Florida Truck Rollover Accidents
Helping injured Floridians in truck and 18-wheeler rollover accidents from our Miami law offices
According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV)’s annual crash facts report, there were over 8,500 commercial motor vehicle accidents in Miami-Dade County in 2024. These vehicles come in many different shapes and sizes, but some of the most concerning CMV accidents involved large commercial freight vehicles like tractor-trailers.
Truck accidents can happen for a variety of reasons, but rollover accidents are among the most dangerous crash scenarios involving these large vehicles. When a fully loaded commercial truck tips onto its side or flips completely upside-down, the consequences can be severe and the damage overwhelming.
Truck rollover crashes can do serious harm to truck drivers and surrounding motorists, and many survivors of these crashes suffer physical injuries that require intensive medical care or other kinds of intervention. Between the physical harm, emotional trauma, and financial costs associated with these accidents, many survivors are left struggling to meet their most basic needs in the months (or years) following a crash.
Thankfully, there may be legal options available to truck accident survivors to help offset some of these losses, depending on the facts of a case. If you or someone you love was injured in a truck rollover accident in Miami, the team at Hickey Law Firm might be able to help you pursue the compensation you need to move forward. Contact our team to learn more about the civil litigation process and to discuss whether you may have grounds to file a personal injury claim related to a truck rollover accident.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why truck rollover accidents are so dangerous
Truck accidents of all kinds are often more dangerous and damaging than crashes involving standard passenger vehicles. That’s because commercial trucks are much larger and heavier than sedans, SUVs, and even small commercial vans. For example, an empty semi truck can weigh well over 25,000 pounds, and a fully loaded vehicle could weigh as much as 80,000 pounds. In an accident, a vehicle of that scale can wield serious force and do extensive damage in the blink of an eye.
In a rollover truck accident, the size and scale of a large freight vehicle are of particular concern. That’s because these rollover crash scenarios can result in:
- Nearby vehicles being crushed or pinned beneath the truck
- Pile-up accidents and secondary crashes
- Hazardous cargo is being spilled onto the surface of the road
All of these situations can lead to serious and even catastrophic injuries as well as costly damage to vehicles, public property, and transportation infrastructure. Truck rollover accidents are considered disproportionately dangerous as compared to other common truck crash scenarios – especially in major metropolitan areas like Miami.
A truck rollover crash on I-95, for example, could do pervasive damage to several parties and their property in just a fraction of the time it would take for another accident to cause similar harm. This is why it’s so important for truck drivers to do their due diligence in preventing these dangerous accidents by following federal safety regulations and complying with Florida traffic laws.
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Common causes of truck rollover accidents
Some truck accidents are unavoidable, but many others can be linked to a driver's or motor carrier’s negligence. Research suggests that many truck rollover accidents are attributable to preventable causes, which makes these crashes even more upsetting for survivors and their loved ones.
Some of the most commonly reported causes of truck rollover accidents include:
Driver error
Driver control errors are a common cause of truck rollover accidents. If a driver fails to use good judgment behind the wheel and causes an accident, they could be considered liable for negligence-related damages.
- Speeding – particularly around curves or on ramps
- Making sharp turns
- Sudden braking or overcorrection
- Distracted driving
- Driving under the influence
- Driving while drowsy or fatigued
When drivers are overworked or fatigued, they can get distracted or experience lapses in judgment. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) mandates strict hours-of-service (HOS) limits for truck drivers to mitigate some of this harm, but drivers and their employers must do their part by following the rules and making decisions that make safety the number one priority.
Improperly loaded cargo
Commercial freight vehicles are often tasked with hauling multiple tons of cargo. The way these materials are loaded and secured can play a major role in a truck’s safety and stability. This is a particularly important consideration in rollover accidents, as many of these crashes are caused by instability or an uneven distribution of a truck's weight and momentum.
The FMCSA has very particular rules and regulations related to the loading and securing of cargo. For example, cargo should be properly distributed and positioned to maintain the vehicle’s stability and prevent unsafe weight imbalances. Cargo items also need to be tied down or otherwise secured in a way that keeps them from shifting during travel. If cargo is poorly distributed or secured, the truck may be more likely to tip over during a quick turn, a corrective maneuver, or a sudden stop.
Mechanical failures
Motor carriers are responsible for properly inspecting and maintaining their vehicles. Even a seemingly minor mechanical issue could result in a serious accident, so it’s absolutely vital that companies keep their fleets in good working order.
Common mechanical problems include brake failures, tire blowouts, and steering or suspension issues that make a truck harder to control. Think about it: If a tire suddenly bursts or a steering system fails, a truck could easily be destabilized, and it could suddenly tip over.
Preventative maintenance is an important part of this process, but it’s equally important for motor carriers to promptly address any known issues with their vehicles. When a maintenance problem causes or contributes to a rollover crash, carriers are often scrutinized for any gaps in their inspection and repair efforts.
Road and weather conditions
Miami locals know that our unique climate and frequent construction efforts can pose their own traffic safety concerns. If roadway hazards or adverse weather conditions contribute to a rollover accident, there are some additional questions that may arise about what precipitated the crash. For example, if a rollover accident occurs in a construction zone with uneven pavement, there may be legitimate concerns about the construction company’s safety planning capabilities or about the city’s oversight of these projects.
If a crash occurs during one of Miami’s sudden downpours or in early-morning fog, survivors may need to get curious about whether the driver and their employer responded appropriately to the conditions and followed all weather-related safety regulations. All of these scenarios require multiple parties to collaborate to ensure the safety of motorists and other community members. If someone fails to exercise reasonable caution when facing a potential safety hazard, they could face claims of liability.
