Hit by a Truck in Tampa?
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Key Takeaways
- Call 911 immediately and do not leave the scene — truck accidents produce devastating injuries due to the weight difference between an 80,000-pound semi and a passenger vehicle, and Florida law (Fla. Stat. § 316.062) makes leaving the scene of an injury accident a felony.
- Florida's statute of limitations for personal injury is 2 years from the date of the accident (Fla. Stat. § 95.11(3)(a)), and for wrongful death it is 2 years from the date of death (Fla. Stat. § 95.11(4)(d)) — both reduced from four years by HB 837 in 2023.
- Under Florida's modified comparative negligence rule (Fla. Stat. § 768.81(6)), if you are found 51% or more at fault you recover nothing — and trucking companies will aggressively argue shared fault to reduce or eliminate your claim.
- Hillsborough County sees 2,500–3,000 truck and commercial vehicle crashes per year, with heavy freight traffic from Port Tampa Bay and along I-75, I-4, and US-301 contributing to the risk.
- Do not give a recorded statement to the trucking company's insurance carrier — their goal is to minimize the company's liability, not to help you, and anything you say can be used to reduce your claim.
- Initial consultations with truck accident attorneys are free and most work on contingency, meaning you pay nothing unless they win — and early legal help is critical to send a spoliation letter preserving the truck's black box data and driver logs before they are overwritten.
Check for injuries and call 911 immediately
Truck accidents produce devastating injuries. The weight difference between an 80,000-pound semi-truck and a 4,000-pound passenger vehicle means the occupants of the smaller vehicle absorb nearly all of the force. Broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, and internal organ injuries are common.
Call 911 even if you think your injuries are minor. Under Florida law, any accident involving injury, death, or $500+ in property damage must be reported to law enforcement. For truck accidents on Tampa-area interstates and highways — I-75, I-4, I-275, the Selmon Expressway, or the Veterans Expressway — the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) will typically respond and investigate. For crashes on local roads, the Tampa Police Department (TPD) or Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office (HCSO) will handle the investigation.
A truck accident investigation is more complex than a standard car crash. The responding officers may call a specialized commercial vehicle investigation team, especially if the crash involves fatalities or hazardous materials.
Move to safety — but stay at the scene
If you are able to move, get yourself and your passengers to a safe location away from traffic and the truck. Semi-trucks can carry flammable cargo, and post-crash fires and leaks are a real danger. Move at least 100 feet from the wreck if possible.
Tampa's major freight corridors — I-75, I-4, US-301, and Causeway Boulevard near the Port of Tampa — carry enormous volumes of commercial truck traffic daily. Port Tampa Bay is one of Florida's busiest ports, generating constant heavy truck movement through the east Tampa industrial corridor and surrounding roadways.
Do not leave the scene. Under Florida law (Fla. Stat. § 316.062), leaving the scene of an accident involving injury is a felony.
Document everything — this is critical in truck cases
Truck accident cases involve more parties, more insurance, and more evidence than a typical car crash. Your documentation at the scene can make or break your case.
Photograph everything: the truck (including the cab, trailer, license plates, USDOT number, and company name on the door), all vehicles involved, the road and intersection, skid marks, debris, traffic signals, weather conditions, and any visible injuries.
Write down or photograph the truck driver's name, phone number, and driver's license number, the trucking company name (on the truck door or trailer), the USDOT number and MC number (displayed on the truck), insurance information, and witness names and phone numbers.
The USDOT number is critical — it allows investigators to pull the trucking company's federal safety record, including past violations, out-of-service orders, and inspection history through the FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration) database.
File a crash report and preserve evidence
If law enforcement responded, they'll generate a crash report. If they didn't, file a written report with the FLHSMV within 10 days. Request your crash report through the Florida Crash Portal at flcrashportal.com.
In truck accident cases, evidence preservation is urgent. Trucking companies have legal teams that deploy within hours of a serious crash. The truck's electronic logging device (ELD), black box data, dashcam footage, driver logs, inspection records, and cargo manifests can all be critical evidence — and the trucking company controls all of it.
If you have an attorney, they can send a spoliation letter to the trucking company demanding that all evidence be preserved before it's overwritten or destroyed. This is one of the most important reasons to consult an attorney quickly after a truck accident.
Get medical treatment within 14 days — Florida's PIP deadline
Under Florida's no-fault insurance system, you must seek medical treatment within 14 days of the accident to qualify for PIP benefits (Fla. Stat. § 627.736). PIP covers your initial medical expenses up to $10,000, regardless of fault.
For serious truck accident injuries, Tampa General Hospital on Davis Islands operates the region's only Level I trauma center and is equipped to handle the most severe injuries, including traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, and major burns. St. Joseph's Hospital, AdventHealth Tampa, and James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital also provide advanced trauma and surgical care.
Truck accident injuries are often severe and require extended treatment — surgeries, rehabilitation, ongoing therapy. Keep every medical record, receipt, and bill. These documents form the foundation of your claim for damages.
Understand who may be liable
Truck accident liability is far more complex than a standard car crash. Multiple parties may share responsibility.
The truck driver — for fatigue, distraction, impairment, speeding, or other negligent driving. The trucking company — for negligent hiring, inadequate training, pressure to violate hours-of-service rules, or poor vehicle maintenance. The cargo loader — for improperly secured or overweight loads. The truck manufacturer or parts supplier — for defective brakes, tires, or other components. A maintenance company — for negligent repairs or inspections. A government entity — for dangerous road conditions or inadequate signage.
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) govern everything from how many hours a truck driver can drive (11 hours within a 14-hour window, followed by a mandatory 10-hour break) to vehicle maintenance standards and cargo securement. Violations of these federal rules can be powerful evidence of negligence.
Know Florida's 2-year statute of limitations
Under Fla. Stat. § 95.11(3)(a), you have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. This deadline was reduced from four years by HB 837 (March 2023). For wrongful death claims — tragically common in truck accidents — the deadline is also two years from the date of death (Fla. Stat. § 95.11(4)(d)).
Do not wait. Truck accident cases require extensive investigation, expert analysis, and evidence preservation. Starting early gives your legal team the best chance of building a strong case.
Florida's modified comparative negligence rule (Fla. Stat. § 768.81(6)) also applies: if you are found 51% or more at fault, you recover nothing. The trucking company's lawyers will aggressively argue shared fault to reduce or eliminate your claim.
Consult a personal injury attorney — truck cases require one
Truck accident cases are not DIY claims. The trucking company, its insurer, and often a corporate legal team will be working to minimize your recovery from the moment the crash happens. Trucking companies carry $1 million to $5 million or more in insurance coverage — and their carriers fight hard to protect that money.
An experienced truck accident attorney can issue a spoliation letter to preserve critical evidence, investigate the driver's hours-of-service compliance and safety record, hire accident reconstruction experts, identify all liable parties, and negotiate with commercial insurance carriers who specialize in denying and delaying claims.
Initial consultations are free, and most PI attorneys work on contingency — you pay nothing unless they win your case.