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Florida Truck Accident Attorneys

Were you injured in an accident involving a commercial truck? Was the truck driver or trucking company responsible for the crash? If so, you might be entitled to compensation. The Florida personal injury lawyers of Schuler, Halvorson, Weisser, Zoeller, Overbeck & Baxter P.A. could provide the legal representation you need to hold the at-fault party liable and seek the money you’re owed for the losses you suffered.

Collisions with commercial trucks are much different than collisions between two passenger vehicles. Trucks are large, heavy, and contain cargo that can quickly become dangerous debris during a crash. The force exerted on someone’s body during an accident with a large truck is typically violent and leads to severe injuries. Many victims require emergency medical care and ongoing treatment to heal.

The expenses associated with truck accidents are often significant. Hospitalization, surgery, rehabilitation, and other types of bills can become an economic burden and push a person into debt. If you can’t afford these costs, it’s a stressful experience, and you may wonder if you will ever recover from your injuries, both financial and physical. If the truck driver or another party were entirely at fault for the crash, they should be financially responsible for all the expenses you incurred.

Learn more about how Schuler, Halvorson, Weisser, Zoeller, Overbeck & Baxter P.A. can help you after a truck accident by calling 561.689.8180 for a free consultation with one of our Florida truck accident attorneys.

Common Types of Truck Accidents

At Schuler, Halvorson, Weisser, Zoeller, Overbeck & Baxter P.A., we have decades of experience taking on various accident cases involving commercial trucks. The most common types include:

Rollover accidents – Vehicles with a high center of gravity, such as commercial trucks, can roll over in various scenarios. Improper braking, uneven cargo load, sharp turns, and other hazardous factors can cause the truck to roll over.
Jackknife accidents – A truck jackknifes when the tractor and trailer swing towards each other to form an angle. This often results from the driver losing control of the vehicle due to steering overcorrection, swerving to avoid a pothole, and other sudden maneuvers.
Rear-end collisions – The smaller vehicle occupants typically suffer more harm than the trucker when a commercial truck collides with the back of a car. It jolts the driver and passengers forward then backward quickly, causing serious injuries.
T-bone accidents – The front end of the truck strikes the side of another vehicle during a T-bone accident. This type of collision commonly happens when the truck driver runs a red light or stop sign and crashes into a car already in the middle of the intersection.
Underride accidents – An underride accident involves a car crashing into the back or side of a truck and sliding under the trailer. This type of accident places the smaller vehicle occupants at significant risk of debilitating injuries and death.
Head-on collisions – Two passenger cars crashing into each other head-on is violent. When one of those vehicles is a commercial truck, it can be fatal. In 2019, 618 passenger vehicle occupants were killed in head-on accidents with large trucks. It was the most deadly type of truck accident that year in the United States.
Wide-turn accidents – When approaching a turn, the truck driver must prepare by checking all four of their blind spots, swinging the truck out wide, and completing the turn without crashing into other vehicles, jumping the curb, or ending up in oncoming traffic.

Any of these truck accident types can lead to injuries, property damage, and fatalities. If you were involved in a collision with a commercial truck, it’s imperative to contact Schuler, Halvorson, Weisser, Zoeller, Overbeck & Baxter P.A. immediately. You will need an experienced legal team to help you hold the negligent party liable.

Common Causes of Truck Accidents

One or multiple parties could be at fault for a truck accident. It isn’t just the driver that must keep the people around them safe. Trucking companies are responsible for hiring qualified drivers, providing adequate training, and maintaining all the vehicles in their fleet. Other individuals and companies also play a part in preventing dangerous situations that can lead to accidents.

The most common causes of truck accidents include:

