company or their insurer tries to blame me for the accident?

It’s a common tactic for trucking companies and their insurers to shift blame to reduce their financial liability. Florida operates under a comparative negligence system, meaning you can still recover damages even if you are found partially at fault. However, your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault. If you are found to be more than 50% at fault, you cannot recover any compensation. This makes it vital to have a lawyer who can build a strong case and defend you against unfair accusations of blame.

Can I sue multiple parties for my truck accident?

Yes. Truck accidents often involve multiple responsible parties. Our goal is to identify every individual or entity whose negligence contributed to your injuries. This could include:

The truck driver for actions like speeding or distracted driving.
The trucking company for negligent hiring, poor maintenance, or pressuring drivers.
The manufacturer of a defective truck part.
The company responsible for loading the cargo.

A thorough investigation is crucial to uncover all potential defendants and improve your chances of recovering full compensation. For more on this, check out our guide on finding a Lawyer for Semi Truck Accident.

What types of compensation can I recover?

Compensation in a truck accident claim is intended to cover all your losses, both financial and personal. These are generally categorized into two types:

Economic Damages: These are tangible financial losses, such as medical bills (past and future), lost wages, reduced earning capacity, and property damage.
Non-Economic Damages: These compensate for non-monetary losses, including pain and suffering, emotional distress, disfigurement, and loss of enjoyment of life.

Get the Guidance You Need for Your Hollywood Truck Accident Claim

The aftermath of a semi-truck accident is overwhelming. While you focus on recovery, let us handle the legal fight. The Barzakay Law Firm has helped accident victims across South Florida, from Hollywood to Miami and Boca Raton, steer complex truck accident claims. We understand the tactics used by trucking companies and their insurers, and we are committed to protecting your rights.

We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing unless we win your case. Our team will investigate your accident, gather evidence, and fight for the full compensation you deserve for your medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering.

You don’t have to face this alone. Let us handle the legal burdens so you can focus on healing.

Contact a Hollywood Truck Accident Lawyer for a free consultation. There is no obligation, just clear guidance on your next steps.

Contact Us

Practice Areas