Truck Accident Attorney in Hernando County

When a truck accident devastates your life in Hernando County, you need legal advocates who understand both Florida’s complex commercial vehicle laws and the unique challenges facing victims of these catastrophic crashes. At Lowman Law Firm, our Hernando County truck accident attorney has spent over two decades helping crash victims secure the compensation they deserve while navigating the aftermath of serious accidents involving commercial trucks, tractor-trailers, and other large vehicles.

Operating from our conveniently located Brooksville office at 31 S Main St and our Spring Hill office at 11029 Spring Hill Dr, we serve truck accident victims throughout Hernando County. With Florida experiencing over 32,000 commercial truck accidents annually and large trucks accounting for 6% of all traffic crashes but 17% of fatalities, having knowledgeable local legal representation can mean the difference between fair compensation and financial devastation.

The Reality of Truck Accidents in Hernando County

Hernando County’s rapidly growing population of 212,807 residents and expanding road network create unique challenges for commercial truck traffic. The county serves as a major transportation corridor between Florida’s major metropolitan areas, with Interstate 75, US-19, and State Road 50 carrying thousands of commercial vehicles daily.

According to Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles data, Florida recorded 44,271 truck accidents involving commercial motor vehicles in recent years, representing over 11% of all traffic accidents. These crashes resulted in 361 fatalities, with 70.4% of those killed being occupants of other vehicles rather than truck drivers. This sobering statistic underscores the devastating impact truck accidents have on innocent motorists sharing the road with commercial vehicles.

The number of fatal crashes involving large trucks has increased by 52% from 2010 to 2021, with Florida consistently ranking among the top states for truck-related fatalities. In 2024, there were 76,682 commercial truck and bus crashes nationwide, with Florida accounting for a significant portion of these devastating incidents.

Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Hernando County

Understanding what causes truck accidents helps victims and their families recognize when they have valid legal claims against trucking companies and drivers. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration studies show that commercial trucks cause approximately 55% of all collisions between trucks and passenger vehicles.

Driver Fatigue

Truck driver fatigue remains one of the leading causes of commercial vehicle accidents. Despite federal Hours of Service regulations requiring mandatory rest periods, drivers often face pressure from employers to meet unrealistic delivery schedules. Fatigued drivers have slower reaction times, impaired judgment, and may fall asleep behind the wheel, creating deadly situations on Hernando County roads.

Distracted Driving

Even professional truck drivers aren’t immune to the dangers of distracted driving. Cell phone use, eating, adjusting GPS devices, and other distractions can have catastrophic consequences when operating an 80,000-pound commercial vehicle. The sheer size and weight of trucks amplify the consequences of even momentary lapses in attention.

Speeding and Reckless Driving

NHTSA data indicates that more than 21% of truck drivers involved in fatal crashes have at least one previous speeding conviction. Excessive speed is particularly dangerous for commercial vehicles due to their extended stopping distances and reduced maneuverability, especially on Hernando County’s rural highways and construction zones.

Impaired Driving

Approximately 3% of truck drivers involved in fatal accidents were intoxicated according to recent data. While this percentage may seem small, impaired driving accidents involving 80,000-pound commercial trucks are often devastating and completely preventable.

Poor Vehicle Maintenance

Brake failures, tire blowouts, and other mechanical issues often result from insufficient maintenance by trucking companies cutting costs. Federal regulations require regular inspections and maintenance, but some companies fail to comply, putting public safety at risk.

Improper Loading and Cargo Issues

Overloaded trucks, improperly secured cargo, and unbalanced loads can cause trucks to become unstable, leading to rollovers or cargo spills that create hazardous conditions for other drivers.

Types of Truck Accident Cases We Handle

Tractor-Trailer Collisions

Semi-truck and eighteen-wheeler accidents often result in the most severe injuries due to the massive size and weight differential between commercial vehicles and passenger cars. These cases typically involve complex liability issues with multiple potentially responsible parties.

Delivery Truck Accidents

UPS, FedEx, Amazon, and other delivery truck accidents have increased significantly with the growth of e-commerce. These vehicles make frequent stops and often operate in residential areas where drivers may not expect large commercial vehicles.

Construction Vehicle Crashes

Dump trucks, concrete mixers, and other construction vehicles frequently travel Hernando County roads serving the area’s ongoing development. These vehicles often carry heavy loads and may track debris onto roadways, creating additional hazards.

Tanker Truck Accidents

Accidents involving tanker trucks carrying fuel, chemicals, or other hazardous materials pose extreme dangers including explosions, fires, and environmental contamination. These cases require immediate investigation and specialized handling.

Garbage and Waste Management Truck Accidents

Waste management vehicles make frequent stops and often have limited visibility, leading to accidents with other motorists, pedestrians, and cyclists throughout Hernando County neighborhoods.

Bus Accidents

School bus, transit bus, and charter bus accidents present unique challenges due to the number of potential victims and complex insurance coverage issues involving government entities or large transportation companies.

Understanding Florida’s Truck Accident Laws

Truck accident cases are governed by both Florida state laws and federal regulations administered by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Our Hernando County truck accident attorney helps clients navigate these complex overlapping legal frameworks while protecting their rights to fair compensation.

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations

Commercial trucks must comply with extensive federal regulations covering driver qualifications, hours of service, vehicle maintenance, cargo securement, and more. Violations of these regulations can establish negligence and liability in truck accident cases.

Commercial Driver’s License Requirements

Truck drivers must hold valid Commercial Driver’s Licenses (CDL) and may not drive with certain disqualifying conditions. Trucking companies have duties to verify driver qualifications and monitor their driving records.

