Truck Accident Attorney in St. Johns County

Commercial Truck Crash Claims Along Florida’s I-95 Corridor

When a commercial truck hits a passenger vehicle on I-95 or any St. Johns County, FL, road, the consequences are rarely minor. At Canan Law, we handle these claims from first investigation through resolution, drawing on more than 85 years of combined practice experience and a record of over 250 jury trials. Our attorneys don’t shy away from the complexity of commercial truck litigation, and we don’t treat settlement as the automatic goal. We build each case to go the distance if that’s what it takes.

Founding attorney and managing partner Patrick Canan is admitted to practice in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida, and our team takes a collaborative approach to every case, with attorneys working together to pressure-test strategy before it reaches a courtroom.

Why Truck Accident Claims Are More Complex Than Car Crashes

A collision involving an 18-wheeler or tractor-trailer isn’t simply a larger version of a typical car accident. Multiple parties can carry legal responsibility, and identifying all of them requires a different kind of investigation than most personal injury cases demand. Our attorneys collaborate with accident reconstructionists and investigators to trace exactly what happened and who is accountable.

Multiple Parties Can Share Liability

Trucking companies can face liability under the doctrine of respondeat superior, which holds an employer responsible for a driver’s negligent conduct within the scope of employment. A company may also be liable separately for negligent hiring, training, or supervision of its drivers. If a maintenance or repair contractor contributed to the crash through faulty work, that party may share liability as well.

Federal Regulations & Evidence Sources

Commercial trucking is governed by Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations, which set minimum standards for hours of service, drug and alcohol testing, and vehicle maintenance. Electronic logging device data, inspection records, and driver qualification files are all potential sources of evidence. When an out-of-state carrier is involved, the case may proceed in federal rather than state court, which is another reason local knowledge and federal court admission matter.

Catastrophic Injuries in St. Johns County Truck Collisions

A fully loaded semi-truck can weigh up to 80,000 pounds. A passenger vehicle weighs a fraction of that. The physics of those collisions produce injuries that are categorically different from what most car accidents cause. An injury is generally considered catastrophic when it causes, or is likely to cause, a permanent consequence for the victim.

Common catastrophic injuries from truck crashes include traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, severe fractures, and amputation. We have represented the family of a bicyclist killed after being struck by a truck, and we understand the weight of these cases, not just their legal complexity. When a truck accident is fatal, surviving family members may be able to pursue a wrongful death claim under Florida law.

Damages, Deadlines, & Comparative Fault in Florida

Two legal rules directly shape your ability to recover. Florida’s statute of limitations for negligence-based personal injury claims is generally two years from the date of injury for incidents occurring on or after March 24, 2023. Missing that deadline typically ends the claim. Florida also uses a modified comparative negligence rule: if you are found more than 50% at fault for your own injury, you can’t recover damages. If you are found 50% or less at fault, your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault. Both rules make early legal involvement important.

Recoverable damages can include medical expenses, future care costs, lost wages, pain and suffering, and property damage. Commercial carriers are subject to minimum insurance requirements that generally exceed those for passenger vehicles, which affects how these claims are negotiated and litigated. We evaluate each case individually to determine which damages you may be entitled to pursue.

Filing a Truck Accident Case in St. Johns County

St. Johns County is part of Florida’s Seventh Judicial Circuit, which also covers Flagler, Putnam, and Volusia counties. Civil personal injury cases arising in the county are handled at the Richard O. Watson Judicial Center in St. Augustine. Our firm is widely known in Northeast Florida and carries deep familiarity with the local courts and the judges who preside over civil litigation there.

I-95 runs through the county and carries heavy commercial truck traffic year-round. That volume means crashes in this corridor aren’t uncommon, and the claims that follow require attorneys who know both the local court system and the federal regulatory framework that governs the carriers on that road.

Talk to Our St. Johns County Truck Accident Lawyer Today

After a serious truck collision, time matters. Evidence disappears and deadlines run. We offer free consultations for personal injury clients and work on a contingency fee, meaning you pay nothing in legal fees unless we recover on your behalf. Our team is ready to evaluate your claim and can explain your options.