Florida Semi-Truck Accident Attorneys

Representing Truck Accident Victims in Orlando, Winter Park, and Throughout Florida

More than 32 years of combined trial experience. Pursuing accountability and compensation after serious truck accidents.

A collision with a semi-truck can change your life in seconds. Serious injuries may leave you facing surgery, lost income, ongoing medical care, and uncertainty about your future. While you are recovering, the trucking company and its insurer may already be investigating the collision and preparing their defense.

You deserve experienced attorneys working to protect your interests, too.

At Tonelli & Tonelli, we represent people injured in accidents involving semi-trucks, tractor-trailers, 18-wheelers, and other commercial vehicles. From our office in Winter Park, we serve clients throughout Florida, investigating the crash, identifying responsible parties, and pursuing compensation for the harm they caused.

Preserving evidence promptly can be critical. You do not need the crash report, the trucking company’s records, or a complete understanding of what happened before contacting us.

Why Truck Accident Evidence Must Be Preserved Immediately

The deadline to file a lawsuit and the opportunity to preserve evidence are two different things.

Important truck accident evidence may be stored on a camera, inside the truck’s electronic systems, or on servers maintained by a motor carrier or technology provider. Video may be overwritten. Electronic records may be deleted under routine retention practices. A tractor or trailer may be repaired, altered, or returned to service before an inspection can be arranged.

Prompt action can help protect evidence that would otherwise become difficult—or impossible—to recover.

Depending on the equipment and circumstances, important evidence may include:

• Forward-facing dash camera footage showing traffic, lane positions, road conditions, and events leading up to impact.
• Driver-facing or in-cab “cockpit” camera footage that may help establish the driver’s attention and actions before the crash.
• Side- and rear-facing camera footage, where available, showing surrounding vehicles, lane changes, or trailer movement.
• Omnitracs and other fleet telematics data, which may include vehicle locations, routes, speed information, hard-braking events, and other operational records.
• Electronic logging device records and supporting documents showing reported driving time, duty status, and rest periods.
• Engine control module and other onboard electronic data, sometimes called “black box” data, that may provide information about vehicle operation around the collision.
• Dispatch messages and communications concerning routes, delivery schedules, instructions, and reported problems.
• Inspection, maintenance, and repair records, including records concerning brakes, tires, and other safety equipment.
• Driver qualification, training, and employment records.
• Cargo loading and securement records.
• Surveillance footage, witness recordings, and dash camera video from other vehicles.

Not every truck has every system. The available information depends on the equipment, configuration, and records actually maintained.

At Tonelli & Tonelli, we work to identify relevant evidence and send preservation notices to the appropriate parties. When necessary, we pursue vehicle inspections, electronic data downloads, and legal measures to obtain and protect evidence.

A preservation notice is an important step, but follow-through matters. Identifying who holds the evidence and pursuing its production are essential parts of the investigation.

Interstate vs. Intrastate Trucking: Which Safety Rules Apply?

Commercial trucking operations may be governed by federal motor carrier safety regulations, Florida requirements, or a combination of both. Determining which rules apply requires examining the transportation operation and the shipment involved.

A truck does not have to cross a state line during the accident trip to be engaged in interstate commerce. A trip entirely within Florida may still be part of interstate commerce when it is one leg of a shipment moving between states or countries.

Intrastate commerce generally involves transportation entirely within Florida that is not part of an interstate or international movement. Florida incorporates portions of the federal motor carrier safety regulations into its own requirements, with exemptions and modifications that can affect the analysis.

These distinctions can matter when evaluating:

• Driver qualifications and training.
• Driving hours, duty time, and required rest.
• Vehicle inspection, maintenance, and repair.
• Cargo securement.
• Recordkeeping and operational responsibilities.

Florida’s commercial motor vehicle safety statute, Section 316.302, addresses the application of safety requirements to interstate and intrastate operations.

A regulatory violation does not answer every question in a personal injury case. The investigation must also examine whether the unsafe conduct contributed to the collision and resulting injuries.

