Every time you pull onto I-95 or US-1 in West Palm Beach, you share the road with 18-wheelers, delivery trucks, and other large commercial vehicles. These trucks are vital to Florida’s economy, but when something goes wrong, the consequences can be devastating.
If a negligent truck driver or trucking company injured you or someone you love, a West Palm Beach truck accident lawyer from Frankl Kominsky Injury Lawyers can help you pursue the full compensation you need to move forward.
We know how suddenly your life can change after a collision with a commercial truck. Accidents involving tractor-trailers, semi trucks, and other heavy motor vehicles are some of the worst accidents we see.
Between painful injuries, lost work, and the pressure of medical bills, it’s hard to know where to turn or what to do next. We are here to help. Call us today to schedule a free consultation. We’ll answer your questions, address your concerns, and explain your best options for obtaining the full and fair compensation you deserve.
Why is Frankl Kominsky the Right Firm for Your West Palm Beach Truck Accident Case?
When you’ve been injured in a truck accident, you need more than just legal knowledge—you need a firm that treats your case with urgency, care, and resolve. At Frankl Kominsky Injury Lawyers, we’ve built a reputation across South Florida for securing meaningful results in high-stakes personal injury cases. Clients choose us because we:
- Deliver courtroom-tested advocacy. Our attorneys are seasoned litigators who prepare every case as if it’s going to trial.
- Know how insurers operate. Our background negotiating with insurance companies gives us a strategic edge.
- Prioritize personal attention. Every client gets direct communication, not voicemail loops or case managers.
- Act quickly to preserve evidence. In truck accidents, time is critical. We move fast to secure black box data, driver logs, and surveillance footage.
We never settle unless it’s in your best interest. If your case needs to go to trial, we’ll be ready to fight for the maximum compensation.
Why Are Truck Accidents So Dangerous?
The size, speed, and weight of commercial trucks make them a serious hazard when safety protocols break down. Unlike typical car crashes, truck collisions often involve devastating impact forces.
Common types of truck accidents include:
- Jackknife accidents – When a trailer swings out to form a 90-degree angle with the cab, often during sudden braking
- Underride collisions – When a smaller vehicle slides beneath the trailer, often resulting in fatal injuries
- Override crashes – When a truck drives over the rear of a smaller vehicle
- Rollover accidents – Caused by speeding, shifting cargo, or taking curves too fast
- Blind spot collisions – Trucks have wide blind spots on all four sides
- Tire blowouts – Sudden failures that can lead to loss of control or multi-vehicle crashes
The height and weight disparity between an 80,000-pound big rig and a 3,000-pound passenger vehicle leaves the smaller vehicle and its occupants extremely vulnerable. These collisions often happen at full highway speeds, multiplying the damage.
West Palm Beach truck accident hotspots
Truck accidents are especially common in high-traffic areas like:
- I-95, particularly near Belvedere Road and Palm Beach Lakes Boulevard
- US-1 as it weaves through urban and residential zones
- Okeechobee Boulevard, a corridor busy with delivery trucks and local freight
- Florida’s Turnpike, where long-haul trucks pass through Palm Beach County daily
If your crash happened in one of these areas—or anywhere else in the region—we can help you take action.
Truck Accidents in West Palm Beach
Truck crashes are a growing concern in Palm Beach County. According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, Palm Beach County saw:
- 523 commercial vehicle crashes in one recent year
- 13 fatalities involving large trucks
- Almost 200 injuries caused by truck-related accidents
Statewide, more than 45,000 crashes involved commercial motor vehicles that same year. These numbers reflect just how often lives are affected by negligent truck driving, vehicle failures, or poor safety policies.
Why Truck Accident Cases Are Different
Truck accidents aren’t just larger versions of car crashes. These collisions often involve multiple parties, serious injuries, and corporate interests determined to minimize their liability. That’s what makes these cases more legally demanding and time-sensitive.
