How Florida Laws Differ for Commercial Truck Accidents vs. Standard Car Accidents

Florida’s roads and highways are shared by both personal vehicles and large commercial trucks, making accidents involving semi-trucks, delivery trucks, and other commercial vehicles a serious concern. While all motor vehicle accidents can result in severe injuries and property damage, crashes involving commercial trucks are legally distinct from standard car accidents due to federal trucking regulations, higher insurance requirements, and complex liability issues.

If you are involved in an accident with a commercial truck, it’s crucial to understand the key legal differences that may impact your ability to recover compensation. Our West Palm Beach truck accident attorneys discuss how Florida’s laws differ for truck accidents vs. standard car crashes, including liability issues, insurance rules, and legal options for victims.

1. Different Liability Standards for Commercial Trucks vs. Cars

Standard Car Accidents: Driver Negligence and Personal Liability

In typical car accidents, determining fault is usually straightforward—it often comes down to whether a driver was:

• Speeding or driving negligently
• Distracted (e.g., texting, using GPS)
• Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• Failing to yield, running red lights, or violating traffic laws

In these cases, the at-fault driver’s personal auto insurance is responsible for covering damages.

Commercial Truck Accidents: Multiple Parties May Be Liable

Truck accident liability is far more complex because multiple parties may share responsibility for the crash, including:

• The truck driver (if they were fatigued, intoxicated, or reckless).
• The truck driver’s employer (which may be the trucking company or some other entity).
• The trucking company (if they employed the driver, failed to vet the driver, or failed to train or monitor the driver properly).
• A cargo loading company (if improperly secured cargo caused the crash).
• The truck manufacturer (if a mechanical failure, such as faulty brakes, was involved).

Since commercial trucking involves multiple entities (truck owner, truck lessee, motor carrier, broker, etc.), lawsuits often involve many parties all of which were involved in operating one truck, making truck accident claims more complicated than standard car accident cases.

2. Insurance Requirements: Commercial Trucks Carry Higher Coverage Limits

Because commercial trucks weigh significantly more than passenger vehicles, they can cause catastrophic injuries and damages, which is why higher insurance requirements apply to trucking companies.

Under federal law (49 CFR § 387.9), commercial trucks must carry at least:

• $750,000 in liability coverage for standard trucks.
• $1 million to $5 million in coverage for trucks carrying hazardous materials.

This higher coverage means that truck accident victims often have a better chance of recovering full compensation—but it also means insurance companies will fight aggressively to reduce or deny claims.

3. Federal vs. State Regulations

The Operation of a Personal Vehicle is Governed by Florida Traffic Laws

State traffic laws, including speed limits, DUI laws, and right-of-way rules govern the operation of personal vehicles, and thus, most car accidents in Florida involve these laws.

The Operation of a Tractor Trailer is Governed by State and Federal Trucking Laws

Because many commercial trucks operate across state lines, they must follow both Florida trucking laws and federal regulations, including:

• Hours of Service (HOS) Rules – Truck drivers must follow strict driving limits to prevent fatigue-related crashes. Under 49 CFR § 395, drivers cannot exceed 11 hours of driving per day and must take mandatory rest breaks.
• Vehicle Maintenance Requirements – Trucking companies must inspect and repair their vehicles regularly to ensure road safety.
• Weight Limits and Cargo Securement – Federal law imposes weight limits on commercial trucks and requires properly secured cargo to prevent rollovers and load spills.

If a trucking company or driver violates federal safety rules, it can be used as evidence of negligence in a lawsuit.

4. Different Evidence is Available in Trucking Accidents

Evidence in trucking cases can disappear quickly because:

• Trucking companies only keep records (such as driver logs and maintenance reports) for a limited time.
• Black box data (which records speed, braking, and driving time) may be erased if not preserved.
• Surveillance footage from highway or local surveillance cameras may be deleted within weeks.

Because trucking companies aggressively defend against lawsuits, victims should act quickly to preserve this critical evidence and file their claims.

5. Compensation: Truck Accidents Often Involve Higher Settlements

Due to larger insurance policies and the potential for severe injuries, truck accident settlements are often substantially higher than car accident claims. Victims may recover:

• Medical expenses (past and future)
• Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Property damage
• Punitive damages (if the trucking company was grossly negligent)

Since commercial trucking accidents can cause life-altering injuries, such as spinal cord damage, traumatic brain injuries, amputations, and even death, compensation in these cases can exceed millions of dollars.

Contact Smith, Ball, Báez & Prather

While both car and commercial truck accidents can result in serious injuries, Florida law treats them very differently. Truck accident cases are more complex, involving federal regulations, higher insurance coverage, and multiple liable parties.

Because trucking companies have teams of attorneys and insurance adjusters working to reduce payouts, victims of truck crashes should seek legal representation as soon as possible.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck or car accident, the attorneys at Smith, Ball, Báez & Prather can help. We have extensive experience handling complex trucking accident claims, ensuring victims recover the full compensation they deserve.

Contact us today for a free consultation to discuss your legal options.

Sources:

ecfr.gov/current/title-49/subtitle-B/chapter-III/subchapter-B/part-387/subpart-A/section-387.9

leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0600-0699/0627/Sections/0627.736.html

leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0000-0099/0095/Sections/0095.11.html