Representing Victims of Commercial Truck Crashes Across Florida and in Over 26 States Nationwide

At Clark, Fountain, La Vista, Littky-Rubin & Whitman, we have successfully represented clients in some of the most serious truck accident cases throughout Florida and across the country. With more than 200 years of combined experience, our Palm Beach Gardens truck accident attorneys understand the complex legal and regulatory issues that define commercial vehicle collisions. From fatal 18-wheeler crashes to catastrophic delivery truck injuries, we are equipped to take on trucking corporations, manufacturers, and the nation’s largest insurance companies.

Catastrophic Injury & Wrongful Death Cases Involving Commercial Trucks

Truck accidents often result in catastrophic injuries or the wrongful death of a loved one. We represent clients suffering from:

• Traumatic brain injuries
• Spinal cord trauma and paralysis
• Severe burns and amputations
• Complex orthopedic injuries
• Loss of life due to trucking negligence

Whether you suffered life-altering injuries or lost a loved one, Clark Fountain is here to fight for the justice and maximum compensation you deserve.

Types of Commercial Vehicles Involved

Our attorneys handle a broad range of commercial vehicle crash cases, including:

• Tractor-trailers / semi-trucks / 18-wheelers
• Box trucks, flatbeds, and dump trucks
• Delivery trucks (FedEx, UPS, Amazon, etc.)
• Passenger buses and motorcoaches
• Utility and construction fleet vehicles

Each vehicle type comes with its own set of compliance standards, maintenance protocols, and liability exposures.

Significant Case Results

What a Truck Accident Lawyer Can Do for You

Commercial truck cases require a far deeper level of legal and regulatory understanding than standard car accidents. Our attorneys take a four-pronged approach to advocacy:

1. Highlight Violations of Safety Regulations

We analyze hours-of-service logs, maintenance records, driver qualifications, and FMCSA compliance to identify violations that directly contributed to the crash.

2. Expose Systemic Industry Failures

Our team investigates chronic safety failures—overworked drivers, under-maintained fleets, and poor supervision—that show broader negligence beyond a single incident.

3. Reveal Corporate Misconduct

We hold trucking companies accountable for profit-driven shortcuts like overloading, falsifying logs, and incentivizing fatigued driving.

4. Advocate for Full Financial Recovery

We use expert witnesses, reconstructionist, and economists to persuasively demonstrate the full scope of your losses to a jury.

Governing Regulations in Trucking Litigation

We leverage complex state and federal trucking regulations to support liability and causation, including:

• FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration): Covers licensing, hours-of-service limits, inspections, cargo securement, and drug testing.
• FDOT (Florida Department of Transportation): Governs intrastate trucking, road safety, and vehicle maintenance requirements.

These rules are often the foundation for establishing negligence in court.

Common Causes of Truck Accidents – And How We Prove Fault

There are approximately 500,000 truck accidents annually, many of which result in catastrophic injuries or fatalities. Identifying how and why these crashes occur is essential to determining who is legally responsible.

At Clark Fountain, we focus on uncovering both the immediate cause of the accident and the systemic failures behind it. Our investigations go beyond surface-level facts—we build legal arguments grounded in regulatory violations, internal policies, driver history, and data-intensive analysis.

Common causes include:

• Drowsy or distracted driving
  We audit hours-of-service logs, telematics data, and cellphone records to show the driver was fatigued or inattentive in violation of FMCSA rules.
• Defective or worn-out vehicle parts
  Brake failures, tire blowouts, and steering malfunctions often result from a company’s failure to inspect or maintain the truck. We subpoena maintenance records, inspection reports, and prior violation histories to show neglect.
• Improperly loaded or unsecured cargo
  Shifting or overweight cargo can destabilize a truck and cause rollovers or jackknifes. We review loading dock footage, weigh station logs, and the bill of lading to prove mishandling by the shipper or freight handler.
• Poor or inadequate driver training
  Inexperienced commercial drivers pose serious risks. We investigate the company’s hiring protocols, training documentation, and prior driver safety violations to establish a pattern of negligence.
• Substance abuse or impaired driving
  We obtain toxicology reports, police citations, and company drug testing policies to prove impaired operation and potential failures in compliance oversight.
• Inadequate maintenance or skipped inspections
  We analyze service intervals and compare them to required FMCSA maintenance standards, often using internal repair logs or third-party service contracts.