Drunk driving – Everyone knows the effects of alcohol on a person’s driving abilities. Operating an 80,000-pound vehicle is more challenging when the truck driver can’t make good decisions or react quickly to hazards and emergencies.
Speeding – Accidents involving large trucks at any speed are dangerous. However, if the truck driver exceeds the speed limit, the results can be catastrophic. The impact of both vehicles colliding shakes the occupants of the small car violently forward and backward or side to side, causing whiplash, bone fractures, and other debilitating injuries.
Driver fatigue – Federal regulations prohibit truck drivers from spending more than the maximum allowed hours on the road during a single shift. Driving beyond the limit can cause fatigue and prevent the trucker from operating the vehicle at full-functioning capacity.
Failure to check blind spots – Commercial trucks have massive blind spots on all four sides. Changing lanes, turning, and merging requires the driver to check every blind spot thoroughly before making a move.
Tailgating – A truck that follows a small car too closely places the occupants in danger and increases the risk of a collision. The truck driver can’t stop in time to avoid a crash if the vehicle ahead suddenly slows down or stops.
Poorly maintained truck – The trucker is supposed to perform a thorough inspection of their vehicle at the end of every driving shift. The trucking company should also perform routine maintenance and promptly repair damage and defects. If the vehicle doesn’t function correctly, the driver could lose control and crash.
Improper or sudden braking – Truck drivers must prepare far in advance if they need to bring their vehicle to a complete stop. Slamming on the brakes can cause them to lose control and veer off the road into another vehicle or the cargo to shift and throw the truck off-balance.
Distracted driving – Behaviors that take a person’s focus and attention off the task of driving are risky. Texting is a common type of distraction that prevents a trucker from noticing what’s happening in front of them.
Failure to yield – Every motorist should yield to others in specific situations, such as at an intersection. If a truck driver blows through a stop sign, they can barrel into a small car already passing through.

Since multiple parties could be involved in the operation and function of a commercial truck, determining who is at fault can be difficult. Schuler, Halvorson, Weisser, Zoeller, Overbeck & Baxter P.A. is familiar with accident investigations like these. We can review all contributing factors, obtain the available evidence, and prove who caused the accident.

Injuries Often Associated with Truck Accidents

An empty tractor-trailer weighs around 35,000 pounds. However, a truck with a full cargo load can weigh as much as 80,000 pounds. During a collision, the smaller vehicle occupants end up with more severe injuries than the truck driver. Death is common in accidents involving high speeds.

The most common injuries caused by truck accidents include:

Concussion, traumatic brain injury, and other head injuries
Loss of limb
Paralysis
Psychological damage
Spinal cord and back injuries
Broken bones
Permanent disfigurement or scarring
Cuts, burns, and bruises
Internal bleeding and organ damage
Neck injuries

Unfortunately, some accident victims become disabled. They can’t recover from their extensive injuries and end up in a wheelchair or require ongoing treatment to manage pain and other lingering issues. An accident and its resulting disabilities are disruptive to a person’s life and create various obstacles.

Possible Compensation You Can Recover in Florida

The no-fault system in Florida requires injured accident victims to turn to their car insurance company for compensation before going after the at-fault driver. Personal injury protection (PIP) is a requirement for all motorists. The minimum limit you must carry is $10,000, and it covers medical treatment and other financial losses regardless of who caused the crash.

However, $10,000 usually isn’t enough to compensate for someone’s total losses, especially if the accident involves a commercial truck. You could file a claim with the truck driver’s insurance carrier, but your injury must meet the serious injury threshold. That means you must suffer one of the following:

Permanent and significant loss of a vital bodily function;
Permanent and significant disfigurement or scarring;
Permanent injury other than disfigurement or scarring; or
Death.

Federal regulations require trucking companies to purchase liability coverage for their truck drivers based on the weight of the truck being operated and the type of cargo it contains. When you file a liability claim, you could seek compensation for a range of losses, such as:

Property damage
Medical expenses
Pain and suffering
Lost wages
Lost earning capacity
Physical impairment or disfigurement
Vehicle rental costs
Emotional distress
Loss of enjoyment of life

You could also file a lawsuit as long as your injury fits the requirements of the serious injury threshold. You must follow a strict deadline if you want to sue the truck driver, trucking company, or another at-fault party for your losses. Florida has a four-year statute of limitations, meaning you have four years from the date of the crash to file your lawsuit.

Contact Us

At Schuler, Halvorson, Weisser, Zoeller, Overbeck & Baxter P.A., we have over 40 years of experience fighting for our clients. We will advocate for your rights and aggressively pursue the maximum compensation you deserve. You should not walk away from this experience without the money you’re owed for your injuries.

If you were injured in a truck accident due to someone else’s negligence, call us at 561.689.8180 now for your free consultation with one of our dedicated Florida truck accident attorneys.

Written by Schuler, Halvorson, Weisser, Zoeller, Overbeck & Baxter P.A.

Last Updated : February 23, 2022

Locations

West Palm Beach, FL (Primary Location)

Schuler, Halvorson, Weisser, Zoeller, Overbeck & Baxter P.A.

1615 Forum Pl #4

West Palm Beach, FL 33401

Toll Free: 800.689.8180

Phone: 561.689.8180

Fax: 561.684.9683

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Testimonials

John B (my investigator) was AWESOME! Thank you.

