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We understand the strain that medical bills and lost income can put on you and your family, and we’ve helped thousands of clients just like you put their lives back together after an accident. Regardless of the severity of your injuries, you have the right to seek the maximum compensation that our laws allow.
After a semi-truck accident, the injury attorneys at Harrell & Harrell will investigate liability by immediately preserving and analyzing specialized evidence, including the truck’s black box (ECM) data and FMCSA hours-of-service logs, to prove negligence by the driver or the trucking company under federal regulations.
Truck accident attorneys in Florida have to have a thorough understanding of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations as published in the Code of Federal Regulations by the United States Department of Transportation. With today’s crowded roadways, the number of traffic fatalities and major accidents involving trucks used for commerce has continued to increase each year. If you or a loved one has been injured in a trucking accident, it is most important to document the details of the events surrounding the incident as soon as possible. The Florida Legislature recently incorporated the federal government’s truck regulations into state law to ensure that the same laws govern intrastate truck accidents and interstate truck accidents.
An immediate investigation of a commercial truck accident by authorities may uncover critical information that can help your truck accident attorney evaluate your personal injury or wrongful death claim. Truck accident cases can be complex because it is often necessary to determine what caused the crash and which parties may be responsible for the damages.
Harrell & Harrell, P.A., will provide a free case consultation at our Jacksonville law office with no cost or obligation to you. If your truck accident attorney determines you do have a case, successful negotiation for a settlement in a truck accident case could occur at any point, including:
After a serious semi-truck or 18-wheeler crash, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) typically performs a full accident investigation to determine what happened and who is responsible. Investigators collect information from the truck’s cab, analyze public records, and review details that may influence liability, insurance issues, or even potential criminal charges.
FDOT investigators collect information from the truck’s cab—such as the vehicle’s manufacturer, model, and gross weight rating—and compare it with public records to confirm ownership and insurance. This analysis helps determine liability for the crash and may uncover safety violations. In cases involving severe negligence, the findings may be sent to the Florida State Attorney’s Office for review of possible criminal charges.
Commercial truck drivers must maintain detailed logs documenting driving hours, rest periods, inspections, and compliance with federal and state safety rules. These logs often reveal whether the driver worked excessive hours, skipped required breaks, or operated an overloaded vehicle. Overloading is a recurring factor in serious truck accidents, and exceeding the manufacturer’s weight limits can establish liability when braking or handling is compromised.
Any driver operating a commercial truck weighing 26,000 pounds or more must hold a valid commercial driver’s license (CDL) and be properly certified for the vehicle. Employers also have legal responsibilities, including conducting background checks, reviewing driving and criminal history, and ensuring each driver has an up-to-date medical exam. Failure to meet these duties can contribute to employer liability when a crash occurs.
Drowsy driving or driving while fatigued can be every bit as dangerous as drunk driving, but the former doesn’t always get the attention it deserves for its dangerous potential. Data provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) demonstrates how drowsy driving is a major problem, with the CDD noting that the “risk, danger, and often tragic results of drowsy driving are alarming.”
What makes drowsy driving particularly dangerous is that no one can predict exactly when the effects of lack of sleep will take over, and this can be especially menacing when the vehicle is a large and heavy truck. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in just one year alone, drowsy driving was the cause of:
The CDC states these NHTSA numbers are in fact underestimated, with up to 6,000 fatal crashes per year potentially being caused by drowsy drivers. When drivers are fatigued, they pay less attention to the road, have slower response times, and less able to make good driving decisions.
Another factor that makes fatigued driving so dangerous is, according to the FMCSA is as follows: “Although many drivers feel that they know when they are getting drowsy, various laboratory tests have shown that persons are not good at estimating their own drowsiness.”
Included in the number of drivers who don’t recognize their own levels of fatigue are commercial truck drivers. So, when an accident happens, it’s crucial that black box data is preserved, with the right professionals on your side to investigate the safety record of the trucking company—and the sooner this investigation can take place, the better.
