Hit by an Out-of-State Truck in Florida? How Your Claim Works

What You Need to Know

• After an out-of-state truck accident in Florida, you can usually bring your claim in a Florida court, even if the trucking company and driver are based in another state.
• Florida law usually applies to crashes that happen on Florida roads.
• Federal rules require most interstate trucking companies to carry at least $750,000 in liability insurance.
• You generally have 2 years to file an injury lawsuit in Florida, and the clock does not stop because the driver lives elsewhere.
• Photograph the USDOT number on the truck. It identifies the company responsible for the truck.

Had a bad day? Call The Reyes Firm at 833-4 BAD DAY ((833) 422-3329)

A semi with Georgia plates hits you on I-4. The driver hands you a Texas license. The company name on the door belongs to a business you have never heard of, in a state you have never visited. Now you are hurt, your car is wrecked, and you are wondering who you can even hold responsible.

An out-of-state truck accident in Florida can feel more confusing than a crash with a local driver. You may worry that you will have to travel to another state, deal with an unfamiliar insurance company, or follow another state’s laws.

This guide explains how these claims usually work for people in Tampa and across Florida. You will learn where a case can be filed, which law applies, how to identify the carrier and its insurance, and the deadlines that matter most.

Can I sue an out-of-state trucking company in Florida?

Yes, in most cases. Florida law lets Florida courts hear claims against out-of-state people and companies when they commit a wrongful act in Florida. If a truck caused your crash on a Florida road, the driver and trucking company can generally be sued here, even if both are based somewhere else.

This rule comes from Florida’s long-arm statute, Florida Statutes § 48.193. It covers anyone who commits a “tortious act” in Florida. A tortious act is a wrongful act that causes harm, such as careless driving.

Three other rules help make sure an out-of-state defendant can actually be reached:

• Out-of-state drivers and owners. Under Florida Statutes § 48.171, a nonresident who drives in Florida, or lets a vehicle they own or control be driven here, can be served with a lawsuit through Florida’s Secretary of State.
• Interstate trucking companies. Federal rules in 49 CFR Part 366 require registered motor carriers to name a “process agent” in every state where they operate. A process agent accepts court papers for the company. Carriers file this on FMCSA Form BOC-3.
• Their insurance companies. Under 49 CFR 387.11, a carrier’s insurer must be authorized in, or name an agent for court papers in, each state where the carrier operates.

For you, this usually means you don’t need to travel to Georgia, Texas, or anywhere else to pursue your claim. A Tampa truck accident lawyer can typically handle the case here. Whether a case should be filed in state or federal court, and how it might move between them, depends on the facts and requires an attorney’s review.

Which state’s law applies after a crash with an out-of-state truck?

Florida law usually applies when the crash happens in Florida. Florida courts use a “most significant relationship” test to decide which state’s law controls an injury claim. Under that test, the place where the injury happened is usually the deciding factor, so a crash on I-4 or I-275 is normally decided under Florida law.

The Florida Supreme Court adopted this test in Bishop v. Florida Specialty Paint Co., 389 So. 2d 999 (Fla. 1980). Courts still look at each issue separately. Where the parties live, where the trip started, and where their relationship is centered can also matter.

Why this matters for you:

• Florida’s filing deadlines generally apply.
• Florida’s comparative fault rules generally decide how fault is shared.
• Florida’s insurance rules, including your Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage, still apply.

If the trucking company argues another state’s law should apply to part of your case, your attorney will need to review that argument closely.

How do I find out who owns the truck and who insures it?

Start with the truck itself. Interstate trucks must display the carrier’s name and its USDOT number on both sides of the vehicle. That number is the company’s federal ID. You can look it up in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s public SAFER Company Snapshot to see who the registered carrier is.

The marking rule comes from 49 CFR 390.21T. The letters “USDOT” must appear before the number, and it must be readable from 50 feet away.

If you are able to after the crash, photograph:

• Both doors of the truck cab, including the company name and USDOT number
• The trailer and any separate company name or number on it
• License plates on the tractor and trailer
• The driver’s commercial driver’s license (CDL)
• The police officer’s name and the report number

Be aware that the name on the door may not tell the whole story. One business may own the truck, another may operate it, and a broker may arrange the load. Sorting out those relationships is part of identifying every party that may be responsible.

⚠️ WARNING: The Deadline Keeps Running Even If the Trucker Lives in Another State

Under Florida Statutes § 95.11(5)(a), most negligence lawsuits must be filed within 2 years. A wrongful death lawsuit must generally be filed within 2 years of the date of death under § 95.11(5)(e).

Florida law does pause the deadline when the person being sued is absent from the state. But under § 95.051, that pause does not apply when the person can still be served in a way that gives a Florida court power over them. Because Florida allows service on out-of-state drivers and trucking companies, you should assume the 2-year clock keeps running.

Crashes that happened before March 24, 2023, may fall under an older 4-year rule. Ask an attorney to confirm the deadline for your specific crash.

Whose insurance pays after a crash with an out-of-state truck in Florida?

Several policies may apply. Your own Florida PIP coverage usually pays first for medical bills and lost wages, up to its limits. Claims beyond PIP are typically made against the trucking company’s liability insurance. Federal rules require most interstate freight carriers to carry at least $750,000 in liability coverage.

Here is how the main layers usually work:

The federal minimums come from 49 CFR 387.9. These amounts are a floor, not a cap. A carrier may have more coverage, including excess policies.

Federal rules also say proof of a carrier’s required coverage is public information that must be produced on reasonable request (49 CFR 387.7(e)(1)). And the carrier’s insurer must be able to accept court papers in the states where the carrier operates (49 CFR 387.11). An out-of-state insurer cannot simply ignore a Florida claim.

📊 DID YOU KNOW?