Higher stakes, heavier injuries
Due to the size and weight of commercial vehicles, truck accidents frequently cause catastrophic injuries. Some common truck accident injuries that crash survivors suffer include:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) – Caused by blunt force or whiplash, often resulting in cognitive changes
- Spinal cord damage – Can lead to partial or complete paralysis, requiring lifelong care
- Internal injuries – Hidden injuries like spleen rupture or lung puncture can be life-threatening
- Fractures and broken bones – Especially in the pelvis, arms, and ribs
- Crush injuries – May require amputations or reconstructive surgery
- Amputations – truck crashes can mangle smaller vehicles, causing loss of limbs
- Burns – From fuel fires or chemical exposure
- Psychological trauma – Anxiety, PTSD, and depression are common in serious crashes
Many of these injuries require long-term care, rehabilitation, and may even result in lifelong disabilities. A West Palm Beach truck accident lawyer with Frankl Kominsky Injury Lawyers can help you calculate the full value of your current and future losses, not just your immediate medical expenses.
Who May Be Held Liable in a Truck Accident Case?
West Palm Beach truck accident cases often involve more than just the driver. Depending on the facts, one or more of the following parties could be responsible:
- Truck driver – For careless or reckless driving
- Trucking company – For unsafe policies or failure to vet drivers
- Cargo loader – For overloading or improperly securing freight
- Maintenance provider – For missing defects or skipping required repairs
- Vehicle manufacturer – For defects in brakes, tires, or other components
- Broker or shipper – If they prioritized speed over safety
Each party may try to shift blame or deny involvement. At Frankl Kominsky Injury Lawyers, we conduct an in-depth investigation to uncover every liable party and preserve the evidence needed to support your claim.
Federal and state regulations apply
Commercial trucks are subject to strict rules under both Florida law and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). These include:
- Hours-of-service limits to prevent driver fatigue
- Mandatory maintenance and inspection protocols
- Load limits and cargo securement requirements
- Driver training and certification standards
Violations of these regulations serve as powerful evidence of negligence. Our legal team is well-versed in state and federal trucking laws and knows how to uncover these violations quickly.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents in West Palm Beach
Palm Beach County’s roads and highways support a constant flow of local freight and out-of-state trucks. With this high volume of traffic, truck collisions can happen in many ways. Here are some of the most common causes of truck crashes in West Palm Beach.
Driver fatigue and violations of service hours
Long shifts and tight deadlines often push drivers to exceed federally mandated hours. Fatigue reduces focus, slows reaction time, and makes mistakes more likely behind the wheel.
Distracted driving
When truck drivers check their phones, adjust GPS systems, or eat while driving, their attention shifts from the road, increasing the risk of a serious collision.
Impaired driving
Even small amounts of alcohol, drugs, or certain medications can compromise a driver’s judgment and reaction time, putting others in danger.
Poor vehicle maintenance
Trucks that aren’t regularly inspected or properly maintained are more likely to experience brake failures, tire blowouts, or mechanical issues that lead to crashes.
Improper cargo loading
When freight is overloaded or poorly secured, it can shift during transport, affecting the truck’s balance and increasing the chance of a rollover or loss of control.
Speeding or aggressive driving
Truckers traveling too fast for conditions, tailgating, or making unsafe lane changes pose a significant threat to nearby vehicles, especially in heavy traffic zones like I-95.
Lack of driver training or supervision
Inexperienced or poorly trained drivers may not know how to handle hazardous road conditions, complex maneuvers, or emergency situations safely.
What Should I Do After a Truck Accident?
If you haven’t already sought medical attention, that should be your priority. Even if you feel “okay,” many truck accident injuries, such as concussions, traumatic brain injuries, soft tissue damage, or internal trauma, can take hours or days to show symptoms. Early medical documentation is not only important for your health, but it also strengthens your claim.
Your next step should be to consult a qualified truck accident lawyer. An attorney can review your case, help preserve key evidence, and manage communications with insurance companies. This is especially important if you’ve been contacted by an insurer offering a quick settlement. Do not agree to anything or provide a recorded statement without legal guidance.
