1. Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, PA
Practice Focus: Truck accidents, semi-truck collisions, 18-wheeler accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, tractor-trailer crashes, delivery truck accidents, catastrophic injuries from trucking collisions, wrongful death from truck accidents, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries.
Case Types Handled: Jackknife accidents, rollover accidents, underride accidents, rear-end collisions with trucks, head-on truck collisions, brake failure accidents, tire blowout accidents, driver fatigue accidents, overloaded truck accidents, distracted driving accidents, cargo spill accidents.
Legal Services: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) compliance investigation, trucking company negligence claims, driver negligence claims, hours of service violation investigation, electronic logging device (ELD) data analysis, black box data retrieval, insurance claim negotiation, litigation and trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical expense recovery, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death claims.
Background: Matthew Dolman is the founder and managing partner. Florida Bar Number 729221, admitted 2004. Stetson University College of Law, J.D. 2003; St. Thomas University School of Law, LL.M. in Taxation. Lifetime member of Million Dollar Advocates Forum and Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum. Florida Super Lawyer multiple years. Florida Legal Elite designation. 10.0 Avvo rating. Stanley Gipe is Board Certified Civil Trial Lawyer by the Florida Bar. Firm has recovered over $250 million in compensation for clients. Notable truck accident results include $1.75 million verdict for traumatic brain injury from semi-truck collision and $3.2 million settlement for traumatic brain injury from semi-truck accident.
Location: 800 N Belcher Rd, Clearwater, FL 33765 (serves St. Petersburg)
Contact: (727) 472-3909 | https://www.dolmanlaw.com
Consultation: Free consultation, contingency fee basis, available 24/7.
2. Salter, Healy, Rivera & Heptner
Practice Focus: Truck accidents, 18-wheeler accidents, semi-truck collisions, commercial vehicle accidents, catastrophic injuries, spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, wrongful death, personal injury litigation.
Case Types Handled: Driver fatigue accidents, distracted driving accidents, impaired driver accidents, defective truck accidents, improper loading accidents, overworked driver accidents, jackknife accidents, rollover accidents, rear-end collisions with commercial vehicles.
Legal Services: FMCSA compliance investigation, trucking regulations analysis, hours of service violation investigation, logbook review, maintenance record investigation, trucking company negligence claims, driver negligence claims, manufacturer defect claims, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical lien resolution, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims.
Background: Brad Salter is a founding partner. Florida Bar Number 90123, admitted September 30, 1996. University of Texas School of Law, J.D. 1996. Board Certified Civil Trial Lawyer by the Florida Bar (youngest board-certified civil trial lawyer in Florida at time of certification). AV-rated by Martindale-Hubbell. Member of Million Dollar Advocates Forum. U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida admission 1998. Former insurance defense attorney who switched to plaintiff representation. Firm has over 60 years combined experience and has recovered millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts.
Location: 2601 1st Avenue S, St. Petersburg, FL 33712
Contact: (727) 321-4357 | [email protected] | https://www.salterhealy.com
Consultation: Free consultation, contingency fee basis, home and hospital visits available.
3. Paul Knopf Bigger
Practice Focus: Truck accidents, trucking accidents, semi-truck collisions, 18-wheeler accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, tractor-trailer accidents, wrongful death, catastrophic injuries, traumatic brain injuries, medical malpractice.
Case Types Handled: Jackknife accidents, rollover accidents, brake failure accidents, tire blowout accidents, driver fatigue accidents, cargo spill accidents, overloaded truck accidents, wide turn accidents, rear-end collisions with trucks.
Legal Services: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR) compliance investigation, trucking company negligence claims, driver negligence claims, hours of service violation investigation, black box data retrieval, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical expense recovery, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death claims.
Background: David Paul is a founding partner. Florida Bar admitted 1994. Stetson University College of Law, J.D. 1994 with Honors. Board Certified Civil Trial Law by Florida Bar, National Board of Trial Advocacy, and American Board of Professional Liability Attorneys (Medical Malpractice). Member of American College of Trial Lawyers (invitation only). Member of American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA). Past President of Central Florida Trial Lawyers Association. Over 50 cases resulting in verdicts or settlements exceeding $1 million, including multiple 8-figure recoveries. AV Preeminent rated by Martindale-Hubbell. Florida Super Lawyers 2010-2025. Florida Trend Legal Elite. Best Lawyers in America selection.