How We Establish Legal Fault

Our firm uses a comprehensive fault analysis that combines:

• Regulatory compliance audits to identify violations of FMCSA and FDOT safety rules
• Crash scene investigations using reconstruction experts and ECM data
• Corporate policy reviews to expose dangerous practices, quotas, or cost-cutting measures
• Witness interviews and sworn statements to corroborate timelines and conduct
• Expert testimony to explain how each negligent act contributed to the crash and resulting injuries

By linking a specific negligent act—or a failure to act—to the resulting harm, we hold drivers, companies, and third parties fully accountable under Florida law and federal trucking regulations.

Insurance & Liability

Liability in trucking accidents is rarely limited to the driver. We pursue claims against:

• Trucking companies (for negligent hiring, supervision, or training)
• Vehicle owners or fleet operators
• Freight brokers and logistics contractors
• Maintenance providers
• Shippers who improperly loaded cargo

Our attorneys also navigate layered commercial insurance policies, including FMCSA-mandated minimums and excess liability coverage, ensuring every available source of compensation is pursued.

Statute of Limitations

• Personal injury: 2 years from the date of the crash
• Wrongful death: 2 years from the date of death

Early intervention is key. Missing these deadlines can bar your right to file.

Recoverable Damages in a Florida Truck Collision

When negligence causes devastating injuries, the financial burden can be overwhelming. Our Florida truck accident attorneys focus on helping victims and their families recover the full scope of damages allowed by law. The amount and type of compensation available depend on the nature and severity of the injuries, as well as the long-term impact on your quality of life.

At Clark Fountain, we thoroughly document and present damages to ensure no loss goes unaddressed. Examples of recoverable compensation in a trucking accident case include:

• Medical bills, both past and anticipated future care

• Emergency transportation and hospitalization

• Ongoing physical rehabilitation and therapy

• Loss of income and employment benefits

• Diminished future earning potential

• Property damage, including vehicle repair or replacement

• Necessary home modifications, such as wheelchair ramps or accessible showers

• Replacement services, like professional housekeeping, transportation, or lawn care

• Pain and suffering from physical injuries

• Mental anguish and psychological trauma

• Loss of enjoyment of life due to lasting impairments

• Impaired quality of life affecting daily function and independence

We work with economic experts, life care planners, and medical professionals to quantify these damages and present them effectively—whether at the negotiation table or in front of a jury.

Our Record of Results

Truck accident lawsuits have risen nationwide—so have verdicts. In May 2018, our team secured a $15.5 million verdict for a 19-year-old who lost his father in a pumper truck crash. With $817+ million recovered, we’ve built a reputation for success in high-stakes commercial vehicle cases.

Why Clients Choose Clark Fountain

• 200+ years of collective legal experience
• Board Certified trial attorneys
• AV® Preeminent™ rated by Martindale-Hubbell®
• National reach with representation in 26+ states
• Comprehensive investigations using expert witnesses and advanced technology
• Client-first approach with compassionate, contingency-fee representation

We align our interests with yours—and we don’t get paid unless we win.

Serving Clients Across Florida and the U.S.

From our Palm Beach Gardens office, we represent clients throughout:

• South Florida
• Central Florida
• The Gulf Coast
• The Florida Panhandle
• And across 26+ states nationwide

We bring national-level litigation strategies to every local case.

Contact a Florida Truck Accident Lawyer Today

Truck accidents demand attorneys with deep knowledge of regulations, evidence, and strategy. Clark, Fountain, La Vista, Littky-Rubin & Whitman is here to help.