Polk County
Truck Accident

Attorney

Firefighter inspecting damage at the scene of a two-car accident

Polk County Truck Accident Lawyer

Polk County’s highways, including I-4, U.S. Highway 27, and State Road 60, see heavy commercial truck traffic daily. Semi-trucks, delivery trucks, and big rigs are essential for transporting goods, but when truck drivers or trucking companies act negligently, serious accidents happen. Due to the size and weight of commercial trucks, these collisions often result in catastrophic injuries or fatalities.

At Kemp Injury Law, we help victims of truck accidents in Lakeland, Winter Haven, and throughout Polk County recover compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck crash, our firm is here to protect your rights and pursue the financial recovery you deserve.

Why Truck Accidents Are More Dangerous Than Other Crashes

Unlike standard car accidents, collisions involving large commercial trucks often result in severe injuries due to the sheer force of impact. A fully loaded semi-truck can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, making it difficult to stop quickly in an emergency.

Common causes of truck accidents include:

Driver Fatigue: Truck drivers often work long hours and may fall asleep at the wheel.
Distracted Driving: Using a GPS, texting, or adjusting radio controls can cause truck drivers to lose focus.
Speeding and Reckless Driving: Commercial trucks require more time to stop, making speeding extremely dangerous.
Improper Cargo Loading: Unsecured or unbalanced loads can cause jackknife accidents or rollovers.
Mechanical Failures: Brake failures, tire blowouts, and transmission issues can lead to loss of control.

Trucking companies are legally required to follow safety regulations, but many fail to enforce proper maintenance, rest breaks, and driver training. When negligence occurs, victims have the right to seek compensation.

Table of Contents show

Common Injuries in Polk County Truck Accidents

Truck accidents frequently cause severe or permanent injuries, including:

Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) – Head trauma leading to memory loss, cognitive impairments, or long-term disability.
Spinal Cord Injuries and Paralysis – Injuries that may require extensive rehabilitation or lifelong medical care.
Broken Bones and Fractures – Common in high-impact crashes, often requiring surgeries and lengthy recovery periods.
Internal Organ Damage – Blunt force trauma can lead to internal bleeding or life-threatening complications.
Severe Burns – In accidents involving fuel spills or fires, victims may suffer third-degree burns requiring skin grafts.

Truck accident injuries often require long-term medical treatment, physical therapy, and ongoing pain management, and in the most tragic cases, they can result in wrongful death—making full compensation essential not only for recovery but also for holding responsible parties accountable.

Who Can Be Held Liable in a Truck Accident?

Unlike typical car accidents, truck accident liability can extend beyond just the driver. Depending on the circumstances of the crash, one or more of the following parties may be responsible:

The Truck Driver: If the accident was caused by driver fatigue, speeding, distracted driving, or impairment.
The Trucking Company: If improper training, negligent hiring, or failure to maintain vehicles contributed to the accident.
Cargo Loaders: If improperly secured cargo caused the truck to jackknife, tip over, or lose control.
Vehicle Manufacturers: If a defective part, such as faulty brakes or steering components, played a role in the crash.
Government Entities: If poor road conditions or inadequate signage were contributing factors.

At Kemp Injury Law, we conduct thorough investigations to identify all responsible parties and maximize your compensation.

Compensation Available After a Truck Accident

If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident in Polk County, you may be entitled to compensation for:

Medical Expenses: Ambulance rides, hospital stays, surgeries, rehabilitation, and ongoing treatment.
Lost Wages: Compensation for time missed at work, as well as future earning potential.
Pain and Suffering: Emotional distress, loss of quality of life, and physical pain.
Property Damage: Repair or replacement of your vehicle.
Wrongful Death Damages: Compensation for families who have lost a loved one in a fatal truck crash.

Insurance companies and trucking companies will often fight to minimize claims, which is why working with an experienced truck accident attorney is crucial.

Other Personal Injury Cases We Handle

In addition to truck accident cases, Kemp Injury Law represents victims in a wide range of personal injury claims, including:

Car Accidents: Collisions involving distracted driving, speeding, and reckless behavior.
Motorcycle Accidents: Serious injuries caused by negligent drivers who fail to yield to motorcyclists.
Boating Accidents: Watercraft collisions, jet ski crashes, and drowning accidents.
Pedestrian Accidents: Hit-and-run cases, crosswalk accidents, and injuries caused by negligent drivers.
Slip and Fall Accidents: Injuries resulting from hazardous conditions in stores, businesses, and public areas.
Bus Accidents: Accidents involving public transportation, school buses, and private charters.

If your injuries were caused by someone else’s negligence, we will fight to hold the responsible parties accountable.

Call Kemp Injury Law to Speak With a Polk County Truck Accident Lawyer Today

Truck accident cases are complex, and trucking companies will often do everything possible to avoid paying fair compensation. At Kemp Injury Law, we fight for victims' rights, ensuring they receive the financial support they need to recover.

If you or a loved one was injured in a semi-truck, big rig, or commercial truck accident, contact our office today for a free consultation to discuss your case.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do after a truck accident in Polk County?