Understanding the applicable rules helps an attorney identify the right records, question witnesses effectively, and explain responsibility to a jury.

Who Owns the Tractor, Trailer, and Trucking Operation?

The name on the side of a truck may tell only part of the story.

The tractor may belong to one business and the trailer to another. The driver may work under an employment, leasing, or independent-contractor arrangement. Separate companies may arrange the shipment, load the cargo, or maintain the equipment.

Determining responsibility requires understanding those relationships and what each party actually did.

Depending on the facts and applicable law, responsible parties may include:

• The truck driver, for negligent driving that contributed to the collision.
• The motor carrier operating the truck, for responsibility arising from the driver’s conduct or its own unsafe practices.
• The tractor or trailer owner, where its role, conduct, or legal obligations support liability.
• An employer or company supplying the driver, where the relationship and circumstances support a claim.
• A maintenance or repair provider, if negligent work contributed to an equipment failure.
• A cargo loading company, if improper loading or securement contributed to the crash.
• A manufacturer, if a defective vehicle or component contributed to the injuries.
• Other parties involved in the transportation arrangement, where the evidence and applicable law establish responsibility.

Ownership alone does not resolve every liability question. Neither does a contract describing a driver as an “independent contractor.”

We examine ownership and leasing documents, employment relationships, operating authority, contracts, insurance policies, and the conduct of the parties involved. A company’s description of its role is the starting point for an investigation—not necessarily the final answer.

Why Experience Litigating Truck Accident Cases Matters

A serious trucking case can involve technical evidence, overlapping regulations, multiple businesses, and disputes over who controlled the driver, equipment, or shipment.

Important records may be held by a motor carrier, equipment owner, maintenance provider, or technology company. Obtaining and interpreting those records can require targeted discovery, testimony from company representatives, and qualified expert analysis.

It is important to work with attorneys who have experience litigating complex trucking cases and understand how to present the evidence clearly to a jury.

Effective preparation means identifying which records to pursue, which business relationships to investigate, and which questions to ask. It also means connecting the evidence to the collision and explaining how an unsafe decision or practice caused harm.

Bill and Charity Tonelli bring more than 32 years of combined trial experience. That experience informs how we evaluate disputed facts, prepare witnesses, and develop a case for presentation in court.

Common Causes of Semi-Truck Accidents

Semi-truck collisions can result from:

• Driver fatigue or violations of applicable driving-hour limits.
• Distracted driving, including phone use or attention diverted to in-cab devices.
• Speeding or driving too fast for traffic, weather, or road conditions.
• Following too closely.
• Unsafe lane changes, merging, or wide turns.
• Failure to yield or recognize stopped traffic.
• Impaired driving.
• Inadequate maintenance or defective brakes and tires.
• Improperly loaded or unsecured cargo.
• Inadequate training or supervision.

These failures can lead to rear-end collisions, jackknife crashes, rollovers, underride collisions, and crashes involving multiple vehicles.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s hours-of-service rules limit driving and duty time for covered drivers, subject to exceptions. Comparing reported hours with dispatch messages, location information, and supporting documents can help determine whether the records accurately reflect the driver’s activities.

Serious Truck Accident Injuries and Their Lasting Effects

Truck accident victims may suffer traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, fractures, internal injuries, burns, amputations, and permanent scarring or disfigurement.

Recovery may involve surgery, rehabilitation, and ongoing care. Some people cannot return to their former jobs. Others need help with daily activities or face lasting pain and emotional distress.

A thorough claim considers more than the medical bills that have arrived so far. It examines the medical outlook, future treatment needs, work limitations, and the effect of the injuries on everyday life.

When a truck accident causes a death, we help families evaluate a Florida wrongful death claim and understand the steps necessary to pursue it.

What Compensation May Be Available After a Truck Accident?

Depending on the circumstances and applicable law, compensation may include:

• Emergency treatment, hospitalization, surgery, and other medical expenses.
• Future medical care and rehabilitation.
• Lost income and reduced earning capacity.
• Necessary assistance, medical equipment, or home modifications.
• Physical pain and suffering.
• Scarring, disfigurement, and disability.
• Emotional distress and loss of enjoyment of life.
• Property damage.

