Southwest Florida Truck Accident Lawyers

Serving Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Lehigh Acres, Lee County, Naples, Bonita Springs, Collier County, Port Charlotte, Marco Island, and Charlotte County, FL

Life can change in just an instant.  One minute you are driving along and then everything changes, and you now find yourself searching for the best truck accident lawyer in SW Florida to represent you.  If you have suffered a serious injury in a trucking accident, we are so sorry that you’ve had to go through this and we want to support you through your pursuit of getting justice. Our Southwest Florida truck accident lawyers are here to help you get the best results possible. We have dedicated our careers to helping victims in our community get the justice that they are entitled to and we fight tirelessly to ensure that the end results are as fair as they possibly can be. You deserve to get justice for your injuries and damages. Contact us today to set up a free consultation.

Getting the Results You Deserve: What Is My Case Worth?

The very first question we hear from potential clients is: how much is my truck accident case worth?  Please understand that, although we are seeking financial compensation for you and we have handled a lot of truck accident cases like yours before, it’s going to be nearly impossible to know exactly how much compensation you will get when you first meet with us. We need some time to get to know your case first.

If you’ve ever met with a lawyer who tells you that they can promise you a certain compensation award before they have done any thorough investigation on your case, that’s not the lawyer you want to hire. Our Southwest Florida semi truck accident lawyers understand that in order to find out what your case value is, we need to understand exactly how much it impacted your life and how it will continue to impact your life as you recover and become whole again from your injuries. This is not something that we find out in a couple of days. We need to get to know what your maximum medical recovery is going to look like.

The term maximum medical recovery has to do with how well you are supposed to get according to your doctors, how long that will take you to get there, and how much this is going to cost you in medical bills and enjoyment of life. Some doctors will tell you that your current state of recovery is as good as you’re going to get. Sometimes, it’s not where you were before. If you have permanent injuries from your truck accident, it’s important for us to know this. We might not be able to determine that for quite some time, but having this information is essential to ensuring your results are as full as they possibly can be. We can’t go back later on and ask for more compensation because we realize that you’re not going to return to full health and you deserve more.

Everyone’s compensation awards are going to be broken down based on two types of damages. The first type of damage that we are going to calculate for your case value are your economic damages. Your economic damages include your financial loss, which could be your medical bills or your lost wages if you had to miss out on time at work in order to recover from your injuries. The second type of damage is called non-economic damages. These have to do with the things that have affected your quality of life, such as pain and suffering and can be harder to value.  Here are just some of the damages we can help you secure money for: 

• Amounts paid for current medical care and the potential costs of necessary future medical treatment
• Lost wages and income
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Lost job opportunities and reduced earning capacity
• Rehabilitation and property damage
• Expenses related to funerals
• Loss of consortium or benefits that come from family relationships
• Reduced quality of life, inconvenience, disfigurement, and scarring

At Goldstein, Buckley, Cechman, Rice, Purtz, Smith & Smith, P.A. know we will fight for every penny to help get you justice.  

Why You Should Hire a Truck Accident Lawyer

When you are thinking about hiring our Southwest Florida truck accident lawyers, there are some things that you need to know. First, we understand that there is a common misconception that lawyers are expensive. When you hire a lawyer for a personal injury case such as a truck accident, you are not going to be paying them anything upfront or out of pocket to access their services. Personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, which means that, unless they win your case, they don’t get paid. A small portion of your winnings will go to paying your lawyer.

You are more likely to get a fair result when you have the help of our Southwest Florida truck accident lawyers working on your case than if you were to try to do this alone, because lawyers are going to be able to foresee challenges you might face. You would also have to become an expert in truck accident cases in order to represent yourself sufficiently and that is something that most people don’t have the time, energy, or resources to do. You are saving yourself a headache when you hire a lawyer to handle your case.

In truck accident cases, there may be critical evidence such as black box data downloads from the vehicles or dash cam footage capturing the actual crash. Unlike regular public vehicles, trucks are subject to numerous regulations. For example, there are limits on how long drivers can be on the road without rest, mandatory vehicle inspections at specific intervals, and additional certifications required for truck drivers that are not part of a standard driver’s license. It’s essential to ensure that trucking companies are adhering to these regulations. If they are not, such noncompliance can serve as evidence of negligence.

Experienced Truck Accident Lawyers Near Me In SW Florida

For more than sixty-three years, we have been committed to supporting survivors of big-truck accidents and families mourning the loss of loved ones in various types of truck-related incidents. Regardless of the kind of accident you’ve been through, we are here to help identify its cause and seek the compensation you deserve. With all this experience we have identified many types of accidents involving commercial motor vehicle accidents:

Tire blowouts are one of the dangers that can lead to serious accidents. When a commercial truck experiences a blowout, the driver may lose control, leading to head-on collisions, jackknife accidents, rollovers, or crashes involving other vehicles. In areas with heavy traffic, blowouts can even result in multi-car pileups. These incidents often happen because of faulty tires, poor quality re-tread tires, or poor inspections and maintenance by the driver or the trucking company.

