A crash with a commercial truck isn’t like other accidents. It’s louder. Bigger. More violent. When a semi-truck collides with a passenger car on I-175, Gandy Boulevard, or along US-19, it can leave twisted metal and shattered lives in its wake.
If a negligent truck driver injured you or a loved one, you may be trying to make sense of what happened and what comes next. A St. Petersburg truck accident lawyer with Roman Austin can help you. We will listen to your experience, answer your questions, and explore your legal options.
The truth is, truck accidents in St. Petersburg aren’t just accidents. They’re almost always the result of preventable errors: overworked and fatigued drivers, neglected safety checks, poor maintenance, companies that put profits over people, and other careless actions.
Call us today at (727) 787-2500 for a free consultation. Don’t spend another day worrying about unpaid medical bills, missed work, or what the future holds. You deserve answers, maximum compensation, and a clear path forward.
Why Choose Roman Austin for Your Truck Accident Case?
Choosing the right lawyer after a truck accident isn’t just about qualifications. It’s about finding someone who will stand with you, fight for you, and make sure no one takes advantage of your situation. At Roman Austin, that’s exactly what we do.
Board Certified Civil Trial Law Representation
Our firm includes a Board Certified Civil Trial Lawyer, a distinction held by less than 2% of all attorneys in Florida. This certification recognizes extensive courtroom experience, trial success, and a commitment to personal injury law.
Results That Speak for Themselves
We’ve recovered over $200 million for clients throughout St. Petersburg and beyond. This includes multimillion-dollar verdicts and settlements in complex truck accident cases. Our results reflect our dedication, strategy, and relentless pursuit of justice.
A Team That Knows the Insurance Industry
Two of our attorneys are former insurance defense lawyers. We’ve seen the tactics insurance companies use to deny or minimize valid claims, and we know how to beat them.
Dedicated Support with a Low Caseload
We keep our caseload intentionally low so we can give every client the attention they deserve. From your first phone call through the final settlement or verdict, you’ll work with a team that knows your story and fights for your future.
Local Experience in St. Petersburg and Pinellas County
Our team has represented accident victims throughout St. Petersburg, Clearwater, and the greater Tampa Bay area for decades. We know the roads. We know the court system. And we know what it takes to get results here.
No Upfront Fees, Ever
We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you don’t pay anything for our services unless we recover compensation for you. No retainers. No hourly rates. Just results. That way, your ability to seek justice doesn’t depend on your financial situation.
Key Takeaways
- Truck accidents in St. Petersburg are on the rise, especially in high-traffic areas like I-275 and US-19.
- Florida reported over 40,000 commercial truck crashes in 2023, posing serious risks to passenger vehicle occupants.
- Driver fatigue, distracted driving, and improper maintenance are common causes of truck accidents.
- Multiple parties may often be held liable for a single truck accident.
- Truck accident claims require experience, resources, and in-depth investigation to be successful.
- Roman Austin’s team has recovered millions for truck accident victims across Florida.
- Contact us for a free consultation. We work on a contingency fee basis, so you pay nothing unless we win.
Commercial Truck Accidents in Florida, Pinellas County & St. Petersburg
Truck crashes aren’t occasional incidents. On Florida’s roads and highways, they’re alarmingly common. Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles recorded over 40,000 crashes involving commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in one recent year. These collisions led to thousands of injuries and hundreds of fatalities. While trucks only make up a small percentage of vehicles on the road, they account for roughly 6% of all motor vehicle crash deaths statewide.
In Pinellas County, home to St. Petersburg, truck accidents remain a constant threat. Local crash reports showed 14,891 total traffic collisions in 2023, including an estimated 890 crashes involving large trucks. Given the city’s busy highways and growing population, these numbers reflect a serious safety issue for everyday drivers and their families.
We see the effects of these crashes every day. And when victims come to us, it’s not just about their injuries; it’s about everything they’ve lost. That’s why our team works hard to hold negligent trucking companies, drivers, and insurers accountable.
What to Do After a Truck Accident in St. Petersburg
If you’ve already received medical attention for your injuries, you’ve taken an essential first step. But protecting your legal rights also requires immediate action.
Trucking companies and their insurers start building a defense before the accident scene even clears. The longer you wait to hire an experienced truck accident lawyer, the more opportunity you give them to challenge your case.