After a truck accident in Polk County, the first thing you should do is call 911 and seek immediate medical attention. Truck accidents often involve serious injuries, and medical documentation is critical for your legal claim. Make sure to get a police report and gather evidence at the scene, including photos, witness information, and details about the commercial truck. Avoid speaking with the trucking company’s insurance representatives without legal counsel. Their goal is often to minimize payouts and shift blame away from their driver. A truck accident attorney can protect your rights, preserve evidence, and begin building your case right away.

How is a truck accident different from a regular car accident?

Truck accidents are often far more complex than car accidents due to the size and weight of the vehicles involved and the regulations that govern the trucking industry. Commercial trucks are subject to federal laws regarding driver hours, load weight, and maintenance, which can influence liability. Injuries tend to be more severe, and insurance policies covering commercial trucks typically involve much higher limits. There may also be multiple parties involved, such as trucking companies, logistics firms, or contractors. Because of this complexity, specialized legal experience is essential. An attorney with truck accident experience can navigate the regulations and fight against powerful corporate insurers.

Can I hold both the driver and the trucking company liable in a claim?

Yes. In Florida, both the truck driver and the trucking company can be held responsible. The driver can be liable personally for negligent driving behaviors like fatigue or speeding. The trucking company may also be vicariously liable under respondeat superior for acts of its employees during work hours. Additionally, the company might bear direct liability for negligent hiring, training, or maintenance practices. Multiple parties may thus be named defendants, increasing opportunities for recovery. A skilled attorney will investigate all potential defendants—driver, company, and possibly cargo loaders or maintenance providers—to ensure full accountability.

How do mandatory hours-of-service rules affect a truck accident case?

Federal hours-of-service (HOS) regulations restrict how long a truck driver can be on the road without required rest. Violations—documented via driver logs or electronic logging devices—can strongly indicate negligence. If an accident occurred due to driver fatigue, showing an HOS violation can make the trucking company and driver liable. Exploring logbooks, maintenance records, and electronic data (e.g., ELDs) can reveal such breaches. Expert testimony on fatigue’s effects may also reinforce the claim. An experienced truck accident lawyer will gather federal compliance records to demonstrate breaches of duty and bolster your compensation claim.

Does Florida law allow punitive damages in truck accident cases?

Punitive damages in Florida are permissible but only in cases where the defendant’s conduct is proven to be grossly negligent, intentional, or reckless. That means simple negligence—even if severe—may not qualify. Examples of qualifying conduct could include knowingly operating dangerous vehicles, extreme violations of safety protocols, or willful non-compliance with safety inspections. If awarded, punitive damages are meant to punish wrongdoers and deter future misconduct beyond compensating victims. Courts require clear and convincing evidence for such claims. An attorney will assess the facts to determine if a punitive damages claim is viable and pursue it when warranted.

Why should I choose Kemp Injury Law for a truck accident case?

At Kemp Injury Law, we bring a deep understanding of both Florida and federal trucking regulations to every case we handle. We have successfully represented truck accident victims throughout Polk County and beyond. Our legal team works quickly to preserve evidence, review driver logs, and hold all responsible parties accountable. We are not intimidated by large trucking companies or their insurers and aggressively pursue the compensation our clients deserve. With a track record of success in complex injury cases, we are prepared to take your case to trial if needed. If you’ve been involved in a truck accident, contact us today to begin your recovery process.

Additional Information in Polk County, Florida

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) – Large Truck and Bus Crash Facts: Detailed annual statistics on crashes involving large trucks and buses in the United States. It includes data on crash frequency, causes, fatalities, injuries, and driver-related factors such as speeding, fatigue, and alcohol use. The report breaks down incidents by vehicle type, geographic location, time of day, and road conditions. It also identifies trends over time, allowing attorneys or investigators to contextualize a specific crash within broader national patterns. In a truck accident case, this data can serve as authoritative evidence to show the likelihood of certain crash causes or the inherent risks of commercial trucking. It may also be used to support claims of negligence or to challenge defenses by comparing individual driver behavior to national averages.

Forbes - How Truck Driver Retention Strategies Impact Safety And Profit: Article explores how high turnover rates in the trucking industry can compromise road safety and affect company profitability. It argues that inexperienced or fatigued drivers, often a result of poor retention strategies, increase the risk of accidents. The piece emphasizes that investing in better work conditions, pay, and training leads to safer and more reliable driving behavior. It highlights that short-term cost-cutting measures in driver management can ultimately result in higher liability and crash-related expenses. In a legal context, this article supports arguments that systemic issues within a trucking company—such as inadequate hiring or training—contributed to the accident. It can be used to broaden liability from the individual driver to the company itself based on business practices.

Florida Statutes – Motor Carrier and Commercial Trucking Laws: Legal definitions relevant to motor vehicles, including classifications for trucks, commercial motor vehicles (CMVs), and trailers. It defines terms like “commercial motor vehicle,” “gross vehicle weight,” and “motor carrier,” which are crucial when interpreting how laws apply to certain vehicles in legal proceedings. The statute also clarifies registration and licensing requirements specific to Florida. These definitions are critical in determining the legal obligations of a trucking company or driver at the time of the accident. In a truck accident case, this statute can help establish whether the truck involved was properly classified, registered, and operated under state law. It can be used to prove statutory violations or bolster arguments related to improper use or licensing.

Polk County
Truck Accident

Attorney