Another concern is bobtail accidents, which involve a tractor-trailer being driven without a trailer attached. These trucks are designed to carry heavy weight in the back, balancing out the weight on the front wheels. Without a trailer, the weight shifts mostly to the front wheels (because of the weight of the diesel engine), making the truck harder to control and maneuver. This imbalance also increases the stopping distance, especially on wet roads, and allows the truck to gain speed more quickly, raising the risk of accidents.

Rear-end collisions involving semi trucks are also particularly dangerous. Unlike minor fender benders between passenger cars, when a large truck rear-ends a car, the results are often severe. The force of the impact can push a car into intersections, other vehicles, or fixed objects, sometimes causing explosions.

Blind Squeeze accidents occur when a truck driver swings the cab slightly to the left before making a tight right turn to create more space for the trailer. If the driver fails to use a turn signal or swings too widely, other drivers might mistakenly think the truck is turning left or merging into another lane. This confusion can lead to cars getting trapped between the truck’s trailer and the curb.

Underride accidents is where a car ends up lodged under a large truck. These accidents can happen when a vehicle rear-ends a truck that stops suddenly or gets swept under the trailer while driving beside it. Underride accidents are often fatal due to the lack of adequate rear and side guards on many trucks. While new regulations from NHTSA require stronger rear guards on new trucks, many older models on the road still lack sufficient safety features.

Lost load truck accidents happen when a poorly secured load falls from a truck, creating dangerous debris on the road. Drivers may swerve to avoid the objects, often leading to collisions. It is the driver’s responsibility to ensure all cargo is properly secured before hitting the road.

A jackknife accident occurs when the trailer of a tractor-trailer skids sideways while still attached to the cab, forming a 90-degree angle (or sometimes worse when the trailer can slide in front of the tractor). When this happens, the truck driver loses control, creating the potential for high-impact collisions with cars caught in the trailer’s path. These accidents can result from a driver braking too abruptly, turning too sharply, or encountering vehicle malfunctions. On busy highways like Interstate 75 and US-41 Tamiami Trail, jackknife accidents can block lanes and cause multi-vehicle crashes, particularly in high-speed traffic.

Rollovers are another type of accident we frequently see. These crashes are especially hazardous when large commercial trucks are involved. The substantial weight of a big truck during a rollover can crush smaller vehicles, putting drivers and passengers at risk for severe injuries, including crushing injuries, head trauma, and neck injuries. Rollovers tend to happen on curves, such as on-ramps and off-ramps, particularly when truck drivers fail to adjust their speed to account for the height and weight of their vehicles. Sharp turns, veering off the road during a turn, or improperly loaded cargo can also increase the likelihood of a rollover. It’s not just tractor-trailers that are vulnerable to rollovers. Cement trucks and tri-axle dump trucks commonly seen coming out of our local gravel pits, have a top-heavy design, the carried load is not between the frame rails and the high center of gravity while carrying a full load means they have significant rollover risks. 

Reach Out to a Southwest Florida Truck Accident Lawyer Right Away

The Florida statute of limitations is two years on most cases. This means that you have two years until your legal deadline prevents you from bringing a case against the liable party for your accident. We understand that this might seem like a very long time for you and most people might agree that this is a huge timeline, but when you are involved in an accident, the natural priority is going to be your well-being and how you are going to live with these injuries that you have. It’s easy to let something like hiring a lawyer slip from your mind if you aren’t actively concerned about it.

The worst thing that we could see is you missing out on getting the justice that you need because you didn’t call our Southwest Florida truck accident lawyers as soon as you could. Even if you waited several months to reach out to a lawyer, you are risking your evidence going missing or being erased. For example, if there were local businesses around that had CCTV footage of the accident but they record over there tapes every month and you waited too long, you don’t get that evidence anymore. What’s more, if the truck company thought that you might file a claim, they could delete the information on the black box of the truck, which would make it very difficult for you to prove that the truck accident was their fault. Your witnesses will also forget important information about your case if you wait too long.

We can’t file a claim past your statute of limitation. We would have a very hard time creating a successful case without good evidence proving our claim that the liable party was directly responsible for your injuries. We urge you to fill out a form and set up a free consultation as soon as you can.

