Truck Accident Lawyer | The Villages & Ocala, FL

Considering their massive size and weight, you probably expect that truck accidents are among the most deadly types of motor vehicle crashes, and the statistics support this assumption. According to Crash Facts 2017 published by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, there were 347 collisions involving commercial trucks in Sumter County. Three people died and another 88 suffered serious injuries in these incidents, causing significant physical, emotional, and financial losses.

Fortunately, Florida law provides you with rights and our attorneys at the Glover Law Firm can assist with enforcing them. Please contact our office to schedule a free consultation with a member of our team. We can explain more about how a truck accident lawyer in The Villages can help with your claim.

Glover Law Firm has settled thousands of Florida injury cases for millions of dollars.

Types of Damages Available in Florida Truck Accident Cases

Truck accident victims may be entitled to several categories of damages. Understanding these can help you anticipate what your claim might include:

• Economic Damages: These are measurable financial losses, such as:
  • Medical bills (past and future)
  • Lost wages and diminished earning capacity
  • Property damage
  • Rehabilitation and therapy costs
• Non-Economic Damages: These compensate for losses that are not strictly financial, including:
  • Pain and suffering
  • Emotional distress
  • Loss of enjoyment of life
  • Disfigurement and scarring
  • Loss of consortium (impact on relationships)
• Punitive Damages: These are awarded in rare cases to punish egregious misconduct or gross negligence, such as when a trucking company knowingly disregards safety regulations or allows an unfit driver on the road. In Florida, punitive damages are capped at three times the amount of compensatory damages or $500,000, whichever is higher, unless the defendant’s conduct was intentional or motivated by financial gain, in which case the cap is higher or removed entirely.

What Are Common Causes of Truck Accidents?

In general, truck crashes typically occur because of driver carelessness. In the practice of law, the term is negligence. To recover compensation, you must prove that the truck operator failed to drive safely, directly causing the accident in which you were injured. Some common factors behind truck accidents include:

• Speeding in excess of the posted limit;
• Driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs;
• Texting, talking on the phone, or other forms of distracted driving;
• Driving while fatigued or in violation of Hours of Service regulations;
• Taking turns too quickly; and,
• Many other forms of negligent driving. 

How Does a Truck Accident Lawyer in The Villages Help You Receive Compensation?

Like other motor vehicle accident matters, you typically initiate a truck accident case by filing a claim with the driver’s insurance company. The claims process may seem straightforward, but you’re likely to encounter pushback in dealing with the insurer. These companies look out for their own best interests, not yours. The response to your claim may be a lower counteroffer or an outright denial. In such a situation, you may need to file a lawsuit in court to recover monetary damages.

For example, in 2018, Glover Law Firm secured a $145,000 settlement for a client involved in a motor vehicle accident with a commercial van in The Villages. The victim sustained back and knee injuries, and the settlement helped cover medical expenses and address the long-term impact of the injuries. This case illustrates the importance of having an experienced attorney to handle negotiations with insurers and pursue the compensation you deserve.

Retaining an experienced attorney to represent you is essential, from the initial filing of a claim to final resolution of your case. A lawyer knows strategies to counter insurance company tactics, so you can obtain the compensation you deserve for your injuries in a truck accident. If the insurer won’t settle for a reasonable amount, your attorney will take the matter to court. 

How Injury Severity Impacts Compensation

The severity of your injuries is the single most significant factor in determining the value of your truck accident claim. Catastrophic injuries—such as traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, amputations, or severe burns—require extensive treatment, long-term care, and often result in permanent disability. These cases typically result in higher settlements due to:

• Increased medical expenses
• Greater impact on earning capacity
• Profound effect on quality of life

Even less severe injuries can lead to substantial compensation if they result in high medical costs or lost income. The clearer the evidence of the injury’s impact, the stronger your claim.

Punitive Damages: Limitations and Conditions in Florida

Punitive damages are not available in every truck accident case. Florida law requires clear and convincing evidence that the defendant acted with intentional misconduct or gross negligence. Examples include:

• Trucking companies ignoring known safety violations
• Allowing drivers to falsify logbooks
• Hiring drivers with a history of reckless behavior
• Permitting intoxicated drivers to operate commercial vehicles

Florida law caps punitive damages at three times compensatory damages or $500,000, whichever is higher, except in cases involving intentional harm or financial motivation, where the cap may be higher or not apply at all.