Location: 840 South Denning Drive, Suite 200, Winter Park, FL 32789 (serves St. Petersburg)
Contact: (407) 622-2111 | https://www.pkblawfirm.com
Consultation: Free case evaluation, contingency fee basis, 24/7 availability.
4. Marsalisi Law
Practice Focus: Truck accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, 18-wheeler accidents, semi-truck collisions, motorcycle accidents, automobile accidents, pedestrian accidents, wrongful death, catastrophic injuries.
Case Types Handled: Driver fatigue accidents, distracted driving accidents, rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, intersection accidents, lane change accidents, blind spot accidents, brake failure accidents.
Legal Services: Trucking company negligence claims, driver negligence claims, accident scene investigation, evidence preservation, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical expense recovery, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, property damage claims.
Background: Frank P. Marsalisi is the founder and owner. Florida Bar admitted 2008. University of Pittsburgh School of Law, J.D.; University of Florida, B.A. in Criminology. Bilingual attorney (English and Spanish). 10.0 Avvo rating. Top 3 Personal Injury Lawyers in St. Petersburg (2019). Member of Tampa Bay Trial Lawyers Association. Member of American Bar Association. Member of St. Petersburg Bar Association. Member of National Association of Distinguished Counsel. American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys 10 Best Under 40 selection. Top 40 Under 40 by National Trial Lawyers. AV Preeminent rated by Martindale-Hubbell. Firm has recovered millions of dollars for clients.
Location: 7035 Central Avenue, Suite A, St. Petersburg, FL 33710
Contact: (727) 800-5052 | https://www.marsalisilaw.com
Consultation: Free consultation, contingency fee basis, home visits available, virtual consultations offered.
5. Graves Thomas Rotunda Injury Law Group
Practice Focus: Truck accidents, semi-truck collisions, 18-wheeler accidents, tractor-trailer accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, Amazon delivery truck accidents, catastrophic injuries, wrongful death, traumatic brain injuries.
Case Types Handled: Jackknife accidents, rollover accidents, underride accidents, rear-end collisions with trucks, head-on truck collisions, driver fatigue accidents, brake failure accidents, overloaded truck accidents, cargo spill accidents, delivery truck accidents.
Legal Services: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) compliance investigation, trucking company negligence claims, driver negligence claims, black box data retrieval, electronic logging device data analysis, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical expense recovery, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death claims.
Background: Joseph Graves is a founding partner. AV-rated by Martindale-Hubbell. Member of Million Dollar Advocates Forum. Firm has over 50 years of combined experience. Firm has recovered over $250 million in settlements and verdicts for clients. Established in 2005. Handles cases throughout Florida with offices in St. Petersburg, Vero Beach, and Port St. Lucie.
Location: 200 Central Ave, Suite 304, St. Petersburg, FL 33701
Contact: (772) 569-8155 | https://www.gravesthomas.com
Consultation: Free consultation, contingency fee basis, available 24/7.
Truck Accident Laws and Regulations in Florida
Statute of Limitations: Florida has a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims arising from truck accidents, effective for accidents occurring after March 24, 2023. Prior to that date, the statute of limitations was four years. Wrongful death claims also have a two-year statute of limitations from the date of death.
No-Fault Insurance State: Florida is a no-fault insurance state. Drivers are required to carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance. After a truck accident, victims must first file a claim with their own PIP insurance regardless of fault. PIP coverage pays for medical expenses and lost wages up to the policy limit.
Serious Injury Threshold: To pursue a lawsuit against the at-fault party in Florida, the injury must meet the serious injury threshold. Qualifying injuries include: significant and permanent loss of an important bodily function, permanent injury within a reasonable degree of medical probability, significant and permanent scarring or disfigurement, or death.
Comparative Negligence: Florida follows a modified comparative negligence system (effective March 24, 2023). A plaintiff who is more than 50% at fault for the accident is barred from recovering any compensation. If the plaintiff is 50% or less at fault, their recovery is reduced by their percentage of fault.
Minimum Auto Insurance Requirements: Florida requires all drivers to carry $10,000 in Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and $10,000 in Property Damage Liability (PDL). Bodily Injury Liability is not mandatory but is recommended.
