Why You Need a Truck Accident Lawyer in Hollywood, Florida
If you’ve been injured in a crash involving a commercial truck, finding the right truck accident lawyer in hollywood can make the difference between recovering full compensation and settling for far less than you deserve.
Key reasons to hire a Hollywood truck accident lawyer:
- Complex liability – Multiple parties may be responsible (driver, trucking company, maintenance providers, cargo loaders)
- Federal regulations – Commercial trucks must follow strict FMCSA rules that don’t apply to regular cars
- Severe injuries – Trucks weighing up to 80,000 pounds cause catastrophic damage
- Aggressive insurers – Trucking companies have legal teams working to minimize payouts
- Two-year deadline – Florida law gives you only two years to file a claim
- Higher compensation – Truck accident cases often involve larger settlements due to severe injuries and multiple liable parties
Hollywood is in a busy commercial corridor. In 2021, Broward County saw 4,111 commercial motor vehicle crashes, a 27% increase from the prior year, causing 820 injuries and 12 deaths.
When a semi-truck hits a passenger car, the results are devastating. Victims often face catastrophic injuries like traumatic brain damage or spinal injuries. Meanwhile, trucking companies immediately deploy legal teams to protect their interests.
You need an advocate who understands Florida law and federal trucking regulations. A qualified attorney will investigate, preserve evidence like driver logs and black box data, identify all at-fault parties, and fight for the compensation you’re owed.
First Steps to Take After a Truck Accident in Hollywood
The moments after a truck accident are overwhelming, but the actions you take can significantly impact your physical and financial recovery.
Here’s what you need to do.
Call 911 immediately. An official police report is critical evidence for your claim. Paramedics must be dispatched for any injuries.
If safe, move your vehicle out of traffic to prevent another collision on busy roads like I-95.
Get medical attention right away, even if you feel okay. Adrenaline can mask serious injuries like internal bleeding, whiplash, or concussions that may not show symptoms for hours or days.
This is also a legal requirement. Florida law requires you to seek medical care within 14 days to use your Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits. Waiting longer allows insurers to argue your injuries aren’t serious or related to the crash.
Document everything. If able, use your phone to photograph the scene: vehicle positions, damage, injuries, skid marks, road conditions, and traffic signs. Get clear photos of the truck’s license plate, company name, and DOT numbers.
Exchange information with the truck driver and any witnesses. Get names, contact info, driver’s license numbers, and insurance details. Don’t rely solely on the police report.
Never admit fault. Even a simple “I’m sorry” can be twisted by insurance companies into an admission of liability. Stick to the facts when speaking with police.
Don’t sign anything or give recorded statements to insurance companies without talking to a truck accident lawyer in hollywood first. The trucking company’s insurer will contact you quickly, and their goal is to get you to say something that weakens your claim.
Politely refer them to your attorney. You can find more information about what to do after an accident here. The sooner you have legal protection, the stronger your case will be. Truck accidents are complex, involving federal rules and aggressive insurers; you need an advocate on your side from day one.
Why Truck Accident Claims Are More Complex Than Car Wrecks
When a commercial truck is involved in a crash, the legal complexity and stakes are much higher, making the path to compensation more challenging than in a typical car wreck.
The size disparity is staggering: a loaded truck can weigh 80,000 pounds, twenty times more than a 4,000-pound car. Collisions are often catastrophic for those in the smaller vehicle, with 4,014 Americans killed in large truck crashes in 2020.
This leads to severe injuries, higher medical bills, and complex damage calculations. Because the potential compensation is substantial, trucking companies and their insurers fight hard to minimize payouts.
Unlike car accidents, truck crashes often involve multiple liable parties, which can include the driver, the trucking company, and others.
Commercial trucks are governed by strict federal regulations from the FMCSA, covering driver hours, cargo security, and more. A violation can be crucial evidence, but it requires a lawyer who understands this complex legal framework. You can learn more about how we handle these issues in our article on trucking law firms.
Aggressive insurance companies present another hurdle. Trucking policies are often worth $1 million or more, so insurers employ teams to protect their bottom line. They may even send investigators to the scene immediately to gather evidence that favors them.
Finally, the complex evidence in these cases includes driver logs, black box data, and maintenance records. This information can disappear if not preserved quickly, which is why hiring a truck accident lawyer in hollywood right away is so important.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents in South Florida
In South Florida, certain factors repeatedly cause devastating truck crashes on busy highways like I-95.
Driver fatigue is a common cause. Despite federal rules, companies may push drivers to meet unrealistic deadlines. A drowsy driver’s reaction time is as impaired as a drunk driver’s, which is a recipe for disaster in an 80,000-pound truck.
