Truck Accident Attorneys Helping Clients in Fort Lauderdale & Throughout Florida Get Real Justice
The assistance of a steadfast Fort Lauderdale truck accident lawyer is invaluable after suffering an injury or losing a loved one in a terrible crash. While regular car accidents are devastating enough, getting into an accident with a tractor-trailer, semi-truck, or 18-wheeler is a whole different kind of nightmare. Given the size and weight of large trucks, the absolute destruction they can cause in an accident is terrifying.
Unfortunately, when trucking companies try to increase profits by moving freight too quickly, they often cut corners and ignore rules and regulations designed to keep people safe. Keeping truckers on the road for long hours, limiting stops and breaks, and inadequate vehicle servicing, among other things, can all culminate in disastrous accidents on Florida highways.
And when truck wrecks happen, innocent victims pay the price. Well, the dedicated team at Bernheim Kelley Injury Lawyers doesn’t believe that you should be the one paying. When negligence leads to injury and death, those responsible need to be held accountable. We aim to get Real Justice for people who are harmed in preventable accidents.
Have you been seriously injured or have you lost someone you loved in a truck crash here in Broward County or South Florida? Our Fort Lauderdale truck accident lawyers are here to help you navigate the ins and outs of your personal injury or wrongful death claim. Call 954-866-1111 or contact us online today to set up a FREE consultation with our team.
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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.
What Are Some Common Types of Truck Accidents in Fort Lauderdale?
18-wheeler accidents can happen in countless ways and for any number of reasons. However, some types of big rig crashes are more common than others.
Common types of large truck accidents include:
- Rear-End Collisions: These are often caused by distraction, usually from a phone or navigation device.
- Lost Load Accidents: Equipment failure and user error can result in these types of catastrophic accidents. They happen when the load slides off the load-bearing tow, often blocking traffic or injuring drivers behind the truck.
- Jackknife Accidents: These occur when turns are taken too sharply.
Other types of wrecks include:
- Sideswipes
- Rollovers
- Underrides & overrides
- Tire blowouts
- Explosions
- Brake failure
- Mechanical failure
- Lane changes/blind spots
The Real Advocates here at Bernheim Kelley Injury Lawyers have decades of experience championing the rights of the injured. Our Fort Lauderdale truck accident attorneys can help determine the type of crash and why it happened. With that information, we’ll be able to establish who’s liable and build a personalized strategy to pursue the compensation you need and deserve.
We know what we’re doing at the negotiating table and in the courtroom, and we don’t intimidate easily. When you’re going up against trucking companies, their insurers, and legal teams, you want our compassionate, steadfast team on your side. Contact us now to schedule a FREE, no-obligation consultation, and we’ll explain your options and next steps.
How Often Do Truck Drivers Get into Accidents in Florida?
As a state with a great deal of import and export traffic, trucking accidents are quite common in Florida. According to the latest data from Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) there were 46,651 commercial truck crashes in 2024, with 315 tragic fatalities. Those deaths make up nearly 10% of all the traffic fatalities statewide that year.
To really understand what those numbers mean, let’s put it another way. Florida averaged about 127 truck crashes per day (just over 5 crashes each hour), and, devastatingly, a life was lost roughly every 28 hours.
Any injury or loved one lost due to negligence is one too many. If this is your story, you deserve justice and accountability.
Who Is Liable for Truck Accident Injuries in Fort Lauderdale?
Parties who could be held liable in a truck accident lawsuit include:
- Truck driver
- Trucking company
- Parts manufacturer
- Vehicle manufacturer
- Shipper or loader
- Government entity (for road defects & hazards)
- Maintenance/inspection company
- Repair shops
Determining who is liable in a truck crash can get complicated. The trucking company might be responsible, but only if the driver was acting within the scope of employment. And, what if the driver was a contractor and not an employee?
At Bernheim Kelley Injury Lawyers, we thoroughly investigate and work with experts when necessary to get to the bottom of liability so we can hold them accountable. Once we know who’s responsible, our team of seasoned truck wreck attorneys in Fort Lauderdale will seek the maximum compensation available for you and your family.
How to Determine Fault in a Truck Accident in Fort Lauderdale
Florida uses a no-fault (PIP) system for initial medical benefits, so you can make a claim with your own insurer regardless of fault. But in serious truck crashes, fault still matters. Establishing who is responsible is what allows you to pursue compensation beyond PIP (and for pain and suffering) from the at-fault party or parties.
Fault is usually determined by proving negligence, which requires you to show the following:
- Duty of Care: Someone had a legal obligation to act safely.
- Breach of Duty: They failed in that duty by violating safety rules or acting recklessly.
- Causation: That breach is what caused the crash and your injuries.
- Damages: You suffered direct losses as a result (medical bills, lost income, out-of-pocket expenses, etc.).