Here’s what else you can do to support your truck accident claim:
- Hire a truck accident lawyer right away to preserve evidence, deal with insurance companies, and guide you through the legal process.
- Follow all medical treatments and appointments, even if you feel “better.” Insurance companies may use gaps in your medical record to downplay your injuries.
- Document your recovery—write or video journal how the injuries are affecting your daily life, pain levels, and emotional well-being.
- Save everything—medical bills, out-of-pocket receipts, time off work, and any communication with the trucking company or insurers.
Taking these steps early gives your legal team the foundation they need to fight back and puts you in the strongest position to demand full compensation.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents in St. Petersburg
After a truck crash in St. Petersburg, victims are left asking, “How could this happen?” The truth is, many truck accidents trace back to the same handful of risky behaviors, some of which happen long before the truck hits the road. Common truck accident causes include:
Driver fatigue
Federal regulations limit how long drivers can stay on the road without a break. Still, some trucking companies pressure drivers to meet tight deadlines, resulting in dangerously long hours. Drowsy drivers are slower to react and more likely to make critical errors.
Distracted driving
Using a phone, eating, or checking a GPS behind the wheel may seem minor, but for a truck driver, even a moment of distraction can have devastating consequences. Studies published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) show truck drivers are 23 times more likely to crash when distracted.
Speeding and aggressive driving
Large trucks need far more time and distance to stop than passenger cars. Speeding increases this gap and makes it nearly impossible to avoid a collision in heavy traffic. Speeding is also a factor in nearly one-third of fatal truck crashes, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).
Improper loading or maintenance
Cargo that shifts during transport or poorly maintained brakes can make a truck harder to control. In some cases, these issues trace back to the company responsible for maintaining the truck or loading the freight.
Driver inexperience or unfamiliarity with the road
Inexperienced truck drivers or those unfamiliar with local roads are more likely to make poor decisions at intersections, merge unsafely, or fail to yield in residential areas.
Most Dangerous Places in St. Petersburg for Truck Accidents
St. Petersburg’s dense urban layout and growing traffic congestion create risk zones where truck accidents happen more frequently. Based on local crash data and community reports, these areas pose particular danger:
- I-275 and Gandy Boulevard – Heavy truck traffic and fast-moving vehicles increase the likelihood of high-speed collisions.
- US-19 near 38th Avenue North – This commercial corridor sees frequent merging and lane changes, often resulting in rear-end or side-impact crashes.
- 4th Street North and 22nd Avenue – High pedestrian activity and delivery traffic make intersections more complex for large vehicles.
- Central Avenue downtown – Tight lanes, city buses, and delivery trucks create a perfect storm for accidents in this bustling area.
If your accident happened in one of these locations, there may be surveillance footage or prior incident reports that can support your claim. A local law firm like Roman Austin knows how to get that evidence and how to use it effectively.
Who Can Be Held Liable in a Truck Accident Case in Florida?
One of the most complex parts of a truck accident claim is determining who’s legally responsible. In many cases, more than one party may share the blame. That’s why these claims require detailed investigation and legal strategy.
Here are some of the potentially liable parties in a truck accident:
- The truck driver, especially if they were speeding, distracted, or driving while fatigued
- The trucking company, if it failed to train the driver, pushed unsafe schedules, or ignored maintenance issues
- A third-party maintenance provider, if faulty brakes or mechanical issues contributed to the crash
- The cargo loader, if the freight was improperly loaded or unsecured
- Another driver, if they acted recklessly around the truck and triggered the crash
- A parts manufacturer, if a defective component (like tires or brakes) played a role
At Roman Austin, we leave no stone unturned. We collaborate with accident reconstructionists, industry experts, and investigators to find the truth—and to hold every negligent party accountable.
What Compensation Can You Recover After a St. Petersburg Truck Accident?
Commercial truck accidents often result in catastrophic injuries, not only physically, but also financially and emotionally. Many victims require long-term care or are unable to return to their previous work. However serious your injuries are, obtaining full and fair compensation is essential to your recovery and your future.