We work to document these losses through medical records, employment information, and other evidence. When appropriate, qualified experts can help evaluate future care costs and the financial consequences of lasting injuries.

The existence of commercial insurance does not guarantee adequate compensation. Coverage, policy limits, exclusions, and competing claims may require careful investigation.

Before accepting a final settlement, it is important to understand both the extent of your injuries and the potential sources of recovery.

What If the Trucking Company Blames You?

A trucking company or insurer may argue that you stopped unexpectedly, stayed in a blind spot, changed lanes unsafely, or otherwise caused the collision.

An allegation is not proof.

Camera footage, electronic data, physical evidence, and witness testimony can help establish what happened. That is another reason to preserve evidence promptly rather than rely solely on competing recollections.

Under Florida’s comparative fault statute, an injured person’s share of responsibility can reduce compensation. In negligence cases subject to the current rule, a person found more than 50 percent responsible for their own harm cannot recover damages.

We examine the evidence supporting fault allegations and work to present a clear, supported account of the crash.

What to Do After a Semi-Truck Accident

Your safety and medical care come first. If you can do so safely:

• Call 911 and request appropriate emergency assistance.
• Obtain medical attention and explain your symptoms and how the collision occurred.
• Photograph the vehicles and scene, including damage, debris, roadway markings, and identifying information on the tractor and trailer.
• Record company names, USDOT numbers, license plates, and trailer numbers, if visible.
• Identify witnesses and save their contact information.
• Preserve your dash camera footage immediately. Save the original files and a backup before the device records over them.
• Keep records of treatment, expenses, missed work, and communications with insurers.
• Seek advice before authorizing repairs or disposal that could destroy important vehicle evidence.
• Understand any proposed settlement or release before signing.

You do not need to complete every step before contacting us. If you are hospitalized or unable to act, a family member can make the initial call.

How to Get Your Florida Truck Accident Crash Report

The Florida Crash Report Portal is the official online resource where eligible individuals can purchase and download a copy of their Florida crash report.

Obtaining the crash report is one of the first steps we take after being retained. You do not need to order it yourself or wait for it to become available before speaking with us.

The report is a useful starting point. It may not include truck camera footage, electronic data, company records, or every fact needed to establish responsibility. Our investigation looks beyond the report.

How Tonelli & Tonelli Helps

We work to preserve evidence, investigate the driver and trucking operation, identify responsible parties and available insurance coverage, and document the impact of your injuries.

When appropriate, we consult accident reconstruction professionals, trucking safety specialists, medical professionals, and other qualified experts. We handle communications and negotiations with insurers and opposing counsel, explain significant developments, and help you evaluate decisions throughout the case.

Preparation matters whether a case resolves through negotiation or proceeds to trial. We develop the evidence with an understanding of what must be proved and how it can be presented clearly.

If a fair resolution cannot be reached and litigation is necessary, we prepare to pursue your claim in court.

How Long Do You Have to File a Florida Truck Accident Lawsuit?

Under current Florida law, negligence claims are generally subject to a two-year filing deadline. The accident date, legal basis of the claim, and other circumstances can affect the applicable deadline or create additional requirements.

Do not assume that insurance negotiations extend the time to file a lawsuit.

More importantly, the filing deadline does not tell you how long critical evidence will remain available. A claim may still be within the legal filing period after important video or electronic data has been lost.

Seeking advice promptly allows an attorney to assess deadlines and take steps to protect evidence while you focus on your recovery.

Contact Tonelli & Tonelli for a Free Truck Accident Consultation

If you or a loved one was injured in a semi-truck, tractor-trailer, or other commercial vehicle accident, contact Tonelli & Tonelli.

Speaking with us is free, and there is no obligation to hire our firm. We will listen, review the circumstances, and explain whether a claim may be available.

You do not need every record or every answer before reaching out.

Call 407.883.HURT (407.883.4878) or contact us online.

Serving Winter Park, Orlando, Central Florida, and clients throughout Florida.