Distracted driving, from texting to adjusting a GPS, is deadly. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported 3,142 deaths from distracted driving in 2020, with consequences being even more severe for commercial trucks.
Speeding is dangerous because a fully loaded truck needs the length of two football fields to stop. Exceeding speed limits leaves no time to react and avoid a collision.
Driving under the influence is a serious issue. The BAC limit for commercial drivers is 0.04%, half the limit for regular drivers, because even small amounts of alcohol or drugs can impair their ability to operate a large truck safely.
Improper maintenance can cause catastrophic failures of brakes, tires, or steering. Trucking companies and their maintenance providers are responsible for keeping vehicles safe.
Overloaded or improperly secured cargo can shift, causing the truck to jackknife, roll over, or spill. This creates extreme danger on the highway. For more detailed information on these and other causes, check out our article on common causes of truck accidents in Hollywood.
Identifying All Potentially Liable Parties
Identifying all responsible parties is crucial for recovering full compensation. Unlike a car wreck, a truck accident can have an extensive list of liable parties.
- The truck driver is directly responsible if their negligence (e.g., speeding, distraction) caused the crash.
- The trucking company is often liable for the driver’s actions. They can also be directly negligent for poor training, pressuring drivers to violate safety rules, or failing to maintain their fleet.
- Cargo loaders can be held accountable if improperly loaded or secured cargo contributed to the accident.
- Maintenance companies are liable if faulty repairs or neglected service led to the crash.
- Parts manufacturers may be responsible if a defective component, like brakes or tires, caused the accident.
- Government entities can share liability if poor road maintenance, flawed design, or malfunctioning signals contributed to the crash.
A truck accident lawyer in hollywood has the skill to investigate and identify all these parties, which is key to maximizing your compensation.
Understanding Your Rights and Critical Deadlines
Commercial trucking operates under strict rules from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Understanding these regulations is key, as violations often prove negligence in an accident claim.
FMCSA regulations cover critical areas. Hours-of-Service rules limit driving time to prevent fatigue. Drug and alcohol testing standards are stricter for commercial drivers, with a 0.04% BAC limit and random testing. The FMCSA also mandates detailed maintenance logs to prove vehicles are roadworthy.
Black box data from a truck’s Electronic Logging Device is invaluable evidence. It records speed, braking, and hours of service, providing an objective account of the moments before a crash. You can review the complete federal trucking regulations to see just how comprehensive these rules are.
A violation of these federal safety rules is powerful evidence of negligence. A truck accident lawyer in hollywood who understands these regulations can make a significant difference in your case.
The Role of a Truck Accident Lawyer in Hollywood
Trucking companies have legal teams that act immediately to protect their interests. You need an advocate who knows their tactics and won’t back down.
Our firm conducts a thorough investigation, visiting the scene, interviewing witnesses, and hiring reconstruction professionals to prove what happened.
Evidence preservation is critical. We immediately send spoliation letters to legally require trucking companies to preserve evidence like driver logs and black box data before it can be lost or destroyed.
We handle all communication with insurance adjusters. They are trained to get you to accept low settlements or make statements that hurt your case. We protect you from these tactics so you can focus on healing.
We calculate your full damages, including current and future medical needs, lost wages, reduced earning capacity, and pain and suffering, to show the complete impact on your life.
During filing and negotiations, we leverage our knowledge of South Florida truck accident cases. We prepare every case for trial, giving us a strong negotiating position. If insurers don’t offer fair compensation, we are ready for court.
How lawyers handle compliance violations can make or break your case. We know how to prove that violations of FMCSA regulations directly caused your injuries.
Florida’s Two-Year Statute of Limitations
A critical deadline often surprises accident victims: Florida law gives you only two years from the accident date to file a lawsuit, as defined in Florida Statutes § 95.11.
If you miss this deadline by even a day, you lose your right to seek compensation permanently, regardless of your injuries or the strength of your case. This shorter timeline applies to accidents that occurred in 2023 or later.
Two years passes quickly while you are recovering from injuries. During this time, evidence can be lost and witness memories can fade, making your case harder to prove.
Contact a truck accident lawyer in hollywood immediately. The sooner we begin, the stronger your case will be. We ensure all deadlines are met and your rights are protected.
Pursuing Fair Compensation for Your Losses
After a truck accident in South Florida, you shouldn’t bear the financial burden of another’s negligence. We work to secure the full compensation you deserve for your devastating losses.
Compensation should cover the full impact on your life. This includes economic damages such as:
- Medical bills for everything from the emergency room and hospital stays to future physical therapy and medication.
- Lost wages during your recovery and compensation for your future earning capacity if your ability to work is reduced.
