Get Real Justice After an Accident with a Commercial Vehicle in Fort Lauderdale, Broward County & All of South Florida
If you were hurt in an accident with a commercial vehicle, you’re probably dealing with a lot more than you can handle right now. Trying to get better while worrying about bills and work is already too much. But when you add a delivery company, fleet owner, commercial insurance carrier, and state and federal laws into the mix, it can feel like you’re drowning.
The Fort Lauderdale commercial vehicle accident lawyers at Bernheim Kelley understand that, and we can help. We champion the rights of injured people throughout Fort Lauderdale, Broward County, and South Florida every day and have recovered more than $1 billion for our clients. You need Real Justice after a serious crash. That means getting the compensation and support you need while being treated with the care and dignity you deserve.
Call 954-866-1111 or reach out to us online today to schedule a FREE, no-obligation consultation with one of our dedicated commercial vehicle accident attorneys in Fort Lauderdale. We Keep It Real from your first call, being upfront about your options, answering your questions, and remaining open, available, and compassionate every step of the way.
"*" indicates required fields
The Real Deal After an Accident with a Commercial Vehicle
In 2024, Florida recorded 46,651 commercial motor vehicle crashes and 315 related deaths (Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV)). These crashes are not rare. They are not simple. And if one changed your life, you deserve just compensation.
Here’s the Real Deal:
- Commercial vehicle claims can involve more than one insurance policy.
- The driver may not be the only person or company responsible.
- Company records, GPS data, maintenance logs, etc., may be important evidence in your claim.
- Commercial insurance adjusters are usually working to protect their own interests.
- You generally have 2 years to file a Florida negligence lawsuit.
- The sooner a commercial vehicle accident attorney gets involved, the more time they have to build your case, gather evidence, and get everything in order.
What To Do After an Accident with a Commercial Vehicle in Fort Lauderdale
1. Get Medical Care. Period.
Your health comes first. Even if you don’t feel too banged up, get medical attention as soon as you can, whether that means calling 911, going to the emergency room or urgent care, or seeing your primary care doctor. Your health is so important; protect it.
Plus, Florida law generally requires you to get initial medical care within 14 days to access your PIP benefits (Florida Statutes § 627.736).
2. Call 911 & Get a Crash Report
Safety comes first. Call 911 right away if:
- Anyone is hurt
- Traffic is blocked
- A vehicle can’t be moved
- The other driver leaves
- There’s any immediate danger
Once you’re safe, make sure the crash has been reported and request a copy. This report creates an official record of the vehicles involved, driver information, witness details, citations, and what happened at the scene. You can file or request a crash report through the FLHSMV crash report portal.
3. Gather Information (If You Can Do It Safely)
Don’t put yourself in danger just to collect information. But if you can do it safely, try to collect or document the following:
- Photos or video of the vehicles, damage, hazards, injuries & crash scene
- The work or delivery vehicle’s company name, logo, license plate, DOT number, or vehicle number
- The driver’s name, insurance information & employer or contractor details
- Names and contact information for witnesses
4. Don’t Let the Insurer Pressure You
You can report the crash, but don’t let the company’s insurer pressure you into giving a recorded statement, signing anything, or accepting any offer before you understand your rights. What you say or sign early on could be used later to discredit you or lock you into a settlement that doesn’t cover your losses. Have your attorney handle communication with the insurance company for you.
5. Save Everything!
You don’t need to have everything perfectly organized before you call us. Just save everything you think could be relevant, including:
- Medical paperwork, discharge instructions, prescriptions & bills
- Insurance letters, claim numbers, adjuster emails & voicemails
- Texts, emails, app messages, ride receipts, or delivery details connected to the crash
- Pay stubs, missed work notes, or proof of lost income
- Photos, videos, witness information & anything else you collected at the scene
- Repair estimates, towing records, rental car receipts & vehicle photos
6. Call Bernheim Kelley Injury Lawyers
Bring us everything you have, and we’ll figure out the rest. With a free initial consultation, we can get a better idea of your options and discuss next steps. The sooner we get involved, the sooner we can start building your case, sorting through the insurance issues, and getting your ducks in a row.
Real Results
- $895,000 Recovery: Our team represented two clients injured in a rear-end truck collision. When the insurer dragged their feet for 3 months, our commercial truck accident attorneys found a key defense counsel error and used it to push for a big settlement without having to file a lawsuit.
- $375,000 Recovery: Our team secured a settlement for a client who was rear-ended by a truck and suffered a neck injury. The recovery compensated him for his pain and suffering, past medical bills, and future medical care.
- $1,030,000 Recovery: Our team recovered compensation in a case involving a van with a design defect that made it more likely to roll over. Because of that defect, there was a rollover accident that caused serious injuries. Commercial vehicle claims aren’t always just about a negligent driver. Sometimes, the vehicle itself is part of the problem, which can bring about a product liability claim.
How Long Do I Have To File a Lawsuit in Florida?
For most Florida negligence cases, including many company vehicle accident lawsuits, the filing deadline is 2 years. If you’ve lost a loved one, wrongful death claims have a 2-year deadline as well (Florida Statutes § 95.11(5)(a) and 95.11(5)(e)).
If the crash involved a government vehicle, like a city bus, county vehicle, police vehicle, or public works truck, special notice rules and pre-suit steps may apply (§ 768.28). Don’t wait to find out if you have a claim. Deadlines are easier to deal with when there’s time to make a plan.
