Collier County I-75 Truck Rollover Accident: Who May Be Liable for a Second Crash?

What You Need to Know

• A box truck overturned across lanes of southbound I-75 near Pine Ridge Road in Collier County at about 3:54 a.m. on Sunday, May 31, 2026, according to WWSB.
• A second crash followed, and three people died, local outlets reported. The Florida Highway Patrol investigated, and no one’s fault was determined.
• Florida divides fault by percentage under Fla. Stat. 768.81, so more than one driver or company may share responsibility for a second crash.
• Florida negligence and wrongful death lawsuits generally have a two-year deadline for claims that accrued after March 24, 2023 (Fla. Stat. 95.11).
• Evidence such as the crash report, photos, and truck records can disappear, so act early to protect it.

Had a bad day? Call The Reyes Firm at 833-4-BAD-DAY.

You are driving on I-75 in the dark. A truck is across the road ahead, or it was a moment ago. Then another car hits you. Tampa drivers rely on I-75 every day, and a crash like this can happen on any interstate.

On Sunday, May 31, 2026, a truck rollover accident on I-75 in Collier County was followed by a second crash, according to local reports. It raises a question many drivers never think about until it happens to them: when one crash leads to another, who may be liable?

If you were hurt in a second crash, or you stopped to help someone, this guide explains how Florida shares fault, which deadlines apply, what evidence matters, and what coverage may help. For background on the first crash type, see our guide to liability and evidence in rollover truck accidents.

What Happened in the Collier County I-75 Crash?

According to WWSB, a box truck overturned across the center and outside lanes of southbound I-75 near the Pine Ridge Road exit in Collier County around 3:54 a.m. on Sunday, May 31, 2026. A second crash followed. Three people died. The Florida Highway Patrol was investigating, and the account remains preliminary.

As WWSB reported, the second crash involved a Tesla, and a driver who had stopped to help was struck. WINK News also reported that three people died, including a Good Samaritan. Other people were reported injured, but the outlets did not agree on how many, so this article does not give a count. Collier County has seen other recent truck rollovers, including a crash on US-41 near the Everglades in March 2026.

Incident Location

Reported crash area: Southbound I-75, near the Pine Ridge Road exit (about mile marker 107), Collier County, Florida. Reported time: about 3:54 a.m. The exact cross street was not reported.

The investigation was ongoing when this article was prepared, and the account is preliminary. Nothing reported so far establishes legal fault, so readers should not draw conclusions about any driver or company.

⚠️ Warning: The Clock Starts Sooner Than Most People Expect. Under Fla. Stat. 95.11(5)(a), a Florida negligence lawsuit generally must be filed within two years. A wrongful death lawsuit has its own two-year limit under 95.11(5)(e). These limits apply to claims that accrued after March 24, 2023, when HB 837 took effect. Exceptions can change the date, and insurance deadlines are separate, so speak with an attorney early.

If a Truck Overturns and Another Car Hits Me, Who Is Responsible?

More than one person or company may share responsibility. Florida divides fault by percentage, and each party pays only its own share, under Fla. Stat. 768.81(3). Investigators may name the truck driver, the trucking company, the second driver, or others, depending on what they find.

Investigators and attorneys may look at several possible causes and responsible parties:

• The truck driver, if driving or rest habits may have played a part
• The trucking company, if training, scheduling, or maintenance may have played a part
• The driver of the second car, if speed or attention may have played a part
• Anyone who loaded or maintained the truck, if that work may have caused a problem
• A government agency, only if a government vehicle or road defect may be involved

The Collier County crash shows why details matter. According to WWSB, the truck overturned across lanes and a second crash followed. The reports did not say why the truck left the road. Until that is known, no one can say who bears responsibility.

Can the Trucking Company Be Responsible for a Second Crash After Its Truck Overturned?

Possibly. A trucking company may share responsibility if evidence shows its driver or the company acted carelessly and that conduct helped cause the later crash. Florida divides fault by percentage under Fla. Stat. 768.81(3), so a company is not automatically responsible just because its truck was involved.