D. Domond, Personal Injury Client

Was kept informed and was promptly notified of any updates regarding this case. Mr. Van Wieringen, my main point of contact, would explain in laymans terms all details.

Anonymous, Personal Injury Client

My case was off to a pretty rough start , once I had gotten in contact with John B. , he helped solve my car accident case amazingly ! He was responsive , professional & personal . I will definitely be going back if anything happens in the future ! Would highly recommend !

K. L.

I am thankful for your assistance and your professionalism. Continue to provide good services to the community.

K. Martinez, Personal Injury Client

Even though Mr Halvorson has retired I would still recommend this law firm to anyone who needed an accident injury attorney

D. B.

You dealt with my step father & he was very pleased with all your help.

R. Hart, Personal Injury Client

I have to start out by saying that the paralegal Heidi R.was AMAZING! She was on top of everything and always was there to answer my questions and concerns. Brad Pace was the investigator on my case and he was very professional and knowledgeable regarding every aspect of my injury case! He always addressed my concerns and even if I didn’t want to hear it he ALWAYS explained to me what was best for myself and my injuries ! Thank you so much for all you do you all are an amazing team that actually feels more like a family!!!

R. O.

Thank you for taking my case. I am pleased with the outcome. This is a perfect opportunity for me to recommend your company to my family and friends. It is so important to be courteous and return phone calls. Thank you

W.W, Personal Injury Client

Thank you for the great professional courteous treatment during a difficult time. Jason your firm is responsive and on target. I want to thank Jason (Mr. Weisser) for listening on personal issues I was facing during my situation. I recommend them 100% on legal matters. They stuck through it over 1.8 years during this difficult time.

L. S.

Tammy Manning is a very valuable asset to your firm. She was amazing!

L. Tatum, Personal Injury Client

Best Lawyers in town I was referred to them by a friend.

N. J.

I am deeply appreciative of the level of care and expertise that was provided through Mr. Overbeck.

T. Jones, Personal Injury Client

John was amazing ! He kept me updated with everything , he helped me when I wasn’t sure of a decision and was always available to talk to answer any questions I had ! Thank you so much , Again , you guys are worth all 5 stars !

C. R.

I would like to thank everyone at this firm for helping me with this incident. I look forward to using you guys again in the future. 🙂

L. Hansen, Personal Injury Client

Bill and Jon were great to me! They handle everything for you with your best interest at heart! Truely the good guys you want in your corner. Forever grateful for them.

B. F.

It was nice to have you guys working on my case. I already recommend a friend of mine to your office. Very nice people.

Anonymous, Personal Injury Client

I was in a motorcycle accident: the bike was totaled and my back injured. Jon and the team helped me get a pretty quick settlement to help me get pay my medical Bill’s and get a new motorcycle. The best firm!

M. B.

Attorney Gregory Cummings and his law firm are consummate professionals. Atty Cummings and his TEAM had our best interest and even followed up periodically keeping us informed until closure. The staff has great interpersonal skills which are reflective in via email, phone conversation and especially in person. Great firm. Thank you all.

Vinoo Ramdat

HANK IS A REAL MENSCH. IT WAS A PLEASURE TO WORK WITH HIM.

S. Weinstein, Personal Injury Client

My experience with Amanda Coates and Mr. Hayden was amazing when i had questions there were able to answer. They was very professional they even got me back more then i was expecting. Keep up the good work and God bless you both.

L. W.

I worked very closely on my case with attorney Greg Cummings, investigator Jon Blumengarten and paralegal Johanna over the past 2.5 years. Outstanding and professional law firm, with excellent communications and follow-up, making sure I was kept up to date on everything regarding my case. They worked so diligently and effectively on my case that I didn’t even realize had much time had gone by from when they took the case to when everything was finalized. They took my case about a week after my car accident and Jon took the time to come to my house and meet with me and learn more about my accident and I knew right then and there that I was in excellent hands, because he actually cared about me, not just as a client but as a person. The entire team was an absolute pleasure to work with, I would recommend this law firm to anyone looking for someone to represent them in any personal injury matters. Thank you for everything!!

Catalina Reinhardt

Overall it was a very satisfied and good experience to interact with your firm and associates. Good luck to you always!

W. Rana, Personal Injury Client

Outstanding expertise, service, communication. Brad Pace was excellent to work with – a true professional. For those reading these reviews in order to make a decision, you really don’t need to search any further.