Injuries caused by truck rollover accidents
Due to the force and unpredictability of rollover crashes, victims of these accidents often suffer severe or life-threatening injuries, such as:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Spinal cord injuries
- Paralysis
- Broken bones and fractures
- Crushed limbs
- Internal bleeding and organ damage
- Deep cuts/lacerations
- Extensive internal and external bruising
- Burns
- Toxic chemical exposure
Many of these injuries are catastrophic in nature and may even result in long-term disability. Even individuals who do not suffer permanent injuries in these crashes may go on to experience chronic pain or require rehabilitative interventions like prescription medication regimens and physical therapy.
The costs associated with these injuries can add up quickly and may compound over time. Hospital stays, long-term care, and other associated expenses can exceed survivors’ financial means and become major sources of financial strain and personal distress.
Who can be held liable in a truck rollover accident?
Because of the pervasive harm these accidents cause, many survivors choose to file civil claims for compensation related to their injuries and other losses. Crucially, however, your ability to file a claim will depend on your ability to show that another party’s negligence contributed to your injuries. You must be able to show that another involved party owed you a legal duty of care and caused you identifiable harm by breaching that duty.
In most rollover accidents, personal injury lawyers look at the following parties when considering possible sources of liability:
The truck driver
This is often the first place we look when investigating a rollover accident. If you can show that a driver’s negligence caused the crash or contributed to your injuries, you may be able to hold them accountable for your losses. Negligent behaviors in these cases might look like speeding, driving under the influence, or violating HOS limits, among other things.
You and your legal team will want to look closely at evidence like truck black box data, traffic cams, speed logs, and other employee records to assess whether a driver’s failure to exercise reasonable care directly contributed to your injuries.
The trucking company
Motor carriers have to follow the FMCSA's safety regulations. If a trucking company doesn't comply with established safety regulations and their negligence causes or contributes to a rollover crash, an injured party may be within their rights to pursue a claim for compensation against the motor carrier itself.
If, for example, a trucking company hires an unqualified driver or employs unsafe schedules or delivery deadlines, it could be held liable if its unsafe practices play a role in an accident. What’s more, employers can be held liable for the actions of their employees in some cases, thanks to the legal doctrine of vicarious liability. This is why truck accident lawyers commonly assess the actions of individual drivers and their employers when evaluating a civil truck accident claim.
Cargo loaders, maintenance providers, and truck manufacturers
Some companies outsource their cargo loading workflows to third-party services. Since some rollover accidents are caused by improperly loaded cargo, these entities may share liability for a cargo-related rollover crash. If a third party improperly loaded the truck, they may share liability if their actions contributed to the rollover.
Similarly, some motor carriers contract with outside professionals to inspect, maintain, and repair their vehicles. If an investigation reveals that a crash was caused by poor maintenance or a previously identified mechanical issue, a mechanic or inspector could be held responsible for any damages caused by an equipment failure. The same can be said for truck and parts manufacturers, as these companies may be held liable if a defect in design, manufacturing, or warnings made the product unreasonably dangerous.
Government entities
When a crash involves a government agency, such as a state or local transportation department, or a private contractor working on a public road project, liability questions can get more complicated. Government agencies may have sovereign-immunity protections and special claim requirements, while private contractors may be evaluated under ordinary negligence principles depending on the facts.
In situations where a rollover is linked to poorly maintained roads or unclear signage, survivors may seek to hold responsible government agencies accountable for missing the mark. That’s why many people who find themselves in this position opt to speak with a Miami truck accident lawyer who can help sort out how sovereign immunity might affect a potential claim.
What compensation is available for truck rollover victims?
Truck rollover accidents can be costly. Many survivors need additional support to ensure their needs are met following a crash. In a civil truck accident claim, survivors may be within their rights to fight for a variety of economic and non-economic damages, depending on the nature of their losses.
Economic damages are things like medical bills, long-term care costs, lost wages, and reduced lifetime earning capacity. These damages may function essentially as reimbursement for expenses survivors incur as a direct result of a crash. Clear records of hospital bills, prescription medication refills, therapy session invoices, and other documented expenditures can be used to calculate these damages. Some personal injury lawyers also partner with life-care planners and other experts who can estimate the long-term cost of a survivor’s injuries.
Non-economic damages, on the other hand, are the kinds of things you can’t always see. Emotional trauma, pain and suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life are all common in truck accident cases. Living through a serious crash or enduring painful medical treatments can all impact a survivor’s mental health and lead to serious changes in their lifestyle and functioning in the long-run.
Your truck accident lawyer can help you calculate the full value of your reasonable accident-related losses and work with you to compile the documentation you need to support that valuation. Keep in mind that Florida follows a modified comparative negligence system, so your recovery options may be reduced depending on your level of fault for the crash. Your lawyer can help you push back against unsubstantiated or inflated claims of negligence on your part so you can walk away with an appropriate amount of compensation based on the facts of your case.
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Contact a Miami truck rollover accident lawyer today
Truck rollover accidents can be incredibly scary and trigger a ripple effect of physical, emotional, and financial consequences. When another party’s negligence causes or contributes to one of these crashes, survivors deserve to hold those entities accountable for the harm they caused.
At Hickey Law Firm, we understand the life-altering nature of truck rollover accidents. Because these accidents often involve multiple potential sources of liability, our team is committed to thoroughly investigating all of the factors that may have contributed to a crash and working with clients to build claims that accurately reflect the nature of their losses.
If you or a loved one was injured in a truck rollover accident in Miami and you suspect another person’s negligence may have been to blame, fill out our online contact form or stop by our Miami office at 12150 SW 128th Ct., Suite 225 to speak with a member of our team. We’ll get the facts, talk you through your options, and help you make an informed decision about how to move forward in your fight for accountability.