By skillfully proving the above elements, your attorney can make a case for liability against the negligent party.
In many Fort Lauderdale truck cases, the driver and the motor carrier are the primary focus. Depending on the specifics of your claim, responsibility may also extend to a maintenance contractor or the company that loaded the trailer. Your truck accident attorney’s job is to follow the facts and pinpoint who is legally accountable.
What Evidence Is Needed to Prove My Accident Claim in Fort Lauderdale?
Certain evidence can bolster your Fort Lauderdale truck accident claim. You should be able to gather some of it right away. Other important records may be more difficult to collect, but they must be preserved promptly so they aren’t altered or deleted.
Examples of helpful evidence include:
- Police Reports & Eyewitness Accounts: Request copies from the responding agency and note witness names, contact info, and 911 call details when available.
- Insurance Claim: Your insurer’s report, property-damage photos, appraisals, and repair estimates help show where and how the impact occurred, how severe it was, and support the medical link to your injuries.
- Photos & Video from the Accident: Documentation of the scene, vehicle damage, skid marks, debris field, road conditions, and weather can help forensic investigators determine who may be responsible for the accident. Nearby dashcams, traffic cameras, or business/home CCTV can also be pivotal.
- Vehicle & Electronic Data (ECM/ELD): “Black box” downloads, GPS/dispatch data, and hours-of-service logs can show speed, braking, and fatigue.
- Driver & Company Records: Driver logs, qualification and training records, post-crash drug/alcohol test results, maintenance/inspection files, and cargo/loading paperwork.
- Medical & Wage Documentation: EMS and hospital records, imaging, treatment plans, bills, pharmacy receipts, pay stubs, and employer letters for time missed.
- Expert Analysis: Accident reconstruction and forensic downloads connect the dots between a safety breach and your injuries.
While many types of evidence may be used to build your case, these are among the most common. Bernheim Kelley Injury Lawyers can step in quickly to preserve hard-to-get records and analyze what the evidence shows. Once we get a good look at the complete picture, we can help you better understand your options and the path forward.
– you are in good hands!
Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Fort Lauderdale
Most often, truck wrecks in Fort Lauderdale occur due to a combination of causes. For example, the trucking company may focus on profits before safety and take on inexperienced drivers who aren’t ready for the difficulties of navigating highways in big rigs. Their uncertainty and overwork, mixed with inclement weather and an uneven load, could lead to a devastating collision on the highway.
Common causes include:
- Speeding
- Distracted driving
- Driver fatigue
- Inadequate training
- Inability to maintain control
- Failure to maintain trucks properly
- Reckless or aggressive driving
- Improper loading
- Rushing to meet delivery times or mileage quotas
- Mechanical failures
- Impaired driving
- Poor road conditions or design
- Hazardous weather conditions
In 2023, Florida had the third-highest number of large-truck fatalities nationwide. According to NSC Injury Facts, there were 341 precious lives lost in truck crashes. FMCSA data show that driver-related factors are common in serious truck wrecks, but crashes rarely have a single cause.
In Fort Lauderdale, Bernheim Kelley Injury Lawyers follows the evidence to identify every liable party and seek accountability so that you have the support you need to move forward.
Common Injuries in Truck Accidents
Anytime you’re in a motor vehicle accident, you can sustain serious injuries. The types of injuries you may deal with will vary depending on the nature of your accident. Due to the sheer size of tractor-trailers and semi-trucks, trucking accidents are more likely to result in severe injuries and tragic consequences.
This is even more true in the event the truck is carrying dangerous materials, like oil and gas, in which case accidents are likely to be even more terrible, causing devastating, catastrophic injuries.
Injuries resulting from a crash with a big rig could include:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Internal bleeding
- Paralysis
- Limb loss
- Concussions
- Spinal cord injuries
- Organ damage
- Burn injuries
- Broken bones
- Disfigurement
In addition to physical injuries, the emotional impact is likely to be intense given the magnitude of a semi-truck crash. If this happened to you, we’re here for you. As Real Advocates, we will account for every impact this accident has had on your life and fight for the full compensation you need to regain your dignity and hope for a brighter future.
Tragically, some of these injuries will ultimately result in death. If you’ve lost a loved one in an accident with a large truck, talk to the compassionate wrongful death attorneys at Bernheim Kelley Injury Lawyers. We will offer caring support and champion the rights of you and your family, holding the negligent parties accountable for their actions.
Reach out today and let’s review your legal options. This first consultation is absolutely FREE, and we won’t ask for a dime until we win you compensation.
What Types of Damages Can I Recover After a Fort Lauderdale Truck Wreck?
There are two main types of damages available in personal injury cases: economic damages and non-economic damages.