A. W.

This team is PHENOMENAL with everything, I can’t thank them enough seriously. I’m still young and I’ve been in multiple car accidents and have just settled before. With me having two kids John and Mr.Zoeller worked exceptionally for my case. They were very very patient because it was not easy for me at all losing everything behind my car accident so sudden and they understood and walked with me the entire way. I would highly recommend them to anyone I wouldn’t want to go anywhere else if god forbid something was to happen again. I could go on and on but honestly they were amazing, wasn’t slow on their feet at all, kept me updated with communication through the entire time and the staff was great as well as a team in general. They definitely gave me another chance to make sure I got back everything I’ve lost for my kids and I and for that I will forever be grateful for even having a chance to work with them and them working with me most of all. I really want to thank them again seriously for helping me when it was super rough for me being a single mom you guys are greatly appreciated from the bottom of my heart and keep up the good work 10 stars from me!!!!

Deja T

Attorney Jason Weisser was very informative from the beginning of the case. His team including Mr. Hank was always available to answer any questions we had. Highly recommend them to anyone involved in auto injury or personal injury.

Mohammed I, Personal Injury Client

Eric Hayden and Amanda Coates were the best legal team! All of my questions were answered throughout the entire process, and I received a fantastic result on my case. Thank you to the entire firm!

S. J.

I worked with Erick! He was an amazing guy who managed to get the full 60,000$ dollar settlement. Was able to lower my medical expenses to put more money in my pocket what an absolute godsend I will be recommending friends and family.

Rosie M

While I was being represented by Attorney Jason Weisser, I felt as if I was being represented by family. They were always friendly, kept me well informed & answered any questions I had. Also, Michele (paralegal) Was always supportive & encouraging as I went through medical treatment, legal issues, and the stress from the insurance companies. They are #1 in my book!

Amber C, Personal Injury Client

I love this law firm!!! Hank is the best he very professional respond to all my questions

N. S.

I am very happy with the way you handled my case.

Libya. R, Florida Personal Injury Client

Just call Mr.Overbeck! Freaking awesome!

C. E.

Very Good relationship, excellent results-Very Happy-I have since referred a possible client to you. P.S. Hank was great to me!!!

Sheldon H, Florida Personal Injury Client

This law firm cares and it shows! They’re attentive and thorough. Every time I got a call from them was always more good news. Highly highly recommend!

J. N.

Hank and company were excellent to work with. They went to bat for me and settled my case in under a year. Recommended me to some of the best doctors to get my injuries sustained in my accident taken care of to the best of their ability. Also negotiated their medical bills down substantially from full price to make my net settlement fair to me in the end. Would highly recommend these guys to anyone.

DRTORQUENSTEIN

Your Professionalism is Top Notch! Also, we were treated like family. I would recommend your firm to anyone. Thank you so much

Barbara F, Florida Personal Injury Client

John was great and very easy to communicate with highly recommend!

H. L.

Their service was excellent! I never had an issue concerning the firm. Thank you for everything!

Renoal M, Personal Injury Client

I’m not one to write reviews but I wish I could rate this firm higher than five stars. During possibly the worst time in my families life this team stepped in to advocate on our behalf. Jason and Eileen are apart of our family forever and we have so much gratitude for them. If you want lawyer who will fight beside you then you found the right team. Very quick and efficient and will always keep you in the loop. I had millions of questions and they found answers to every one. Eileen is possibly the sweetest and kindest personal ever simply put she’s a badass.

N. J.

I found Mr. Schuler and Mr. Pace to be both professional as well as very personable. Never having found myself in this type of situation, I was quite nervous;however, within a very short time I knew I was in good hands. Throughout the process Mr. Pace kept me apprised of developments and answered all of my questions. He took care of everything and I was extremely pleased with the results. I would most definitely recommend the firm of Schuler, Halvorson, Weisser, Zoeller and Overbeck to anyone embroiled in a legal matter.

Laurene V, Personal Injury Client

I cannot thank this law firm enough for everything they did for my case after my car accident. My Attorney, Mr. Zoeller, my Legal Assistant, Jennifer, and the Investigator, Hank, went above and beyond for me. You never anticipate a bad car accident to happen to you, but they all collectively took the time to make this experience very easy and less stressful. I would highly recommended this amazing law firm to anyone. Thank you so much for everything from the bottom of my heart!