Avoid posting about your accident on social media. Insurers may use anything you say online to undermine your claim. Also, keep copies of all accident-related expenses—medical bills, repair estimates, pharmacy receipts, and missed wage records.
Finally, follow your doctor’s treatment plan. Skipping appointments or stopping treatment early can hurt both your recovery and your case. A consistent, well-documented medical history is key to obtaining the compensation you may deserve.
Damages You May Be Able to Recover
Truck accidents often result in high-dollar losses. The goal of a personal injury claim is to recover compensation for all the ways your injuries have impacted your life—financially, physically, and emotionally.
Depending on your situation, you may be eligible to recover damages for:
- Emergency medical treatment and hospitalization
- Follow-up care, surgeries, and rehabilitation
- Lost income and loss of future earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Permanent disability or disfigurement
- Mental anguish and trauma
- Damage to your vehicle or other property
If a loved one was killed in a truck crash, Florida law allows surviving family members to pursue a wrongful death lawsuit, which can cover funeral costs, lost companionship, and future financial support.
In some cases, the trucking company may also be ordered to pay punitive damages if its conduct was especially reckless or blatant. For example, if a company knowingly allowed a driver with a history of substance abuse or multiple safety violations to operate a commercial vehicle, a court may award punitive damages to punish that behavior and deter similar actions in the future.
Do I Have a Truck Accident Claim?
To bring a valid personal injury claim, we need to prove that someone else’s negligence or recklessness caused your injuries. Doing this requires us to establish four elements:
- Duty of care – The truck driver or company owed you a duty to operate safely.
- Breach of duty – That duty was violated (e.g., running a red light or driving while tired).
- Causation – That breach directly led to the accident.
- Damages – You suffered actual losses, such as medical bills or lost income.
Don’t worry—this isn’t something you have to figure out on your own. When you work with us, we gather the evidence and build a solid case for you.
Don’t Fight with the Insurance Companies
After a truck crash, you may be contacted by the trucking company’s insurer. They might offer a quick settlement or ask you for a recorded statement. Talking with them is not in your best interest.
Insurance adjusters are trained to save their company money. They might pressure you into accepting less than your case is worth, or twist your words to use against you.
Instead, let a West Palm Beach truck accident lawyer from our team handle all communications. We’ll fight for a settlement that actually reflects your needs.
Is There a Deadline for Filing a Truck Accident Lawsuit in Florida?
Yes. Florida law sets a two-year statute of limitations for most personal injury and wrongful death claims. That means you typically have two years from the date of the crash to file a lawsuit. If you miss this deadline, your case may be dismissed entirely.
There are exceptions in some cases, so it’s best to speak with an attorney as soon as possible.
What If I Am Partially to Blame for the Accident?
Let’s say you were glancing at your phone when the truck drifted into your lane—or maybe you didn’t signal before switching lanes. You might still have a case.
Florida follows a modified comparative fault rule. As long as you were less than 51% at fault, you can still recover damages. However, your compensation will be reduced by the percentage of your fault.
Don’t assume you’re out of options. Let us review the facts.
How Can a Lawyer Help with My West Palm Beach Truck Accident Case?
A truck accident case isn’t something you should take on by yourself. Our legal team can help you by:
- Preserving evidence and requesting key documents before they’re destroyed
- Identifying all responsible parties
- Handling communications with insurance companies
- Calculating and demanding full damages
- Negotiating aggressively for a fair settlement, or taking your case to trial
We take care of everything so that you can focus on healing.
Contact the West Palm Beach Truck Accident Lawyers at Frankl Kominsky Today
Truck crashes are serious, but your recovery doesn’t have to be something you go through alone. At Frankl Kominsky Injury Lawyers, we put our name—and our reputation—on the line for every client. If you were injured in a truck accident in West Palm Beach, call us at (561) 800-8000 or contact us online to get started. Our West Palm Beach truck accident lawyers are ready to listen—and to fight for the justice and compensation you deserve.