Economic Damages
Economic damages represent your financial losses after an accident. You can prove these losses with receipts, paystubs, and invoices. They typically include the following:
Medical Bills:
- Doctor visits
- Emergency medical services
- Surgeries
- Hospital stays
- Rehab
- Medications
- In-home nursing
Lost Income:
Make sure you’re tracking the hours you’ve missed. A letter from your employer can help support your case. If your injuries have affected your ability to do your job permanently, we will need to factor that loss of earning potential into your claim.
Out-of-Pocket Expenses:
- Vehicle rental
- Childcare
- Housekeeping services
- Transportation to doctor’s appointments
- Medications
Out-of-pocket expenses must be related to your accident and injuries.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages are intended to help you heal from the emotional toll. Because these losses are non-financial, they’re often more difficult to calculate.
The following damages are the most common:
- Pain & suffering
- Mental & emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life or loss of use
- Loss of consortium or companionship
How Is Pain & Suffering Calculated in an Accident in Fort Lauderdale?
The calculation of pain and suffering depends on the nature of your accident, the seriousness of your injuries, and how your daily life has been affected. In motor-vehicle cases, Florida law only allows non-economic damages if you meet the state’s serious injury threshold:
- Permanent injury
- Significant & permanent scarring/disfigurement
- Significant & permanent loss of an important bodily function
- Death
There isn’t a fixed legal formula for pain and suffering. Florida juries are instructed to award an amount that is fair and just in light of the evidence. Negotiations may reference common valuation approaches (pain & suffering calculator, per diem), but the law does not require any particular method for calculating these damages.
Factors that can influence a pain and suffering award include:
- Type and severity of your injury, and whether it is permanent
- How your injury affects work, self-care, and relationships
- The quality of medical proof (diagnoses, imaging, treating-physician opinions)
- How long your symptoms last and whether future care is needed
- Comparative fault (your percentage of responsibility, if any) under Florida’s modified rule
Common valuation approaches in negotiation:
- Multiplier Method: Economic losses (e.g., medical bills) multiplied by a factor that reflects severity and impact (1–5).
- Per-Diem Approach: A reasonable daily value for pain and limitations multiplied by the number of days you experience them.
Florida juries, however, still decide based on the evidence, not a preset formula.
Proving pain and suffering often means pairing medical records with human evidence: medical provider notes, therapy records, photos/video, work-impact letters, and day-to-day documentation (journals, statements from family and friends) that show how the injuries changed your life.
What Is a Good Settlement Offer for Truck Accidents in Fort Lauderdale?
A “good” settlement offer is subjective and determined by the extent of the injuries and the impact the accident has had on your life. Everyone’s case is unique. If you’re looking for confirmation on whether your interests are being protected by the amount of the settlement award that is offered to you, reach out to our truck accident attorneys in Fort Lauderdale.
We can help you assess whether the settlement being offered aligns with your claim’s overall value. We’ve handled countless motor vehicle accident cases and know how to assess your damages. If the insurance company is offering an insufficient amount, we will push for more. We are fully prepared to take your case all the way to trial if that’s what we need to do to get you the Real Justice you deserve.
How Can Bernheim Kelley Injury Lawyers Help in a Truck Accident Case in Fort Lauderdale?
Bernheim Kelley Injury Lawyers advocates for injured clients across Florida. We have decades of personal injury experience, and we put it to work for you from day one. If you’ve been hurt in a truck wreck, our Fort Lauderdale truck accident attorneys will listen to your story, provide an honest evaluation, review your options, and discuss next steps.
Truck crashes are devastating, but you don’t have to face this alone. We take on the legal burdens so you can put your energy into healing. We’re here to guide you through the process with Real Advocacy, Real Experience, and an eye on the Real Results you deserve.
Our team provides:
- Client-first representation focused on your needs, your goals, your priorities, and your future
- We’ll come to you if you can’t come to us
- Independent investigations to uncover what happened and why
- Evidence preservation (ECM/ELD data, driver logs, maintenance and loading records, camera footage) before it’s altered or lost
- Expert resources (reconstruction specialists, medical and financial professionals) to make sure your claim reflects the entirety of your losses
- Negotiation power with insurers, backed by a trial-ready approach when they won’t play fair
- Clear, compassionate communication so you always know where your case stands
- Bilingual support (se habla español)
- No fee until we win
Do you need a Fort Lauderdale truck accident attorney you can trust? Our team is ready to listen, champion your case, and pursue the compensation you need to move forward with hope and confidence.
Frequently Asked Questions About Truck Wrecks in Fort Lauderdale
Usually, no. Most settlements include a signed release that ends your claim against the parties named. Once you accept it, you typically can’t go back for more.