Commercial Truck Insurance Requirements: Commercial trucks operating in Florida must comply with federal insurance requirements. General freight carriers must carry a minimum of $750,000 in liability coverage. Trucks carrying hazardous materials must carry $1 million to $5 million depending on the type of hazardous material transported.
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations: Federal trucking regulations apply in Florida state courts. Hours of service rules limit driving time to 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off duty for property-carrying drivers. Drivers cannot drive beyond the 14th consecutive hour after coming on duty. Florida drivers must also adhere to the 70/80 hour rule over 7/8 consecutive days.
Electronic Logging Device Requirements: Commercial motor vehicles subject to hours of service regulations must use electronic logging devices (ELDs) to record driving time. ELD data is admissible as evidence in Florida courts.
Commercial Driver’s License Requirements: Truck drivers operating commercial vehicles in Florida must possess a valid Commercial Driver’s License (CDL). Specific endorsements are required for hauling hazardous materials or operating certain types of trucks.
Vicarious Liability: Florida recognizes vicarious liability for trucking companies under the doctrine of respondeat superior when truck drivers cause accidents while acting within the scope of their employment.
Punitive Damages: Punitive damages may be available in Florida truck accident cases where the defendant’s conduct is found to be intentional misconduct or gross negligence. Florida caps punitive damages at the greater of three times compensatory damages or $500,000, with exceptions for certain egregious conduct.
Bad Faith Insurance Claims: Florida law allows first-party and third-party bad faith claims against insurance companies that fail to handle claims in good faith.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the statute of limitations for filing a truck accident lawsuit in St. Petersburg, Florida?
For truck accidents occurring after March 24, 2023, you have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit in Florida courts. For wrongful death claims, the two-year period begins from the date of death. Prior to March 24, 2023, the statute of limitations was four years. Missing this deadline typically results in losing your right to pursue compensation through the courts. Given the complexity of truck accident cases involving multiple parties and extensive evidence gathering, consulting with an attorney promptly after an accident is advisable to ensure all deadlines are met.
How does Florida’s comparative negligence law affect my truck accident case?
Florida’s modified comparative negligence rule, effective March 24, 2023, significantly impacts truck accident cases. If you are found to be more than 50% at fault for the accident, you are completely barred from recovering any compensation. If your fault is 50% or less, your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are awarded $200,000 but are found 20% at fault, your recovery would be reduced to $160,000. Insurance companies and defense attorneys often attempt to shift blame onto accident victims to reduce or eliminate their liability.
What parties can be held liable in a St. Petersburg truck accident case?
Multiple parties may be liable in Florida truck accident cases. The truck driver can be held liable for negligent operation, distracted driving, fatigue, or intoxication. The trucking company may be liable under respondeat superior if the driver was an employee acting within the scope of employment, or directly liable for negligent hiring, training, supervision, or maintenance. Third-party maintenance companies may be liable for improper repairs. Parts manufacturers may be liable for defective components. Cargo loading companies may be liable for improper securing of loads. Florida courts allow plaintiffs to pursue claims against all potentially liable parties.
What types of compensation can I recover in a Florida truck accident case?
Florida allows truck accident victims to recover both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages include medical expenses (past and future), lost wages, loss of earning capacity, rehabilitation costs, home modification expenses, and property damage. Non-economic damages include pain and suffering, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, disfigurement, and loss of consortium. In cases involving intentional misconduct or gross negligence, punitive damages may be available to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar conduct. Florida generally caps punitive damages at three times compensatory damages or $500,000, whichever is greater.
How do federal trucking regulations apply in St. Petersburg truck accident cases?
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR) establish safety standards that apply to commercial trucks operating in Florida. These regulations govern hours of service limits, drug and alcohol testing, vehicle maintenance requirements, cargo securement, and driver qualification standards. Violations of federal regulations are admissible as evidence in Florida state courts and can establish negligence per se in some circumstances. Key evidence in truck accident cases includes electronic logging device (ELD) data, driver qualification files, vehicle inspection reports, maintenance records, and the truck’s black box data. An experienced truck accident attorney can issue preservation letters to prevent destruction of this evidence and subpoena records during litigation.