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Fort Lauderdale Truck Accident Lawyer

A collision with a commercial truck can change your life in an instant. If you were injured in a truck accident in Fort Lauderdale or anywhere in South Florida, you may be facing long-term medical care, lost income, and an uphill battle with powerful trucking and insurance companies. At Englander Peebles, we help truck accident victims take back control by holding negligent drivers, companies, and insurers accountable. Whether you were hit by an 18-wheeler on I-95 or sideswiped by a delivery truck downtown, we’re ready to fight for the compensation you need to heal and move forward.

Why Truck Accident Cases Are So Complex

Truck accident claims are very different from typical car crashes. These cases involve multiple layers of liability, from the driver to the trucking company to third-party maintenance contractors—and they often include violations of federal safety regulations. Injuries tend to be more severe due to the massive size and weight of commercial vehicles, and insurers work hard to limit payouts. The companies that operate semi-trucks, box trucks, and tractor-trailers have rapid-response teams whose job is to protect their own interests—not yours. That’s why you need an experienced Fort Lauderdale truck accident lawyer who can step in immediately, preserve key evidence like electronic logging data and black box records, and build a case that stands up to corporate pressure.

What to Do If You Were Hit by a Truck in Fort Lauderdale

If you've been involved in a truck crash, taking the right steps early can make a big difference in your recovery:

  • Get medical attention immediately, even if your injuries aren’t obvious. Internal trauma is common in truck collisions.
  • Call law enforcement and make sure a full crash report is filed.
  • Document the scene if possible—take photos of vehicle damage, skid marks, license plates, and any visible injuries.
  • Avoid speaking to the trucking company’s insurance adjuster before you have legal representation.
  • Contact a truck accident attorney who can begin investigating right away.

You can count on us to take swift action while you focus on healing.

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Rear-End Truck Accidents

Truck rear-end crashes are especially dangerous due to a truck’s weight and braking distance. Even at low speeds, these collisions can cause devastating spinal and brain injuries. We investigate why the truck failed to stop and who is responsible.

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Jackknife and Rollover Accidents

When a truck jackknifes or rolls over, it often blocks multiple lanes and causes secondary collisions. These crashes may be the result of speeding, overloading, or braking errors—and usually point to negligence by the driver or carrier.

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Underride Accidents

An underride crash happens when a smaller car slides underneath the back or side of a semi-truck. These often lead to fatal injuries. We hold companies accountable when proper guards or lighting were missing or defective.

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Wide-Turn and Blind Spot Collisions

Truck drivers must follow specific safety procedures when turning or changing lanes. If a truck sideswiped your vehicle or cut you off during a wide right turn, we can help prove fault and recover damages.

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Fatigued or Overworked Drivers

Many truck accidents are caused by drivers who are pushed to exceed federal hours-of-service limits. If a tired driver hit you, we’ll investigate logbooks, dispatch data, and black box records to prove negligence.

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Improper Maintenance or Equipment Failure

If a truck's brakes failed or a blown tire caused your crash, we’ll examine maintenance records and inspection logs. We pursue claims against both the carrier and any third-party repair contractors involved.

Who Can Be Held Liable in a Florida Truck Accident?

One of the key differences between a truck accident and a typical car crash is the number of potentially liable parties. The truck driver may be at fault, but the trucking company, the cargo loader, or even the truck manufacturer could also bear responsibility. In some cases, drivers are classified as independent contractors to shield the company from liability—but that doesn’t always hold up in court. At Englander Peebles, we dig deep into every crash to identify all sources of liability and maximize your financial recovery. We handle cases involving major trucking companies, delivery services, contractors, and negligent third parties. With serious injuries and corporate defendants involved, you need a legal team that knows where to look—and how to fight back.

Truck Accident FAQs: What You Need to Know After a Collision in Fort Lauderdale

If you’ve been injured in a commercial truck accident in Fort Lauderdale or elsewhere in South Florida, the physical, emotional, and financial toll can be overwhelming. You may be dealing with multiple insurance carriers, catastrophic injuries, or an uncooperative trucking company. Below, our Fort Lauderdale truck accident lawyers at Englander Peebles answer the most common questions victims have after being hit by a semi-truck, big rig, or delivery vehicle.

  • How are truck accident claims different from regular car accident cases?

    Truck accident cases involve much higher stakes and more complexity than ordinary car crashes. Commercial trucks can weigh over 80,000 pounds and cause devastating injuries in a collision. These cases often involve multiple liable parties—such as the truck driver, the trucking company, a freight loader, or a vehicle maintenance contractor. Unlike private motorists, truck drivers and companies must comply with strict federal safety regulations governed by the FMCSA. Violations such as hours-of-service breaches, overloaded trailers, or inadequate inspections can directly lead to crashes. Our Fort Lauderdale truck accident attorneys thoroughly investigate each case to identify all potential defendants, preserve black box data, and pursue full compensation for your injuries.

  • Can I sue a trucking company if their driver caused my injuries?

    Yes. If a truck driver was working within the scope of their employment at the time of the accident, their employer—the trucking company—can be held legally responsible under the legal doctrine of “respondeat superior.” Additionally, if the company failed to conduct background checks, did not properly train the driver, or ignored safety standards, they may be directly liable for negligent hiring or supervision. Trucking companies often act fast to cover their tracks, which is why you need an experienced Fort Lauderdale truck accident lawyer to preserve critical evidence and aggressively hold them accountable.

  • What evidence is important in proving fault in a Florida truck crash?

    Proving fault in a truck accident often requires more than just a police report. Key evidence includes the truck’s event data recorder (black box), dashcam or surveillance footage, maintenance and inspection logs, GPS data, driver employment records, witness statements, and post-accident drug/alcohol tests. Our legal team sends spoliation letters right away to prevent this evidence from being destroyed. We also work with accident reconstruction experts and forensic specialists to determine how the crash happened. Without this deep level of investigation, trucking companies and insurers may try to shift blame or minimize your injuries. That’s why fast legal action is critical.

  • How long does it take to resolve a truck accident case in Florida?

    There’s no set timeline, but most truck accident claims in Fort Lauderdale take several months to over a year to resolve. Complex liability issues, severe injuries, and large insurance policies often mean more negotiation and litigation than in a standard auto accident. While some cases settle quickly, others require filing a lawsuit and proceeding to trial to secure fair compensation. At Englander Peebles, we move your case forward without delay, keeping you informed every step of the way. We don’t settle for lowball offers—we build strong cases that stand up in court if needed.

  • What causes most commercial truck accidents in Fort Lauderdale?

    Truck crashes are frequently caused by preventable acts of negligence. Common causes include fatigued or drowsy driving due to logbook violations, distracted driving (texting while operating a commercial vehicle), speeding, following too closely, improper lane changes, brake failure, overloaded cargo, and driver inexperience. South Florida’s congested highways like I-95, I-595, and US-1 are particularly dangerous for truck-related collisions. Our truck accident lawyers in Fort Lauderdale investigate these contributing factors to hold all negligent parties accountable and pursue the maximum compensation you deserve.

Still Have Questions About Your Truck Accident Claim?

Our Fort Lauderdale truck accident attorneys are ready to help. Contact Englander Peebles today for a free case review and legal advice tailored to your situation.

Talk to a Truck Accident Attorney Who Knows What’s at Stake

Our firm moves fast, builds strong cases, and doesn’t back down.

If you or a loved one was injured in a truck crash, don’t wait to get the help you need. We offer free consultations and don’t charge anything unless we win.