- Property damage to cover the repair or replacement of your vehicle and other personal items.
Beyond these financial losses, you can seek non-economic damages for:
- Pain and suffering for physical discomfort and emotional distress like anxiety or PTSD.
- Loss of enjoyment of life if your injuries prevent you from pursuing hobbies or living without pain.
In cases of gross negligence, Florida law may allow for punitive damages, which are intended to punish the defendant and deter similar conduct.
What to Do When the Insurance Company Calls
Insurance adjusters may call you soon after the accident. They may sound friendly, but their job is to minimize the amount the insurance company has to pay.
Avoid giving recorded statements without consulting us. Adjusters are trained to get you to say things that can be used to deny or reduce your claim.
Never sign any documents from an insurer without having your truck accident lawyer in hollywood review them. You could be signing away your right to future compensation.
Beware of an early settlement offer. These initial offers are almost always far less than your case is worth. Accepting it prevents you from seeking more money later, even if your injuries prove more severe.
Our advice is simple: refer all insurance communications to your lawyer. We will handle these conversations, protecting you from tactics designed to weaken your claim. We understand the complexities of insurance coverage in truck accident cases and know how to steer these challenging waters.
Frequently Asked Questions for a Truck Accident Lawyer in Hollywood
After a truck accident, you likely have many questions. Here are answers to some of the most common concerns we hear from clients in Hollywood and South Florida.
What types of injuries are common in truck accidents?
The force of an 80,000-pound truck colliding with a passenger car often results in severe injuries.
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) range from concussions to severe, permanent brain damage that alters personality, memory, and function.
- Spinal cord injuries can result in partial or complete paralysis, changing a person’s life forever and requiring lifelong care.
- Broken bones are common and often involve multiple fractures requiring surgery and long, painful recoveries.
- Internal injuries, such as organ damage or bleeding, are dangerous because they may not be immediately apparent.
- Severe burns from fires can cause permanent scarring and disfigurement, requiring extensive medical treatment.
- Wrongful death is a tragic outcome in many truck accidents. We help surviving family members secure the financial support they need to move forward.
Can I still get compensation if I was partially at fault?
Yes, you may still be able to get compensation. Florida uses a comparative negligence rule. This means your compensation is simply reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are found 20% at fault for a $100,000 award, you would receive $80,000.
However, a crucial 2023 change to Florida law means if you are found 51% or more at fault, you cannot recover any compensation. This “51% bar” makes building a strong case essential.
A truck accident lawyer in Hollywood can make a major difference by working to minimize your assigned fault while proving the negligence of other parties.
How much does it cost to hire a lawyer for my truck accident case?
With mounting medical bills and lost income, hiring a lawyer may seem impossible. The good news is that our firm works on a contingency fee basis, so you pay nothing upfront.
This means we only get paid if we win your case. Our fee is a percentage of the compensation we secure for you. If we don’t win, you owe us nothing in attorney’s fees.
This arrangement gives everyone access to experienced legal representation, regardless of their financial situation. You shouldn’t have to choose between medical care and legal help. With a contingency fee, you can afford both.
If you have other questions we haven’t addressed here, we’re just a phone call away. Every case is unique, and we’d be happy to discuss your specific situation during a free consultation.
How We Can Help with Your Hollywood Truck Accident Claim
Facing the aftermath of a truck accident is overwhelming. You’re dealing with injuries, bills, and unhelpful insurance companies. The Barzakay Law Firm stands beside accident victims in Hollywood, Miami, Boca Raton, and throughout South Florida during these difficult times.
To us, you are a member of our community who deserves justice. We understand the challenges of South Florida’s busy highways and local trucking traffic.
We protect your rights. Trucking companies and their insurers work to minimize what they pay. We level the playing field, shielding you from their pressure tactics, lowball offers, and attempts to shift blame.
We handle the complexity. Truck accident claims are intricate, involving federal regulations and multiple liable parties. We investigate driver logs, maintenance records, and black box data to identify everyone responsible—the driver, trucking company, maintenance crew, or cargo loaders—to build a strong case.
We fight for the compensation you deserve. We work on a contingency fee basis, so we only get paid if you do. Our success is tied to yours, motivating us to pursue maximum compensation for all your losses. With no upfront costs, you can focus on healing while we handle your case.
The trucking industry is powerful, but you don’t have to face it alone. If you or someone you love has been hurt in a commercial truck accident, we want to hear your story.
Contact a Hollywood Truck Accident Lawyer at The Barzakay Law Firm today for a free, no-obligation consultation. We’ll listen, answer your questions, explain your options, and help you understand the path forward. Let us handle the legal battle while you focus on what matters most—your recovery.