At Roman Austin, we fight for compensation that covers every aspect of your recovery, including:
- Medical expenses, from emergency care to surgeries and rehabilitation
- Future medical treatment, including physical therapy or long-term care
- Lost wages, including past income and reduced future earning capacity
- Property damage, such as vehicle repair or replacement
- Pain and suffering, both physical and emotional
- Loss of enjoyment of life, if your injuries affect your daily routines or relationships
- Disfigurement or disability, particularly in cases of spinal cord injuries, amputations, or traumatic brain injuries
- Wrongful death, including funeral costs and loss of financial support if you lost a loved one
We also work with economists and medical experts to calculate your damages thoroughly, especially when the crash caused permanent or life-altering harm.
Florida’s No-Fault Rules and Serious Injury Threshold
Florida follows a “no-fault” auto insurance system, which means your own insurance policy pays for certain damages after a crash, no matter who caused it. But there’s a catch: you can only step outside the no-fault system and pursue a claim against the at-fault party if your injuries meet Florida’s serious injury threshold.
You may qualify to file a personal injury lawsuit if you experienced:
- Permanent injury
- Significant or permanent loss of a bodily function
- Significant or permanent disfigurement or scarring
- Death (in cases of wrongful death)
These rules are outlined under Florida Statutes § 627.737. Even if your injuries seem moderate, a fracture or lingering nerve damage may be enough to meet the threshold. An experienced truck accident attorney with Roman Austin will help you gather medical evidence and push back if insurers argue your injuries aren’t “serious enough.”
How Long Do You Have to File a Truck Accident Lawsuit in Florida?
Florida’s statute of limitations for personal injury allows truck accident victims two years from the accident date to file a lawsuit in most cases. For cases involving wrongful death, the same two-year limit applies, starting from the date of death.
This deadline may seem far off, but investigations into truck crashes take time. You’ll need to reach maximum medical improvement (MMI) before understanding the full scope of your damages. In the meantime, the trucking company may be working hard to avoid liability.
Don’t wait. Once the deadline passes, you lose the right to seek compensation, regardless of how strong your case is. Our St. Petersburg truck accident lawyers will ensure that your case meets all the applicable deadlines.
Frequently Asked Questions About Truck Accidents in St. Petersburg
What is the average settlement for a truck accident case in St. Petersburg?
There is no fixed amount for a truck accident settlement. Compensation depends on your medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and how the injuries have impacted your life. Some cases settle for thousands, others for millions. A lawyer can give you a clearer picture after reviewing the facts.
What if I was partially at fault for the truck accident?
Florida follows a modified comparative negligence rule. If you are found to be more than 50% responsible, you may be barred from recovering damages. But if your share of fault is 50% or less, your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault. This is why it’s important to never assume fault. Let your lawyer assess the facts.
How much does it cost to hire a truck accident lawyer?
At Roman Austin, we work on a contingency fee basis. This means you don’t pay anything upfront. We only get paid if we win your case. Our fee is a percentage of the final recovery, and you’ll never owe anything out of pocket.
What evidence is important for a truck accident claim?
Truck accident cases often rely on specific forms of evidence, such as driver logs, black box data, maintenance records, and employment documents, which the trucking company often controls. That’s why hiring a lawyer early is critical; they can send preservation letters and ensure that vital evidence isn’t lost or destroyed.
What’s the difference between a truck accident and a car accident claim?
Truck accident claims tend to be more complex due to federal trucking regulations, multiple potentially liable parties, and higher insurance coverage limits. They also involve specialized evidence, which makes experienced legal representation even more important.
Call Our Team of Trusted St. Petersburg Truck Accident Lawyers
After decades of helping people recover from serious truck accidents, you start to see patterns—not just in how crashes happen, but in how they affect people. We’ve sat across the table from parents who lost a child, workers who can’t return to their jobs, and families trying to keep it together while the bills keep coming. When you see that kind of hardship frequently, it stays with you.
We care because we’ve seen the real impact these cases have. We see our own families and friends in our clients. That’s why we believe everyone deserves someone in their corner who is fully committed to doing what’s right, even when the process is hard.
Call Roman Austin at (727) 787-2500 today to speak with a St. Petersburg truck accident lawyer. You can also contact us online. We’re available 24/7 to help you take the next step toward justice and one step closer to the compensation you need to move forward with confidence.