Seriously Injured in a Truck Accident? We have a Truck Accident Lawyer ready to help you now.
Commercial truck crashes involve federal safety regulations, multiple responsible companies, and evidence that can disappear within weeks. Maaswinkel Law represents injured people across Orange, Seminole, and Osceola counties on a contingency fee basis.
Serving injured Floridians since 1997
Experienced Orlando Truck Accident Lawyer
Why Choose Maaswinkel Law for Your Truck Accident Case?
When you’ve been severely injured by a commercial truck, you need more than just a lawyer—you need a fierce advocate who understands the complex federal and state regulations governing truck accidents in Florida. At Maaswinkel Law, we combine deep local knowledge with national-level results to fight for every dollar you deserve from powerful trucking companies and their insurers.
Practicing Since 1997
Founding attorney Greg Maaswinkel has represented injured Floridians since 1997.
Contingency Fee Basis
Fees and costs are explained in writing before you hire us.
Local & Responsive
Based in Orlando, we know the major highways, local courts, and how to challenge large trucking corporations.
Personalized Service
You’ll always talk to your attorney, not a call center, ensuring direct and responsive communication after your serious injury.
Common Truck Accident Injuries & Damages
Collisions involving 18-wheelers, semi-trucks, and other commercial vehicles often result in catastrophic injuries due to their sheer size and weight, profoundly impacting victims’ lives.
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) from violent impact
- Amputations or severe limb damage
- Internal organ damage & internal bleeding
- Spinal cord injuries, leading to paralysis or chronic pain
- Multiple broken bones & complex fractures
- Severe burns from fires or chemical spills
The Maaswinkel Law Difference
What We Fight to Recover for Truck Accident Victims:
- Extensive medical expenses (emergency, surgeries, long-term care)
- Pain and suffering, emotional distress, and PTSD
- Rehabilitation costs (physical therapy, occupational therapy)
- Lost wages and significant loss of future earning capacity
- Property damage (totaled vehicles) and transportation costs
- Wrongful death damages (in tragic fatal truck accidents)
Not sure what you can claim after a big rig crash? Contact our Orlando truck accident lawyer now — we’ll help you understand your legal options and fight for maximum compensation.
What You Should Do After a Truck Accident in Orlando
Your actions immediately following a commercial truck collision are critical for your health and the strength of your legal claim.
Ensure safety & call 911 for emergency medical assistance and police.
Document the scene: Take photos of all vehicles, debris, road conditions, skid marks, and your injuries.
Exchange information with the truck driver (license, insurance, company details). Get contact info for any witnesses.
Do NOT admit fault or make recorded statements to anyone, especially truck company representatives or their insurers.
Seek immediate medical attention and follow all doctor's orders.
Report the accident to your insurance company, but only provide basic facts.
Contact Maaswinkel Law before signing anything or discussing details with opposing parties.
Trucking companies have rapid response teams; you need legal representation just as quickly.
How Maaswinkel Law Handles Your Case
From day one, we take on the heavy burden of investigation and legal complexities so you can focus on healing from your devastating injuries.
Rapid Response & Evidence Preservation
We immediately move to secure critical evidence like truck black box data, driver logs, maintenance records, and witness statements before they disappear.
Complex Investigation
We thoroughly investigate all factors, including driver fatigue, hours of service violations, improper loading, mechanical failures, and company negligence.
Identifying All Liable Parties
Unlike car accidents, truck accidents often involve multiple defendants (driver, trucking company, cargo loader, maintenance provider, manufacturer). We identify them all.
Independent Case Analysis
We work with accident reconstructionists, treating physicians, and economic analysts to document how the crash happened and what your losses total.
Aggressive Negotiation
We confront powerful trucking companies and their large insurance carriers, demanding full and fair compensation for all your losses.
Litigation & Trial
If a just settlement is not reached, we are fully prepared to take your 18-wheeler accident case to trial, fighting vigorously for your rights in court.
Trial
Florida Truck Accident Laws & Regulations
As experienced semi-truck accident lawyers in Orlando, we navigate the intricate web of state and federal regulations (like those from the FMCSA) that govern commercial trucking. These rules cover everything from driver qualifications and hours of service to vehicle maintenance and cargo securement. Violations of these regulations often play a significant role in causing catastrophic accidents and establishing negligence. We are prepared to leverage this knowledge to hold all negligent parties accountable in Central Florida.
Common Truck Accident Questions
Commercial truck claims work differently from ordinary car crashes. Federal safety regulations apply, more than one company may be responsible, and the evidence that matters most can be overwritten within weeks.
Can you sue if a truck driver hits you?
Yes, when the driver’s negligence caused your injuries. Truck claims differ from car claims in who else may be responsible: the motor carrier, the company that loaded the cargo, a maintenance contractor, or the truck’s manufacturer can each share liability. Commercial policies are also far larger than personal auto policies, which is why carriers investigate these crashes aggressively and often send an adjuster to the scene within hours.
What are the new laws in Florida regarding truck drivers?
Commercial truck drivers in Florida are governed by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations, which set limits on driving hours, require electronic logging devices, and mandate drug and alcohol testing after serious crashes. Separately, House Bill 837 changed Florida injury law in 2023: the filing deadline for most negligence claims dropped from four years to two, and a person found more than 50% at fault under § 768.81 recovers nothing.
Who can be held responsible besides the truck driver?
Often several parties. The motor carrier may be liable for negligent hiring, inadequate training, or pressuring drivers past hours-of-service limits. A cargo loading company may be responsible if a shifting or overweight load contributed. A maintenance contractor may share fault for brake or tire failure. The manufacturer may be liable for a defective component. Identifying every responsible party matters because each may carry separate insurance coverage.
How are truck accident claims different from car accident claims?
Three ways that matter. Federal regulations create evidence that does not exist in car crashes — driver logs, electronic control module data, inspection records, and drug testing results. Commercial insurance policies are substantially larger, so carriers defend these claims harder. And more than one company is usually involved, which means untangling contracts between the carrier, the driver, and the shipper.
How quickly do I need to act after a truck accident?
Quickly. Electronic logging data and engine control module records can be overwritten or lawfully destroyed within months, and carriers are only required to retain certain records for limited periods. A preservation letter sent early can stop that. The filing deadline is two years for crashes on or after March 24, 2023, but the evidence question is far more urgent than the deadline.