What Happens When a Company Truck Hits You in Florida?
What You Need to Know The driver may not be the only person responsible for the crash involving the company truck. The employer, vehicle owner, maintenance provider, or another business may share fault. Company records, video, GPS data, and vehicle information can disappear quickly. Several commercial and personal insurance policies may apply to the same accident. Had a bad day? Call The Reyes Firm at 833-4 BAD DAY. What happens when a company truck hits you is different from what happens after a typical car accident. You may have claims against the driver, the employer, the vehicle owner, and other businesses connected to the truck. Call 911, get medical care, and photograph the truck before it leaves. Do not accept an early settlement before you understand your injuries, the available insurance, and the evidence controlled by the company. A company vehicle may be a delivery van, box truck, fleet pickup, tractor-trailer, utility truck, or company car. The type of vehicle and the work being performed can change who is responsible and which rules apply. What Happens When a Company Truck Hits You at the Crash Scene? When a company truck hits you, call 911, request medical help, and document the vehicle before it leaves. Photograph the company name, truck number, license plate, damage, road conditions, and visible injuries. Get witness information, avoid discussing fault, and do not give the company’s insurer a rushed recorded statement. Call 911 even if the driver asks you not to A company driver may offer to report the damage to a manager without involving the police. Do not rely on that promise. A police report can help identify: The driver. The employer. The vehicle owner. The insurance carrier. Witnesses. Traffic citations. Tell emergency responders about every symptom you notice. That includes headaches, dizziness, neck pain, back pain, numbness, confusion, or trouble breathing. Do not say you are fine just because you can stand or walk. Photograph the company truck before it leaves The logo on the truck may not identify the company that owns the vehicle or employs the driver. Take clear pictures of: The company name and logo. The truck and trailer numbers. The license plate. The USDOT number, if displayed. Damage to every vehicle. Skid marks and debris. Spilled or unsecured cargo. Traffic signs and signals. The surrounding road. Take close pictures and wide pictures from several angles. Stay out of traffic and do not risk another injury. Get the driver’s work information Collect more than the driver’s personal name and phone number. Ask for: The driver’s license. The commercial driver’s license, if applicable. The employer’s name. The vehicle owner’s name. The insurance card. A supervisor’s contact information. The truck’s route or delivery information. Write down anything the driver says about the trip. Comments about rushing, working late, making a delivery, or returning to the warehouse may help explain what the driver was doing when the crash happened. Get medical care and save your records Some injuries become more painful after the shock of the crash wears off. Follow your doctor’s instructions and save: Medical records. Medical bills. Prescription receipts. Work restriction notes. Pay stubs. Towing bills. Rental car receipts. Insurance letters. Pictures of your injuries. You can also keep a short daily record of your pain, sleep problems, missed activities, and physical limits. Be careful when the company’s insurer calls A commercial insurance adjuster may contact you before you know the full extent of your injuries. You can report basic facts without guessing about speed, distance, fault, or your recovery. You can also explain that you are still receiving medical care and are not ready to give a recorded statement. Do not sign a release before you know what it covers. Signing a settlement release can end your claim, even if your symptoms later get worse. ⚠️ Warning: Florida Deadlines Can Affect Your Claim: Florida Statute § 95.11 generally gives you two years to file a negligence lawsuit. Florida Statute § 627.736 generally requires qualifying initial medical services within 14 days for potential PIP medical benefits. Videos, GPS records, and company data may disappear much sooner. Who May Be Liable After a Company Truck Crash in Florida? Liability may extend beyond the person behind the wheel. The driver, employer, motor carrier, vehicle owner, maintenance provider, cargo company, or parts manufacturer may share responsibility. The investigation should focus on who controlled the driver, owned the truck, planned the trip, maintained the vehicle, and created the unsafe condition. The company truck driver A driver may cause a crash by: Speeding. Following too closely. Running a red light. Making an unsafe lane change. Looking at a phone. Driving while tired. Driving under the influence. Failing to inspect the truck. A citation can help, but it may not show the full story. The officer may not have access to dashcam footage, GPS data, company messages, or maintenance records at the scene. The driver’s employer A company may be responsible when an employee causes a crash while completing assigned work. This can include: Making a delivery. Driving to a service appointment. Moving equipment. Returning to a warehouse. Traveling between work sites. Running an errand for a manager. Employer responsibility for an employee’s work-related conduct is sometimes called vicarious liability. The company may also be responsible for its own unsafe decisions. Examples include: Hiring an unsafe driver. Failing to train the driver. Ignoring prior violations. Allowing a tired driver to work. Setting unsafe delivery deadlines. Failing to enforce safety rules. Keeping an unsafe vehicle on the road. The vehicle owner The company name on the door may not match the name on the vehicle title. A separate business may own or lease the truck. A local delivery contractor may also operate a vehicle carrying a larger company’s logo or branding. Vehicle ownership records, lease agreements, insurance policies, and permission to use the truck should be reviewed before anyone is ruled out. A maintenance or repair company A maintenance provider may share responsibility if poor work contributed to