Florida adopts many federal motor carrier safety rules for commercial vehicles in Fla. Stat. 316.302. Which rules apply depends on the truck’s weight and use. Our truck and commercial vehicle accident page explains how these cases work.

I Stopped to Help at a Truck Crash, and Another Car Hit Me. Who Pays?

Your own PIP coverage may pay first, and the driver who hit you may be responsible for the rest. Florida’s no-fault law, Fla. Stat. 627.736, provides PIP benefits of up to $10,000 and generally requires you to seek treatment within 14 days. The Good Samaritan Act, Fla. Stat. 768.13, protects helpers from claims over their care.

Coverage that may apply after a second crash includes:

• Your PIP coverage. It pays part of your medical bills and lost income, no matter who caused the crash.
• The at-fault driver’s liability insurance. It may pay for harm beyond what PIP covers.
• Other policies you may have. What applies depends on your policies, so have them reviewed.
• The trucking company’s insurance. It may come into play if the company is found to share fault.

To claim pain and suffering, Florida law generally requires a qualifying injury, such as a permanent injury or a significant and permanent loss of a bodily function, under Fla. Stat. 627.737.

The Good Samaritan Act protects people who give free, good-faith emergency care from being sued over that care. It does not say if a helper who is hurt by another driver can recover. That depends on the facts, so ask an attorney.

How Does Florida Split Fault When More Than One Driver or Company Is Involved?

Florida gives each party a percentage of fault, and each pays only its own share. Under Fla. Stat. 768.81(3) and (6), as amended in 2023 by chapter 2023-15, there is no joint and several liability, and a person more than 50% at fault generally recovers nothing.

Here is a labeled example. It is not based on any real case.

What if the truck company blames someone else? A defendant can try to blame a person who is not part of the lawsuit. Under 768.81(3)(a), it must name that nonparty in its court filing and prove that nonparty’s share of fault at trial.

What about a driver who comes upon the wreck? A driver who meets a hazard must slow down. Under Fla. Stat. 316.185, drivers must reduce speed when traffic, weather, or road conditions create a hazard, even below the posted limit. That may affect how fault is shared, but it does not settle it alone. Read how fault works when a truck hits stopped traffic.

🛡️ Your Rights Under Florida Law: Under Fla. Stat. 768.81(2), being partly at fault does not automatically end your claim. Your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault. It is barred only if you are found more than 50% at fault under 768.81(6). Exceptions exist, including for medical negligence claims.

What Evidence Shows Why a Box Truck Left the Road, and Who Controls It?

Key evidence includes the crash report, truck records, driver files, and video, and much of it is held by the trucking company or police. Fla. Stat. 316.066 requires a long-form crash report when a commercial vehicle is involved. Parties, their attorneys, and insurers can get it right away, and others can get it after 60 days.

Some records can be overwritten or discarded over time. A prompt written preservation request to the trucking company helps protect them. Read more about what evidence helps a truck accident claim.

💡 Did You Know? According to the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) Traffic Crash Facts Annual Report 2023, Florida had 395,175 traffic crashes and 3,375 traffic deaths in 2023. These are statewide totals for all crash types, not only truck crashes (report page 8).

What Should I Do Right After a Crash With an Overturned Truck on the Highway, and Should I Get Out of My Car?

Call 911 first and follow the dispatcher’s instructions about staying in your car or moving to safety. On a dark interstate, a second crash can happen in seconds, so safety comes before photos or paperwork.

The risk is real for drivers of other vehicles. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Traffic Safety Facts 2024 Data: Large Trucks (DOT HS 813 816, published June 1, 2026) reports that 5,340 people died nationwide in crashes involving large trucks in 2024. Of those, 70% were occupants of other vehicles.