Florida’s Comparative Negligence Law and Its Impact

Florida follows a modified comparative negligence rule. Here’s how it works:

• If you are 50% or less at fault for the accident, you can still recover damages, but your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault.
• If you are 51% or more at fault, you are barred from recovering any damages from the other party.

Example:
If your damages total $100,000 and you are found 30% at fault, you can recover $70,000. If you are found 51% at fault or more, you receive nothing.

What to Do If You’re Partly at Fault

• Do not assume partial fault will prevent you from recovering compensation.
• Consult with an experienced truck accident lawyer before speaking to insurance companies.
• Insurance adjusters may try to exaggerate your share of fault to reduce or deny your claim. A skilled attorney will gather evidence and advocate for your best interests.

Who Can Be Liable in a Florida Truck Accident?

Truck accident cases often involve multiple potentially liable parties, including:

• Truck driver (for negligent or reckless driving)
• Trucking company (for unsafe policies, negligent hiring, or maintenance failures)
• Vehicle or parts manufacturers (for defective components)
• Cargo loaders or shippers (for improper loading)
• Maintenance contractors

Each party’s degree of responsibility is determined through a thorough investigation.

The Investigation Process: Establishing Liability

Proving liability in a truck accident requires a prompt and detailed investigation, which may include:

• Reviewing the truck’s Event Data Recorder (black box)
• Examining driver logs and hours-of-service records
• Inspecting maintenance and inspection logs
• Collecting dashcam and surveillance footage
• Interviewing witnesses and first responders
• Analyzing accident scene evidence
• Consulting accident reconstruction experts

This evidence is crucial for identifying all liable parties and building a compelling case for compensation.

The Role of State and Federal Regulations

Trucking companies and drivers are subject to strict state and federal regulations, including those set by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Violations—such as exceeding hours-of-service limits, failing to perform required inspections, or neglecting maintenance—can be powerful evidence of negligence or even gross misconduct. Demonstrating regulatory violations can strengthen your claim and may support a request for punitive damages in extreme cases.

What Are Unique Factors Regarding Truck Accidents in The Villages, FL?

As if dealing with an insurance company isn’t difficult enough, there are other complicated issues that arise in a truck accident, such as:

• Multiple parties beyond the truck driver and insurer, including a trucking company, employer, business partnership, and others;
• The potential for catastrophic injuries and sky-high medical costs;
• Insurance coverage in the millions for truck drivers, which means insurers assign their best employees to fight your claim.

Why Choose Glover Law Firm?

• Client-Centric Approach: We treat every client with compassion and respect, guiding you through the legal process and fighting for your best interests.
• Proven Results: Our track record includes significant settlements and verdicts for truck accident victims.
• Comprehensive Legal Support: We handle every aspect of your claim, from investigation to negotiation to trial if necessary.

Truck accident cases are complex and often involve high stakes. If you or a loved one has been injured, don’t wait. Contact Glover Law Firm today for a free, no-obligation consultation. Let us put our experience, resources, and dedication to work for you—so you can focus on healing and rebuilding your life.

What Our Clients Say

Read this 5-star Google review below regarding a personal injury case in The Villages.

“My husband and I are snowbirds in The Villages. We were rear ended on Hwy 27 in 2018. Glover Law firm represented us in our personal injury case. Gordon was thorough in explaining the process and answering any questions. He and his staff were always professional and prompt with all communication. I would highly recommend Glover Law firm if you find yourself in a similar unfortunate situation.”

By: Dianne Uthe
Rating: 5/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Feb 3, 2019
Read more reviews on Google!

Why Consult With a Truck Accident Attorney in The Villages?

If you or a loved one was injured in a truck collision, please contact the Glover Law Firm to set up a no-cost case evaluation at our offices in The Villages. We can provide more information on your rights and legal remedies after reviewing the details of your case.

Not in The Villages? Get in touch with our experienced truck accident lawyers in Ocala and Marion County, or truck accident lawyers in Lake County.