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Florida Commercial Truck Accident Claims

A commercial truck crash in Florida is still a Florida negligence claim — same two-year deadline and modified comparative negligence — but federal FMCSA safety regulations (hours of service, maintenance, driver qualification) layer on top, and there are often multiple defendants: the driver, the motor carrier, and sometimes others.

By Find Local Law Editorial Team · Last reviewed: May 25, 2026

Researched and drafted with AI assistance and verified against primary sources (statutes, Judicial Council forms, and official court websites). This is general information, not legal advice.

This is general information, not legal advice. Talk to a Florida attorney promptly — deadlines apply and trucking evidence can be lost fast.

A commercial truck crash in Florida is, at its core, a Florida negligence claim — so the two-year deadline (Fla. Stat. § 95.11) and modified comparative negligence (Fla. Stat. § 768.81) apply, just as with a car accident. What makes these cases distinct is the federal layer and the defendants.

Federal safety rules

Interstate trucking is governed by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR), issued by the FMCSA (U.S. DOT). They cover hours of service (limits on driving time to prevent fatigue), electronic logging devices (ELDs), driver qualification, drug-and-alcohol testing, and vehicle maintenance. A violation can be strong evidence of negligence — though the case is still decided under Florida law. (These are federal rules, not Florida statutes.)

Multiple potential defendants

Unlike a typical car crash, a truck case often involves several parties:

  • The driver;
  • The trucking company / motor carrier (vicariously liable for its driver, and potentially for negligent hiring, training, or maintenance);
  • And sometimes a broker, shipper, or maintenance contractor.

Because logs and records can disappear quickly, it’s important to act fast. To get matched with a local Florida truck accident attorney, connect with a lawyer.

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Frequently asked questions

Why are truck accident cases different from car cases?
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations apply alongside Florida law, and a violation can help show the driver or carrier fell below the required standard of care. There are also often several responsible parties beyond the driver.
Who can I sue after a Florida truck crash?
Potentially the driver and the trucking company (often vicariously liable, and for negligent hiring or maintenance), and sometimes a broker or maintenance contractor. Identifying the defendants takes investigation.
What's the filing deadline?
Generally two years for negligence claims accruing on or after March 24, 2023 (Fla. Stat. § 95.11). Truck evidence like ELD logs can disappear, so act quickly.

Sources

Related guides

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