Florida Truck Accident Lawyer
When a commercial truck hits you, the trucking company's investigators and insurers go to work immediately, protecting them, not you. Attorney Phillip Stamman levels the field, moving fast to preserve evidence and hold every responsible party accountable throughout Florida. Our office is in Panama City Beach.
Truck accidents are not just bigger car accidents
A loaded tractor-trailer can weigh up to 80,000 pounds. When it collides with a passenger vehicle on US-98, Thomas Drive, or Interstate 10, the results are often catastrophic: spinal injuries, traumatic brain injuries, multiple fractures, and wrongful death. These cases also carry a layer of complexity that ordinary car accidents do not.
Commercial carriers are regulated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), and the most important evidence, the truck's electronic logging device (ELD), the event data recorder ("black box"), driver hours-of-service logs, maintenance records, and dash-cam footage, is controlled by the very company you are making a claim against. That evidence can be lawfully overwritten in a matter of days or weeks. Acting quickly is everything.
Why fast, hands-on representation matters in Florida
Florida's major corridors see heavy commercial traffic year-round: freight on Highway 98 and Back Beach Road near our Panama City Beach office, delivery trucks serving tourism corridors statewide, and long-haul carriers on I-10 and I-75. As a solo attorney, Phillip Stamman gives every truck case his personal attention from day one. You will never be handed off to a paralegal or a call center, and Phillip's background as a former State Attorney prosecutor means he understands how to build and pressure-test a case the way the other side will.
How a truck accident claim works
We start by sending a spoliation letter to preserve the truck's data and records, then investigate liability across every potentially responsible party. We document your injuries and future medical needs, deal directly with the carrier's insurers so you don't have to, and pursue a full recovery, through settlement when possible and through litigation when necessary.
Types of truck accident cases we handle
18-Wheeler & Semi-Truck Crashes
Fully loaded tractor-trailers can weigh 20–30 times more than a passenger car. We handle the catastrophic-injury cases these crashes cause on US-98, Back Beach Road and I-10.
Delivery & Box Truck Accidents
Amazon, freight and commercial delivery vehicles are on Florida roads year-round. We pursue the driver and the company behind them.
Underride & Rollover Collisions
Some of the deadliest truck crashes. We work with reconstruction experts to show exactly how the wreck happened.
Fatigued & Distracted Drivers
Hours-of-service violations and logbook fraud are common. We subpoena ELD data before it can be overwritten.
Improper Loading & Maintenance
Overloaded or poorly secured cargo and skipped maintenance shift liability to the carrier and maintenance contractors.
Multiple Liable Parties
Driver, trucking company, broker, cargo loader and insurer can all share fault. We identify every source of recovery.
Frequently asked questions
What makes a truck accident case different from a car accident?
Commercial truck cases are governed by Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations, involve far larger insurance policies, and almost always include multiple potentially liable parties: the driver, the trucking company, the cargo loader, and maintenance providers. Evidence such as the truck's electronic logging device (ELD), 'black box' event data recorder, and driver hours-of-service logs can be overwritten or lost within days, so it is critical to involve a lawyer quickly.
How long do I have to file a truck accident claim in Florida?
Florida's statute of limitations for most negligence-based personal injury claims is two years from the date of the accident (for crashes occurring after March 24, 2023). Wrongful death claims also generally carry a two-year deadline. Because evidence disappears quickly in truck cases, you should not wait until the deadline approaches to seek legal help.
Who can be held responsible for a commercial truck crash?
Liability may extend well beyond the driver. Depending on the facts, responsible parties can include the trucking company (for negligent hiring, training, or supervision), the company that loaded the cargo, a maintenance contractor, the truck or parts manufacturer, and the carrier's insurer. Identifying every liable party is essential to recovering full compensation.
What should I do after a truck accident in Florida?
Call 911 and get medical attention, document the scene with photos if you can, get the truck's DOT number and the driver's information, identify witnesses, and avoid giving a recorded statement to the trucking company's insurer before speaking with a lawyer. Then contact an attorney quickly so evidence like the ELD and black-box data can be preserved.
How much does a truck accident lawyer cost?
Phillip Stamman handles truck and personal injury cases on a contingency-fee basis, which means there is no upfront cost and no attorney fee unless he recovers compensation for you. The initial consultation is always free.