At Harrell & Harrell, P.A. we have our own experienced investigators who can delve into who is at fault for an accident, whether that’s the truck driver, the owner of the company, the employer, or perhaps even a broker. Our truck accident lawyers understand all the legal requirements for commercial trucking. In fact, our attorneys won the largest settlement to date in Clay County—$6.5 million—representing a young man who suffered a mild traumatic brain injury after a truck driver hit him head-on.
I’m so thankful for the team at Harrell & Harrell. They took so much off my hands and truly put me at ease during such a stressful time. Their compassion and professionalism made all the difference.
Outstanding Performance from our paralegal and attorney. Kept us informed every step of the process. Nice, friendly, staff. I would recommend them over any other firm. Couldn’t be happier we chose Harrell & Harrell.
They were always available to assist me during a difficult time and did everything they could to help me. I would definitely recommend them and wouldn’t hesitate to hire them again.
They handled everything from start to finish. Stress free experience. Highly recommend!
Thank you everyone for all you did to make this injury into a positive outcome.
Harrell & Harrell provided me with expert legal services and representation during my case. They were always proactive and responsive to my needs and I truly appreciate their fairness and the respect shown to me and my family.
Absolutely the best Attorneys anywhere. They truly care about you. They are very nice but tigers in the mediation and court room. I recommend them as highly as possible.
I will count on them if I have any further accident and will recommend any one I know to this wonderful Law Firm.
Everyone that was involved in my case were extremely thoughtful, supportive, and extremely hard working. I would definitely have them handle another case should one arise.
Legal affairs and associated proceedings are personal and serious. We are grateful for their representation.
Thank you so very much for all your hard work on my case.
I just wanted to express my sincere thanks for everything that you did for me concerning my case. I truly felt seen and heard. You and your team kept me in informed every step of the way and in turn that gave me a great sense of confidence that I had chosen the right legal team to represent me!
The Grover family wishes to express our sincere gratitude to you and your family for your genuine kindness.
Muchas gracias por su ayuda en todo. Dios te bendiga a usted y su familia.
Great team that’s very informative and caring. I will definitely recommend Harrell & Harrell.
Undoubtedly, I made the right decision in selecting Harrell & Harrell to represent me… I want to thank you for all the hard work you put into my case.
Thank you for everything, you gave me hope.
Thank you for your amazing service.
Very professional helpful and honest and they truly fight for you.
You never want to “need” a lawyer but when you do Harrell & Harrell should be your choice. Walked me through my case, never once did my questions go unanswered.
Thank you for your diligent and conscientious work regarding my case. You were always pleasant, helpful and polite. That was greatly appreciated.
Professional firm, professional staff, professional result.
Very professional and fast updates. No waiting on information and everything in a timely manner.
I was involved in an auto accident and turned to Harrell & Harrell to handle my case. The Team that offered their support to my case did an excellent job to deliver a fair and just settlement for my injuries in this incident.
My most sincere thanks in all you did in representing me for my disability hearing.
I have never been involved in a workman’s comp case and it gave me comfort and security to know that Harrell & Harrell handled everything!
Jerry and I both would like to thank you for everything you have done for us. Your hard work at keeping up with our case and in touch with us at all times.
My sincere thanks in all you did to successfully complete my case. Thank you for your hard work, great service, efficient communication, and lots of support. Your help changed my life!
From start to finish they went above and beyond keeping me informed, answering all my questions, and truly fighting for the best outcome. I’m grateful for the care and support they provided.
The Harrell & Harrell team worked diligently and passionately towards my settlement. They kept explanations simple and made it easy to follow along with everything going on.
Not only highly professional attorneys, but friendly and polished staff throughout the firm. Direct and effective communication during the entire process.
From start to finish, Harrell & Harrell provided outstanding customer service. They truly made me feel heard and understood regarding my case, and their team was always there to guide me through every step of the process.