Insurance Requirements

Commercial trucks must carry much higher insurance coverage than passenger vehicles, typically ranging from $750,000 to $5 million depending on the type of cargo. This higher coverage is necessary due to the severe damages these vehicles can cause.

Hours of Service Regulations

Federal law limits how long truck drivers may operate their vehicles before taking mandatory rest breaks. Electronic logging devices (ELDs) now track compliance, making it easier to prove violations that may have contributed to accidents.

Vicarious Liability

Trucking companies can be held liable for their drivers’ actions under various legal theories, including respondeat superior, negligent hiring, negligent supervision, and negligent entrustment. This allows victims to pursue compensation from companies with deeper pockets than individual drivers.

Common Truck Accident Injuries

Truck accidents typically result in more severe injuries than typical car crashes due to the massive size and weight of commercial vehicles. Understanding these injuries helps victims recognize the full scope of their damages and the need for comprehensive medical care.

Traumatic Brain Injuries

Head injuries from truck accidents can range from concussions to severe traumatic brain injuries causing permanent cognitive impairment, personality changes, and physical disabilities requiring lifetime care.

Spinal Cord Injuries

The tremendous forces involved in truck accidents frequently damage the spinal cord, potentially resulting in partial or complete paralysis. These injuries often require immediate emergency surgery and extended rehabilitation.

Crush Injuries

When passenger vehicles are trapped under or between commercial trucks, occupants can suffer devastating crush injuries affecting limbs, organs, and bones. These injuries often require multiple surgeries and may result in amputations.

Burns

Truck accidents involving fuel spills, chemical cargo, or vehicle fires can cause severe burns requiring extensive treatment including skin grafts and reconstructive surgery. Burn victims often face lengthy recovery periods and permanent scarring.

Internal Injuries

The impact forces in truck accidents can cause serious internal injuries including organ damage, internal bleeding, and abdominal trauma that may not be immediately apparent but require emergency surgery.

Multiple Fractures

Victims often suffer multiple broken bones requiring surgical repair with plates, rods, or other hardware. Complex fractures may require multiple surgeries and extensive physical therapy.

Compensation Available for Truck Accident Victims

Truck accident victims in Hernando County may be entitled to significantly higher compensation than typical car accident cases due to the severity of injuries and higher insurance coverage carried by commercial vehicles.

Economic Damages

• Medical Expenses: Emergency treatment, surgery, hospitalization, rehabilitation, and ongoing medical care
• Lost Wages: Income lost during recovery and treatment periods
• Property Damage: Vehicle repair or replacement plus personal property damaged in the crash
• Future Medical Care: Long-term treatment, therapy, medications, and adaptive equipment
• Lost Earning Capacity: Reduced ability to earn income due to permanent disabilities
• Home and Vehicle Modifications: Accessibility modifications needed due to disabilities

Non-Economic Damages

• Pain and Suffering: Physical pain and discomfort from injuries and treatment
• Emotional Distress: Anxiety, depression, and trauma resulting from the accident
• Loss of Enjoyment of Life: Inability to participate in activities you previously enjoyed
• Scarring and Disfigurement: Permanent changes to appearance requiring reconstructive surgery
• Loss of Consortium: Impact on relationships with spouse and family members

Punitive Damages

In cases involving particularly egregious conduct by trucking companies or drivers, Florida courts may award punitive damages designed to punish wrongdoers and deter similar behavior.

Immediate Steps After a Hernando County Truck Accident

The actions you take immediately after a truck accident can significantly impact your ability to recover compensation. Truck accident scenes are often complex with multiple agencies responding, making it crucial to protect your rights from the start.

1. Ensure Safety: Move away from traffic if possible and call 911 immediately
2. Seek Medical Attention: Request ambulance service even if injuries seem minor
3. Document Everything: Take extensive photos of vehicles, the accident scene, road conditions, skid marks, and any visible injuries
4. Gather Information: Collect truck driver information, trucking company details, insurance information, and DOT numbers
5. Find Witnesses: Obtain contact information from anyone who witnessed the accident
6. Preserve Evidence: Don’t allow your vehicle to be moved until properly documented
7. Avoid Statements: Don’t discuss fault or give recorded statements to insurance companies
8. Contact Our Office: Call (352) 796-0016 or (352) 540-7777 as soon as possible

Learn more about common causes of trucking accidents and 3 things to know about truck accidents.

Working with Insurance Companies

Truck accident cases involve multiple insurance companies, often including the trucking company’s insurer, the driver’s personal coverage, cargo insurers, and potentially others. These companies employ teams of lawyers and investigators who respond immediately to minimize their exposure.

Common Insurance Company Tactics

• Immediate Response Teams: Trucking companies dispatch investigators to accident scenes within hours to gather evidence favorable to their position
• Quick Settlement Offers: Unreasonably low offers made before the full extent of injuries is known
• Blame Shifting: Attempting to place fault on the victim or other parties to reduce liability
• Medical Record Requests: Seeking extensive medical histories to find pre-existing conditions
• Surveillance: Following victims to contradict injury claims
• Delay Tactics: Prolonging the process hoping victims will accept lower settlements due to financial pressure

How Our Attorney Protects You

Our Hernando County truck accident attorney understands the complex insurance landscape and aggressive tactics used by trucking companies. We immediately begin our own investigation, preserve crucial evidence, and handle all communications with insurance companies while building the strongest possible case for maximum compensation.

Proudly Serving All of Hernando County

Brooksville | Spring Hill | Spring Lake | Ridge Manor