Once you are safe, these steps help protect your health and your claim:

1. Call 911. Report the hazard and any injuries.
2. Stay safe. Use hazard lights and stay out of travel lanes.
3. Get medical care. Initial treatment generally must begin within 14 days to access PIP benefits under Fla. Stat. 627.736.
4. Take photos if it is safe. Capture the scene, vehicles, and your injuries.
5. Get names. Save witness details and the officer’s report number.
6. Do not argue about fault. Stick to the facts.
7. Speak with an attorney before giving a recorded statement to an insurance company.

How The Reyes Firm Handles Your Truck Crash Case

The Reyes Firm handles truck and second-crash cases with speed, care, and preparation. We move quickly to preserve evidence, identify every responsible party, and review any applicable insurance coverage.

Here is how we help:

• We listen first. We hear what happened and what you need right now.
• We investigate the crash. We look at how the first crash happened and how it led to the second.
• We preserve important evidence. We send preservation requests for truck records and video.
• We identify each potentially responsible party. That may include drivers, companies, and others.
• We locate available insurance and coverage. We review PIP, liability, and other policies.
• We document your injuries. We gather medical records and track your losses.
• We review commercial vehicle rules. We look at the safety rules that may apply to the truck and its company.
• We prepare for settlement and trial. We build each case so it is ready if it cannot be settled fairly.

We serve Tampa and the South Shore communities, including Riverview, Brandon, Plant City, and communities across Hillsborough County. You can visit us at:

The Reyes Firm
4730 N. Habana Ave., Suite 201
Tampa, FL 33614
833-4 BAD DAY
thereyesfirm.com

Frequently Asked Questions About Second Crashes After a Truck Rollover

Can you sue someone who hits you with a car?

Yes, if their carelessness caused your injuries, you may bring a claim. In Florida, the lawsuit deadline for negligence is generally two years under Fla. Stat. 95.11(5)(a). Pain and suffering claims also require a qualifying injury under Fla. Stat. 627.737.

Does the Florida Good Samaritan law protect me if I stop to help?

It may protect you from being sued over the care you give. Fla. Stat. 768.13 covers free, good-faith emergency care given as a reasonably prudent person would. It does not say if you can recover when another driver hurts you.

If my car hits an overturned semi at night, can I still be blamed?

You may share some fault, but you are not automatically to blame. Fla. Stat. 316.185 requires drivers to slow for hazards, and Fla. Stat. 768.81 divides fault by percentage. The truck, its driver, or others may also share fault, depending on the facts.

How long do I have to file a lawsuit after a truck crash in Florida?

Generally, two years for negligence claims that accrued after March 24, 2023, under Fla. Stat. 95.11(5)(a). Exceptions can change the date. PIP treatment has a separate 14-day window under Fla. Stat. 627.736, so do not wait to see a doctor.

What if someone died in the second crash? Who can file?

The decedent’s personal representative brings a wrongful death claim for the survivors and the estate under Fla. Stat. 768.20. The lawsuit deadline is generally two years under 95.11(5)(e). Fla. Stat. 768.21 lists survivors who may recover, such as a spouse, children, and in some cases parents.

Whose insurance pays if I am hurt in a second crash on a Florida highway?

Your own PIP coverage usually pays first for medical bills and lost income, up to its limits. The at-fault driver’s liability insurance may cover more. Other coverage, including any truck company policy, depends on the facts and the policies.

Do I need a lawyer after a multi-vehicle crash with a truck company involved?

Florida law does not require one. But a crash with several drivers and a trucking company can involve many insurers, strict deadlines, and evidence held by others. A free consultation can help you understand your options.

Author Bio

Edward Reyes, Esq.

Edward Reyes, Esq. founded The Reyes Firm and is admitted to The Florida Bar. His practice focuses on serious personal injury cases, including motor vehicle crashes, catastrophic injuries, and claims involving injured children and families. He represents injured people in Tampa and communities across Hillsborough County.

Read more about Edward Reyes.

Legal Disclaimer: This article provides general information only. It is not legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Laws change, and every case is different, so speak with a licensed Florida attorney about your situation. The crash described here was under investigation when this article was prepared, and The Reyes Firm does not represent anyone involved.