Things That Could Ruin Your Semi Tractor Trailer Accident Case

• Filing a claim means pursuing compensation from the liable party’s insurance company. Both your truck accident lawyers and the insurer know that your case is delicate—any mistake can jeopardize your chances.
• Admitting fault, even partially, can significantly reduce your compensation. Florida uses modified comparative negligence laws, which means your settlement is reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you're 30% at fault, you'll only receive 70% of the compensation.
• Giving a recorded statement to the insurance company is risky. They may use your words against you to minimize or deny your claim entirely. This is a common tactic insurers use to protect their bottom line.
• Speaking directly to the at-fault party’s insurance company without legal counsel can hurt your case. It's easy to say something that may be misconstrued and used to reduce your settlement.
• Legally, the insurance company only needs basic facts—your contact information and confirmation that you were involved in the accident. They do not need a recorded statement, despite what they may claim.
• Allowing your lawyer to handle all communication with the insurer protects your rights. Your attorney knows how to avoid the traps insurers set to get damaging information.
• Insurance companies often act in bad faith to avoid paying fair compensation. We believe this behavior violates your rights as an injured person entitled to financial recovery.
• At Goldstein, Buckley, Cechman, Rice, Purtz, Smith & Smith, P.A., we don’t tolerate insurers who try to take advantage of injured victims. If necessary, we’ll take your case to trial to secure the compensation you deserve.

Frequently asked questions about truck accident cases:

Q: What insurance covers me after a truck accident?

A: In Florida’s no-fault insurance system, your Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage comes into play if you’ve been hurt in a large truck accident. PIP can cover up to 80 percent of your medical expenses and 60 percent of your lost wages, with a maximum limit of $10,000.

When injuries are severe, it’s possible to pursue a claim against the truck driver, the trucking company, and any other parties responsible for the accident to recover damages that PIP does not address.

One of the key aspects of a truck accident lawyer in SW Florida is determining all at-fault parties and identifying every available insurance policy. Goldstein, Buckley, Cechman, Rice, Purtz, Smith & Smith, P.A. knows this approach helps ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve.

Q: What are common injuries after a truck accident?

A: The type of truck accident you’re involved in can significantly impact the kinds of injuries you may suffer. Some of the most common injuries we encounter include the following:

• Head injuries, which can result in traumatic brain injuries, cognitive impairment, and lifelong physical disabilities
• Spinal cord injuries, potentially causing full or partial paralysis, weakness, chronic pain, and other lasting disabilities
• Whiplash and neck injuries, which may lead to chronic nerve pain, the need for physical therapy, or even quadriplegia
• Back injuries such as compression fractures, herniated discs, broken vertebrae, and pinched nerves, often requiring surgical intervention and pain management
• Multiple broken or crushed bones, including ribs, arms, legs, or bones in the back, some of which may need surgical repair
• Severe second- and third-degree burns, which can lead to permanent scarring, disfigurement, and long-term health challenges, reducing quality of life
• Internal bleeding and organ damage caused by the force of the collision or broken bones
• Significant limb damage, which in some cases may lead to loss of use or amputation

After an accident, it is crucial to follow your prescribed treatment plan. Doing so not only aids in your recovery but also serves as key evidence to demonstrate the severity of your injuries and the financial impact they’ve had.

Q: What if I was partly at fault in a truck accident?

A: At Goldstein, Buckley, Cechman, Rice, Purtz, Smith & Smith, P.A. we understand how complex these cases can be, especially when liability comes into play. Florida’s modified comparative negligence rule can significantly impact your ability to recover damages. If you’re more than 50 percent at fault for a truck accident, you won’t be able to recover compensation. However, if your fault is 50 percent or less, your damages will be reduced based on your percentage of blame.

When you reach out to our Florida truck accident attorneys in Fort Myers, Naples, Port Charlotte, Lehigh Acres and Cape Coral, we will thoroughly examine your case from every angle. Our goal is to uncover how the accident happened and determine who should be held accountable. Once we identify the responsible parties, we work tirelessly to pursue the damages you’re entitled to.

You shouldn’t let the issue of fault stop you from contacting us. Even if you believe you could have handled things differently before the accident, know we are committed to finding evidence that reduces your level of responsibility to below 51 percent. This approach will help ensure you have the opportunity to recover the compensation you deserve.

Remember, no statement from law enforcement or a trucking company solidifies fault without a proper forensic investigation. Police reports, police interviews, and even traffic tickets cannot be used against you as evidence of fault in court. Goldstein, Buckley, Cechman, Rice, Purtz, Smith & Smith, P.A. is here to guide you through the process and fight for your best possible outcome. #JusticeStartsNow

Q: How common are truck accidents here in SW Florida?

A: According to FLHSMV there have been 3,373 Commercial Vehicle (big truck) Crashes in 2023 within Lee, Charlotte and Collier county Florida. Out of those crashes 20 were fatal and 709 had injuries.

Truck accidents are a statewide problem here in Florida. A staggering 47,197 commercial vehicle accidents were reported in the Sunshine State in 2023—an average of over 129 truck accidents per day! These accidents injured 12,394 people and caused a tragic 330 deaths.

Call Our Southwest Florida Truck Accident Lawyers Today

If you have suffered a serious injury during a truck accident that you did not cause, you are likely eligible to receive justice in the form of compensation for your case. We take your damages and injuries very seriously and we will fight tirelessly to ensure that you get the results that you deserve. Call our office to set up your free consultation with our Southwest Florida truck accident lawyers near me right away.