Limited exceptions can exist (fraud, duress, or mutual mistake), and you may still have claims against other at-fault parties not covered by the release. Florida law clarifies that releasing one tortfeasor doesn’t automatically release others unless the document clearly says so.
Our team can review your settlement if you’re unsure what you signed or who was released. Your best move, though, is to reach out to us long before you’ve signed anything at all. We can handle negotiations with the insurer and push for a settlement that reflects the full scope of your losses. If they won’t play fair, we’re prepared to take your case to trial.
Every case is different. To accurately calculate compensation, we need to look at how the crash has changed your life. What has it cost you so far, across both economic and non-economic losses, and what will it cost you in the future?
That might include:
- Medical Care: All current bills (ER, hospital, rehab, meds) and projected future treatment and equipment.
- Work Impact: Wages you’ve already lost and any reduced earning capacity if your injuries affect future work.
- Non-Economic Losses: Pain and suffering and loss of quality of life. (As noted earlier, Florida’s serious-injury threshold governs when these are available.)
- Punitive Damages: These are rare but possible when conduct is extreme (intentional misconduct or gross negligence).
- If the Crash Was Fatal: Florida’s Wrongful Death Act allows survivors to seek funeral costs, lost support and services, and loss of companionship; and the estate may recover final medical expenses and certain lost earnings.
The best way to understand the true value of your claim is to speak with our team. We can review your records, listen to your goals, and discuss the path forward.
Your health and safety always come first. Many people are taken straight to the hospital after a truck wreck. If you were, just focus on your treatment.
If you weren’t immediately transported but are hurt, consider going to the nearest ER. Even if you feel okay right now, see your primary care provider as soon as possible and let them know you were involved in a tractor-trailer crash.
If and when you’re able, these steps can help protect your claim:
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- Call 911 and get a crash report.
- Document the accident with photos, get the truck’s DOT/plate numbers, and take down witnesses’ accounts and contact info.
- Keep everything, including discharge papers, bills, prescriptions, mileage to appointments, etc.
- Avoid recorded statements to insurers until you’ve received legal guidance.
- Act promptly! Truck companies can purge critical electronic data after 6 months, so early action matters.
- Reach out to a Fort Lauderdale truck accident attorney with Real Experience. The team at Bernheim Kelley Injury Lawyers can help collect evidence, establish the cause of the accident and liable parties, handle communications with insurers, and so much more.
Our attorneys provide the highest standard of legal representation, acting with compassion and determination at every step. Trust us to keep your best interests at the forefront as we guide you through the legal process.
Florida’s statute of limitations for personal injury cases is 2 years. That means you have just 2 years from the date of the crash to file a lawsuit. For wrongful death claims, you have 2 years from the day your loved one passed. Claims involving government entities follow special notice rules and often have much shorter deadlines.
Should you fail to file within the statute of limitations, you will most likely lose your right to seek compensation. Though some exceptions exist, they are extremely uncommon. If you’ve been injured, contact us now so we can start protecting your rights and building your claim.
Florida follows a modified comparative negligence rule. If you’re more than 50% at fault, you can’t recover damages. If you’re 50% or less at fault, your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault.
Don’t assume that you are to blame. Trucking cases involve complex rules and regulations, and evidence can often reveal a different story. Insurers may try to blame you for the crash to avoid paying out, but you don’t have to take their word for it. Let our team review the facts and explain your options in a FREE no-obligation consultation.
Call Today for Real Advocacy, Real Experience, Real Justice
When you’re injured or a loved one is killed in a truck crash, your whole world changes. While you’re struggling to wrap your head around what’s happened and dealing with pain, heartache, and uncertainty, the rest of the world keeps plugging away. Mounting medical bills, missed work, and calls from insurance companies only add to your overall feeling of unease.
If someone else’s negligence has caused this, you deserve accountability and compensation for your suffering. The Real Advocates at Bernheim Kelley Injury Lawyers are here to help. We Keep It Real by listening, discussing your options, and then developing a strategy based on what is best for you and your family.
Our team of determined truck accident attorneys has decades of Real Experience championing the rights of clients injured in truck crashes throughout Florida and Tennessee. We will move quickly to investigate, preserve crucial evidence, consult experts, and prepare your case as if we’re going to trial so that insurers know how serious we are.
Getting justice after an accident means securing Real Results, of course. But Real Justice extends beyond compensation to hold those responsible accountable, help you reclaim your dignity, and renew your hope for the future. That is what we strive for every day.
Contact Our Fort Lauderdale Truck Accident Lawyers To Schedule a FREE Case Evaluation
Call 954-866-1111 or reach out online to schedule your FREE case evaluation with a Fort Lauderdale truck accident lawyer. We proudly represent clients in Broward County and across South Florida. And if you can’t come to us, please let us know, and we will come to you. We’re ready when you are.