C. B.

Brad was great! Always responded to my phone calls and emails in a timely manner. He was professional, patient, and thorough. Thanks Brad!

Ashley G, Personal Injury Client

Professionalism, reliability and quality service.

J. W.

Very satisfied with the outcome of the case.

Jack S, Personal Injury Client

Mr. Blumengarten was quite informative, easy to reach and was quite professional in his approach and response. He helped me to understand the process and was quite helpful in dealing with my personal plight. I would certainly recommend this firm to anyone. Thanks for the continued assistance.

E. T.

I thank you!

Barbara N, Personal Injury Client

Dr. T

I was satisfied with everyone that worked on my case. Thank you for everything.

April S, Personal Injury Client

I have been a loyal customer and I will recommend all my family and friends to Jason D. Weisser, Schuler, and Halvorson for the wonderful job!!

Marline J, Personal Injury Client

Excellent staff, professional, effective

Anthony P, Personal Injury Client

Excellent team work! Your commitment to your clients is reflected in the quality and dedication of work.

Lucia B, Personal Injury Client

Very pleased by the prompt attention given this matter. The concern shown for our family at a very sad time was appreciated. Your professionalism was first class!

Daniel D, Personal Injury Client

I would highly recommend the firm. Our experience was very good! We never imagined an outcome that matched our request. This firm worked hard to make things come together. Thank you so much!

Cynthia W, Personal Injury Client

Hank was very helpful with any questions we had.

Anonymous, Personal Injury Client

I was very satisfied with Jason Weisser. I will always recommend.

Cory N, Personal Injury Client

Thanks for all that you did. I appreciate you and would recommend you to my family and friends & family. You’re the best Hank.

Milton H, Personal Injury Client

I appreciate everything you all did on my behalf. Me and my family would like to thank you and the staff of your firm for such a unique job.

Vana T, Personal Injury Client

Tiffany S, Personal Injury Client

Hank VW was awesome!

Hank was a rep of your office! Handled everything very well.

Robert C, Personal Injury Client

Brad was awesome. Explained everything very clearly and always told me the next step.

Jeanette E, Personal Injury Client

I was extremely satisfied with how the law firm dealt with my case and I would highly recommend this firm.

Jenny H, Personal Injury Client

Mr. Pace was very informative and very honest with me at all times. Thank you very much for all your work.

Cathy G, Personal Injury Client

Brad was wonderful! He was always pleasant, helpful and very professional! I was very happy with the firm and my outcome & would use the firm again!

Janet W, Personal Injury Client

From beginning to end, my association with this firm, in particular Brad Pace, was outstanding! I was kept informed at every step, phone calls returned beyond promptly and I always felt my best interests were paramount to them. Even had the outcome not been favorable, my impression would be the same – Their desire to achieve the best possible results for me always the goal. A very courteous, professional and approachable environment made me feel comfortable immediately. You are in good hands with this firm.

Pamela W, Personal Injury Client

Once again I experienced outstanding efficiency. It’s always great to work with Hank and I’m sure he’s the best in the business at what he does! I’d like to thank all involved with my case. I deeply appreciate your efforts! Thank You!!!

Brett W, Personal Injury Client

Very Pleased with the services we received.

Jazmin B, Personal Injury Client

You guys are wonderful and always very professional and caring. Brad is excellent and does a very good job.

Marsha N, Personal Injury Client

I want you to know of the high regard I have for your investigator, Bradford Pace. The accident was one of the worst experiences of my life and if it had not been for his kindness, expertise and readiness to answer my questions and concerns, it would have been much worse. You should be very proud of having such fine gentleman in your law firm.

Ruth L, Personal Injury Client

Hank did a great job helping us through the insurance maze after our auto accident. We really appreciate his courtesy and professionalism. Your receptionist is so skilled it’s amazing. Her people skills are so good they should be bottled in gold.

Clinton J, Personal Injury Client

I am impressed with the personal attention and the expediency that my case received. I would gladly recommend this outstanding law firm with complete confidence!

Elaine H, Personal Injury Client

Very professional as well as compassionate in handling the entire case. Thanks so much.

Gail G, Personal Injury Client

Use them! They were supportive in my claim and mad me feel assured everything was going to be handled to the very end. The team was always in step with every level of the claim, and each attorney that represented me was well versed on their field of law. In the end I was very satisfied with their confidence and follow through. I would highly recommend this law firm and its vast team of experience and knowledge to represent you in any area of the law they practice.

Personal Injury Client