In 2024, 353 people died in Florida crashes involving large trucks, and 242 of them were occupants of other vehicles, not the trucks.

Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Traffic Safety Facts, Large Trucks: 2024 Data (DOT HS 813 816, June 2026), Table 7, Florida. View the NHTSA report.

How long do I have to file a claim if the trucking company is based in another state?

In most Florida truck crash cases, you have 2 years from the crash date to file an injury lawsuit. A wrongful death lawsuit generally must be filed within 2 years of the date of death. The trucking company being based in another state usually does not give you extra time.

There are also shorter, practical deadlines that can affect your claim:

• 14 days for medical care. To keep your PIP medical benefits, you must get initial medical care within 14 days of the crash.
• Reporting the crash. Florida requires you to notify law enforcement of crashes involving a commercial motor vehicle, injury, or death, according to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.
• Evidence timelines. Trucking records such as electronic logs and dash cam video may not be kept forever. Acting early helps preserve them.

These crashes are common. The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles reported 46,651 commercial motor vehicle crashes statewide in 2024, with 315 deaths, based on preliminary 2024 numbers (FLHSMV, By the Numbers 2024).

Waiting can also make an out-of-state case harder in practical ways. Witnesses scatter, the truck returns to the road in another state, and the company’s records stay far from Tampa.

What if the out-of-state trucking company blames me for the crash?

You may still recover compensation if you share some of the blame. Florida uses modified comparative fault. Your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault. But if a jury finds you more than 50 percent at fault for your own injuries, you cannot recover damages from the other parties.

This rule is in Florida Statutes § 768.81. Florida switched to this system in 2023. Some older articles still describe Florida as a “pure” comparative fault state, which is no longer accurate.

Trucking companies and their insurers often look for ways to shift blame. They may point to your speed, your lane change, or another driver. Under § 768.81(3)(a), a defendant who wants to blame someone who is not part of the lawsuit must plead that claim and prove it at trial.

Evidence matters here. Truck data, driver logs, inspection records, and video can show what really happened.

⚖️ YOUR RIGHTS: Florida Courts Can Hear Your Case

Under Florida Statutes § 48.193(1)(a), a person or company that commits a wrongful act in Florida submits to the jurisdiction of Florida courts for claims arising from that act, even if it is based in another state.

This means an out-of-state trucking company and driver who cause a crash on a Florida road can generally be held accountable here. Federal due process limits still apply, and claims against businesses that were not directly involved, such as brokers or parent companies, need a case-specific review.

How The Reyes Firm Handles Your Out-of-State Truck Accident Case

When a truck from another state hits you, the evidence and decision-makers are often far from Tampa. The Reyes Firm works quickly to close that distance. Our team at The Reyes Firm, 4730 N. Habana Ave., Suite 201, Tampa, FL 33614, is available at 833-4-BAD-DAY. We represent people in Tampa and the South Shore communities, serving Tampa, Riverview, Brandon, Plant City, and communities across Hillsborough County.

Here is how we approach these cases:

• Identify the carrier and every responsible party. We trace the USDOT number, operating authority, lease arrangements, and any broker or shipper involved in the load.
• Act early to preserve evidence. We move quickly to preserve ELD data, engine data, dash cam video, inspection records, and driver files before they are lost.
• Review federal safety rules. We compare the driver’s and carrier’s conduct with Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration regulations, including hours-of-service and maintenance requirements.
• Find the insurance. We look for every applicable policy, including the carrier’s liability coverage, any excess coverage, and your own PIP.
• Document your injuries and losses. Attorney Edward Reyes worked on the medical side of personal injury before becoming a lawyer, so we pay close attention to your treatment, your records, and how your injuries affect your life.
• Handle the insurance company for you. Out-of-state adjusters still have to deal with us, and you don’t have to deal with them alone.
• Prepare the case for trial. We prepare serious truck cases with litigation in mind, which helps with negotiations and in court if they don’t offer a fair settlement.

We serve clients in English and Spanish. Hablamos Español.

Frequently Asked Questions About Out-of-State Truck Accidents in Florida

Do I have to travel to another state to pursue my truck accident claim?

Usually not. When the crash happens in Florida, Florida courts can generally hear the case under Florida Statutes § 48.193. Your Tampa truck accident lawyer can handle the claim here.

Can I sue the out-of-state truck driver personally, or only the trucking company?

You may be able to sue both. Florida law allows service on nonresident drivers and vehicle owners through the Secretary of State under § 48.171. Which parties are responsible depends on the facts, such as who employed the driver and who controlled the truck.

Does my Florida PIP still apply if a truck from Georgia hit me?

Yes, your own Florida PIP coverage generally still applies. It can pay up to $10,000 in medical and disability benefits if you get initial medical care within 14 days of the crash. Medical benefits are capped at $2,500 unless a qualifying provider determines you had an emergency medical condition. You usually file claims beyond PIP against the at-fault party’s insurance.

What if the trucking company’s insurance company is located in another state?

That usually does not stop your claim. Federal rules require the insurer of an interstate carrier to be authorized in, or reachable through a designated agent in, each state where the carrier operates. Your attorney can communicate with that insurer from Tampa.

What if I don’t have the USDOT number or the trucking company’s name?

Do not panic. The police report, witness statements, video, and toll or camera records may help identify the truck. Contact an attorney quickly, because evidence is easier to find in the first days after a crash.

Can I still recover money if the trucking company says I was partly at fault?

Possibly. Under Florida Statutes § 768.81, your recovery is reduced by your share of fault. If you are found more than 50 percent at fault for your own injuries, you cannot recover damages.

Legal Disclaimer: This article provides general information about Florida law and is not legal advice. Reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship with The Reyes Firm. Every case is different, so speak with a licensed Florida attorney about your specific situation.