What Counts as a Commercial Vehicle in Florida?
Florida law defines a commercial motor vehicle as a vehicle used on public highways in commerce to transport passengers or cargo if it meets certain criteria, including a gross vehicle weight rating of 10,000 pounds or more, transport for more than 15 passengers including the driver, or hazardous materials transport (§ 316.003(14)).
In real life, commercial vehicle cases can involve many kinds of vehicles, including:
- Delivery vans
- Box trucks
- Semi-trucks
- Utility trucks
- Construction vehicles
- Garbage trucks
- Tow trucks
- Buses
- Shuttles
- Rideshare vehicles
- Company cars
- Government vehicles
Commercial vehicles may be covered by business, fleet, employer, contractor, or excess insurance policies, and more than one policy may apply. That can create more ways to get the compensation you need, but it can also lead to more finger-pointing over who should pay. An experienced and trial-ready Fort Lauderdale commercial vehicle accident attorney can help you sort through those policies and keep the insurance companies in check.
Not Sure If You Have a Claim?
You may have a business vehicle accident claim if:
- You were hurt in a crash with a company, work, or delivery vehicle
- The driver was working, delivering, transporting passengers, or driving a company vehicle
- The commercial driver, company, or another party acted carelessly
- Your injuries led to medical bills, missed work, pain, or changes to your daily life
The only way to know for sure if you have a claim is to ask. Reach out to Bernheim Kelley Injury Lawyers for a free case review, and we’ll help you understand your options.
– you are in good hands!
What Evidence Can Help Your Commercial Vehicle Accident Case?
We’ve got to show how the crash happened, who was responsible, and how the collision affected your life. Evidence could include:
- Crash report
- Photos & video
- Dashcam footage
- Vehicle inspection records
- Maintenance & repair logs
- GPS data
- Driver logs
- Dispatch notes
- Delivery schedules
- Company safety policies
- Cell phone records
- Black box/event data, when available
- Witness statements
- Medical records
We’re not expecting you to gather all of this yourself. Our dedicated team at Bernheim Kelley Injury Lawyers can handle the ins and outs, requests, communications, etc. And we’ll make sure you understand each step and feel supported the whole way through.
Why Commercial Vehicle Accident Claims Are More Complicated
Business-owned vehicle cases can get messy. They can involve complex liability issues, company policies, and businesses and insurers that could fight to limit their financial liability. They may dispute whether the driver was working at the time of the crash, argue that the accident was your fault, point to a different company, or claim your injuries aren’t even connected to the collision.
Florida’s modified comparative fault law gives insurers another reason to push blame onto you. A person found more than 50% at fault generally can’t recover damages in a negligence claim (§ 768.81). If you’re 50% or less at fault for an accident, you can still go after compensation, but it will be reduced by your percentage of fault.
However, if you are 51% or more at fault, you get nothing. So these companies and their insurers are eager to push as much blame as possible onto you, hoping that you’ll meet that threshold and they’ll be off the hook.
That is why it’s so important to get help from a determined attorney with decades of experience handling these claims. Bernheim Kelley Injury Lawyers can help push back when they try to minimize or deny your claim.
Who Pays for an Accident with a Commercial Vehicle in Fort Lauderdale?
Depending on what went down, one or more people or companies could be responsible, including:
- The commercial driver
- The driver’s employer
- The company that owned or leased the vehicle
- A maintenance or repair company
- A cargo loading company
- A vehicle or parts manufacturer
- A government agency
- Another negligent driver
It’s not always obvious who may be responsible for the crash. Our team will investigate, get to the bottom of fault, and go after the compensation you need to move forward with hope.
Real Advocacy, Real Experience, Real Justice: Call Now!
Your claim represents your future. Your life, your health, and your stability were all threatened at the moment of impact. We know that, and we know that support, compassion, and a steady hand are needed right now.
When you work with Bernheim Kelley Injury Lawyers, you get a team that treats you with the respect and care you deserve and your case with the urgency and diligence it requires.
Here’s what you can expect from us:
- No Fee Unless We Win: You don’t pay upfront legal fees. We only get paid if we get compensation for you.
- Trial-Ready Prep: We prepare every case with focus and determination, and we’re ready to go to court if that’s what it takes to get Real Justice.
- Thorough Investigation: We dig into records, insurance policies, and crash details that can change the path of your case.
- Real Communication: You won’t be left guessing. We keep you updated, explain what’s happening, and answer all your questions honestly.
- Client-Centered Support: We need to understand what this crash has done to your life, so we can build the case around your needs, goals, and future.
- Compassion & Strength: We know the strain you and your family are under, and we’re here to help while you focus on getting stronger.
Why Choose Us?
When you’re facing one of the toughest moments of your life, you need more than just a lawyer—you need a trusted ally who will stand with you and fight for your rights.
Reach Out Now for a FREE Case Review With Our Fort Lauderdale Commercial Vehicle Accident Lawyers
If you were hurt in an accident with a delivery, work, or company vehicle in Fort Lauderdale, Broward County, or anywhere in South Florida, reach out to Bernheim Kelley Injury Lawyers by phone (954-866-1111) or online today. Your case review is FREE, and you pay no attorney’s fees unless we win compensation for you.
Our Fort Lauderdale commercial vehicle accident lawyers help injured people pursue Real Justice.That means Real Results, Real Accountability, and renewed hope for the future. We’re ready to help.