Every decision was placed in my hands, accompanied by sound legal advice, allowing me to make confident choices. I am incredibly grateful for their compassion, dedication, and unwavering commitment to my case.
Great people to work with. These lawyers make it there business to be sure you get the settlement you deserve. Frank Gaulden and Holly Berrier are the best!!!
The team never made me think twice. They all made me feel like a partner of the firm, and not just some client! I highly recommend this firm for personal injury.
They kept us posted on our case and got they got the max settlement with out having to go to court. Thank you guys so much.
The Harrell & Harrell team were absolutely incredible, and integral to helping with my Workers Comp case. They were kind, caring, compassionate, and always responsive.
I had an amazing experience with Harrell and Harrell. They kept me informed and in contact throughout the whole process. I’m grateful for everything they have done and highly recommend them!
Excelente trabajo muy agradecida con ustedes gracias por todo. Son los mejores.
A: If the accident has just occurred, it’s important to get medical attention first, but the more quickly that you can contact an experienced truck accident lawyer, the faster the investigation can begin—and, with these types of accidents, time truly is of the essence. You can contact our experienced Florida truck accident attorneys at 800-251-1111 for an immediate response.
A: At a high level, three things must be established:
who was responsible for the accident
what caused the accident
who is liable for damages
As part of our process, we first offer a case evaluation to you at no charge to gather information about the accident. Determining the identity of the owner of the truck and hauler is a crucial first step that can sometimes be challenging. Typically, we can obtain the Department of Transport number and Motor Carrier Number found on the truck’s cab to trace legal ownership. In commercial transportation, the truck and hauler may belong to different entities or be separately leased.
We also request and obtain information known as engine control module data, or ECM data. This is information being recorded while the truck is in motion and can offer insights into how fast the driver was going, the braking patterns shortly before the accident and other data about what was taking place, up to the last 60 seconds before the crash.
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Other key steps include determining whether the driver was within hours of service compliance and identifying and talking to witnesses. If you believe you’re entitled to compensation because of a truck accident, contact us online for a free case review or call our Jacksonville law office at 800-251-1111.
A: No two situations are ever exactly alike, including truck accidents, but we can say that fatigue is playing a significant role in vehicle crashes. Often referred to as “drowsy driving,” the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is calling this phenomenon a major problem” that involves “risk danger, and often tragic results.”
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in just one year alone, drowsy driving was the cause of:
91,000 crashes
50,000 injuries
800 deaths
The CDC, in fact, believes the situation is significantly worse than that, suggesting that up to 6,000 fatal crashes take place every single year because of drowsy drivers.
A: Each case is unique, so we encourage you to schedule a free case consultation with our personal injury attorneys at no cost or obligation to you to discuss specifics. When our Jacksonville truck accident attorneys determine you have a case, settlements can be successfully negotiated at multiple points along the process, including:
during the initial discovery phase
during claim preparation
during post-claim preparation
during negotiations with the insurance company
because of court-ordered mediation
after a formal judicial process
A: Experience matters. If you or a loved one has been in a truck accident, you won’t want to spend long amounts of time debating which attorney to choose, because time is of the essence. On the other hand, you need an experienced attorney. Some efficient ways to find the right lawyer is to check websites for case studies, testimonials and other clear indications of experience.
Harrell & Harrell, P.A., won the largest settlement to date in Clay County—$6.5 million—representing a young man who suffered a mild traumatic brain injury after a truck driver hit him head-on. You can find client testimonials on our site, along with our attorneys’ experience in tackling tough personal injury cases.
It’s crucial that your attorney is well versed in the transportation laws, both federal ones and those of your state, particularly the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations. Recently, the Florida legislature incorporated federal truck regulations into state laws. This ensures that the same laws that govern intrastate truck accidents do so for interstate ones, as well.
Navigating a personal injury claim can be overwhelming. Our quick, easy-to-understand videos cover the most common questions we hear from clients — so you can feel informed and confident every step of the way.
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