St. Petersburg Truck Accident Lawyer

A collision with a commercial truck can change life in an instant. The injuries are often severe, the financial pressure begins immediately, and the stress of dealing with insurance companies can feel overwhelming.  

We understand how heavy this moment is. Beyond the physical injuries, you are uncertain about your future, work, and your family’s well-being. However, that burden does not have to be yours to carry alone when you have a seasoned truck accident lawyer by your side.

Maranatha Law is here to guide you through this difficult time. With experience handling complex trucking cases across Florida, we take on the fight with insurance companies so you can focus on healing. Our role is to protect your rights, pursue full compensation, and give you peace of mind.

Who Can Be Held Liable in a Truck Crash?

Truck accidents often involve more than just the driver behind the wheel. Depending on what caused the collision, several different parties may share responsibility. A strong case requires identifying each one so that no source of compensation is overlooked.

The Truck Driver

Truck drivers can be held liable when their actions directly cause a crash. Their negligent behavior may include speeding, driving while distracted by a phone, or driving while under the influence. Federal and state laws set clear safety rules for drivers, and violations of those rules can form the basis of accountability.

The Trucking Company

Trucking companies are often responsible for their employee-drivers’ actions, but their liability can extend further. Some companies cut corners by skipping safety inspections, overloading drivers with deliveries, or failing to train their employees properly.

When a company values profit over safety, it can create dangerous conditions, directly contributing to accidents.

Maintenance Providers

Many trucking companies rely on outside businesses to inspect, service, and repair their fleets. If a maintenance provider fails to notice worn brakes, faulty tires, or other mechanical issues, those problems can lead to devastating crashes. In these cases, the maintenance provider may be liable for negligence in performing their work.

Cargo Loaders

Improperly loaded or unsecured cargo is a significant hazard on Florida highways. When freight shifts inside a trailer, the truck can become unstable, jackknife, or spill debris onto the road.

Cargo loaders are required to follow specific weight distribution and securement standards. If they fail to do so, they may share liability for the accident.

Vehicle or Parts Manufacturers

Sometimes the root cause of a trucking crash is a defective part. A brake system that fails, a tire that blows out, or a coupling mechanism that disconnects unexpectedly can all trigger catastrophic accidents. In those situations, the manufacturer of the defective part—or even the company that designed it—may be held legally responsible.

What Compensation Can You Recover After a Truck Accident?

Because Florida is a no-fault state, truck crash victims usually begin with their own PIP insurance. However, when injuries are severe, as they often are in trucking collisions, you can step outside of no-fault and pursue a claim directly against those responsible.

Florida law allows truck accident victims to pursue compensation for damages sustained in the accident. Depending on your circumstances, recovery may include compensation for:

• Emergency treatment,
• Hospitalization,
• Surgery,
• Rehabilitation,
• Medications,
• Long-term medical care,
• Lost wages and reduced earning ability,
• Pain and suffering damages,
• Loss of enjoyment of life,
• Costs for mobility devices or home modifications, and
• Vehicle repair or replacement.

For families who lose a loved one in a trucking crash, wrongful death claims may allow recovery for:

• Funeral and burial expenses,
• Loss of financial support,
• Emotional distress, and
• Loss of companionship and parental guidance.

Because Florida places a two-year statute of limitations on most injury and wrongful death claims, it is critical to act quickly. Evidence can disappear, memories fade, and records may be destroyed if legal steps are not taken in time.

What If I Am Also at Fault?

Florida follows a modified comparative negligence law. Contributory fault does not bar you from recovery. But it can reduce the amount you can receive. And, if you are more than 50% at fault, you’re barred from any recovery at all.

Under this rule, the court assigns a percentage of fault to each party involved in the accident. That percentage then reduces any compensation awarded. For example, if you are determined to be 20% responsible for the crash and awarded $100,000, your recovery would be reduced to $80,000. However, if you are found to be 60% at fault, you are barred from recovering damages.

Because insurance companies often attempt to assign greater blame to injured drivers, it is essential to have experienced legal representation. At Maranatha Law, we carefully investigate the facts, preserve key evidence, and advocate for fault to be allocated fairly so that your right to compensation is protected.

How a Truck Accident Attorney in St. Petersburg Can Help

Trucking companies and their insurers move fast after a crash. Their goal is simple: limit payouts. They may contact you within hours, record your statements, or offer a tempting settlement that is worth far less than your case.

Having a truck accident lawyer on your side levels the playing field. At Maranatha Law, we:

• Investigate and gather all relevant evidence,
• Work with medical professionals and accident reconstruction experts,
• Handle all communication and negotiations with insurers,
• Calculate the full value of your damages, and
• Prepare every case as if it will go to trial.

This preparation puts us in the strongest position to negotiate a fair settlement. If insurers refuse, we are ready to fight in court to hold them accountable.

Call a St. Petersburg Truck Crash Lawyer Today

When you are recovering from a truck crash, you need a truck accident attorney who understands the challenges ahead and is ready to fight for you. At Maranatha Law, every case is handled personally by founding attorney Tim Shanahan. Tim has been representing injured Floridians for ten years.

We are not a high-volume practice where clients get lost in the shuffle. Instead, we focus on clear communication, detailed investigation, and early trial-ready preparation. Our goal is simple: to protect your rights, guide you toward justice and the compensation you deserve, and give you confidence to know someone is in your corner.

If you or a loved one has been hurt in a trucking collision, do not wait. Contact Maranatha Law today to speak with a dedicated St. Petersburg 18-wheeler accident lawyer.