Truck Accident Attorney in Tallahassee

Injured in a Tallahassee Semi-Truck Crash? Get Direct Access to Attorney Milles.

Interstate 10 runs through Tallahassee, and Mr. Milles has represented those injured in trucking accidents on I-10. According to the National Safety Council (NSC), 5,472 people died in collisions with large trucks in 2023. As a Tallahassee truck accident attorney, Mr. Milles has experience holding negligent trucking companies accountable. Distracted driving, including texting or talking on a cell phone, and following too closely can contribute to avoidable traffic accidents.

Truck accidents often result in severe injuries due to the size and weight of commercial vehicles compared to passenger cars. Victims might experience extended recovery times or permanent disabilities that affect their personal and professional lives. An investigation into a commercial truck crash can examine driver conduct, carrier practices, vehicle maintenance, cargo loading, electronic records, scene evidence, and available insurance coverage. Milles Law can investigate the circumstances of the accident and gather evidence critical to evaluating a claim.

Contact Milles Law to discuss the case and next steps with a truck accident lawyer.

Who Is Responsible for a Truck Accident?

Truck accident claims may involve one or more defendants, including the driver.

However, additional defendants in a case might include:

• The Trucking Company. Trucking companies may be responsible if evidence shows they failed to properly train drivers, hired drivers unqualified to operate a commercial vehicle, used poor maintenance practices, or operated unsafe commercial vehicles.
• Loading Companies. Commercial trucks can experience rollover accidents when loads shift in transit. Cargo loading companies may be required to load these multi-ton vehicles carefully and within applicable guidelines.
• Auto Parts Manufacturers. Like regular passenger vehicles, commercial vehicles can suffer from dangerous defects. If a commercial auto parts manufacturer releases a dangerous product, it may be liable for damages caused by that product.
• Government Entities. Government agencies may move supplies and materials in large vehicles. These entities may cause accidents for many of the same reasons private entities cause accidents.

Whether compensation can be sought against a trucking company depends on the circumstances and evidence. A Tallahassee truck accident attorney at Milles Law can review that evidence to identify potentially responsible parties.

Trucking Laws & Regulations

Truck accidents happen for many reasons, but fatigued driving is one concern in commercial-motor-vehicle cases. Drivers and carriers may be subject to Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations, while Florida law also addresses separate requirements for certain intrastate operations. Records showing compliance or noncompliance can be important evidence in a truck accident investigation.

Hours of Service Regulations

The federal hours-of-service rules for many property-carrying commercial drivers limit driving time and require off-duty time. These rules generally apply to drivers engaged in interstate commerce, while Florida has separate provisions and exceptions for some intrastate operations.

Federal property-carrying rules generally include:

• An 11-hour driving limit after 10 consecutive hours off duty
• A 14-hour on-duty window after 10 consecutive hours off duty
• A 30-minute break after 8 cumulative hours of driving
• 60-hour or 70-hour weekly limits, subject to applicable exceptions

Driver logs, electronic logging data, dispatch communications, inspection reports, truck maintenance records, cargo records, and post-crash testing may help show what occurred before a collision. A regulatory violation can be relevant evidence, but it doesn’t automatically establish liability or determine recoverable damages. Milles Law can investigate whether applicable regulations were followed at the time of the accident.

What to Do After a Truck Accident

After a big-rig crash, immediate medical and safety needs come first. Prompt medical evaluation can address health concerns and document symptoms and treatment, while photographs, witness details, vehicle information, and available video may help preserve facts that can become harder to obtain later.

Steps to take include:

• Call 911 immediately: Report the accident and request law enforcement and emergency medical assistance.
• Seek medical attention: Even if injuries seem minor, get evaluated promptly for personal safety and to document the condition.
• Document the scene: Take photos of vehicles, road conditions, and visible injuries. Collect names, insurance information, contact information, driver’s license numbers, and the trucking company name from the driver. Obtain names and contact information from witnesses.
• Notify the insurance company: Report the accident promptly, but avoid guessing about fault or giving a recorded statement before understanding what information is being requested.

A semi-truck accident attorney can help manage communications with insurance companies and work to preserve evidence.