Florida Truck Accident Lawyer

In addition to my legal background, I served in the U.S. Army’s elite 3rd Ranger Battalion, where I trained and served not only as an Airborne Ranger, but I was also trained through the Army as an EMT. This medical experience helps me understand complex injury patterns, interpret medical imaging, and communicate effectively with orthopedic surgeons, neurosurgeons, pain management physicians and trauma physicians. When representing truck accident victims, knowing the medicine is as critical as knowing the law.

Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Florida

Truck accidents often occur due to negligence by drivers, trucking companies, or vehicle maintenance providers. Common causes include:

• Driver fatigue — violations of federal Hours-of-Service (HOS) rules
• Speeding or aggressive driving to meet delivery deadlines
• Distracted driving — phones, dispatch devices, GPS systems
• Improper truck maintenance — brakes, tires, steering, or coupling failures
• Overloaded or improperly secured cargo
• Drunk or drug-impaired commercial drivers
• Negligent hiring or inadequate driver training
• Mechanical failure due to ignored safety inspections

Commercial truck crashes require immediate investigation, preservation of black-box data, collection of driver logs, and securing of company safety records—steps we take from day one.

Understanding Liability in Florida Truck Accident Cases

Truck accident cases differ significantly from standard auto-accident claims. Multiple parties may be legally responsible, including:

• The truck driver
• The trucking company or motor carrier
• Loaders or cargo brokers
• Vehicle maintenance contractors
• The truck manufacturer (in defect cases)
• Third-party logistics companies (3PLs)

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations also apply in most cases, covering logbooks, sleep hours, inspections, weight limits, training, and drug/alcohol testing. Violations of these safety rules often strengthen liability claims.

How We Build Strong Truck Accident Cases

Truck accident litigation requires aggressive, immediate action. Our team prepares every case as if it will go to trial, leveraging both my former insurance-defense experience and my EMT medical background.

1. Rapid evidence preservation — obtaining black-box (ECM) data, electronic logs, maintenance records, and dash-cam footage.
2. Scene investigation — skid marks, debris fields, gouge marks, and impact analysis.
3. Driver background checks — training history, DOT violations, and disciplinary records.
4. Expert coordination — accident reconstruction experts, trucking-industry experts, orthopedic and neurological specialists.
5. Medical documentation — I work closely with my clients treating physicians to prove the severity and permanence of injuries.
6. Corporate liability analysis — evaluating hiring practices, safety records, and regulatory compliance.
7. Trial readiness — Attorney Christian Van Riper, a former prosecutor, and Tim Nies a former insurance company trial attorney bring outstanding courtroom abilities to every litigated case.

Common Injuries in Truck Accident Cases

Trucking crashes cause some of the most severe injuries we see in Florida:

• Cervical and lumbar herniated discs
• Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
• Spinal cord injuries
• Fractures and orthopedic trauma
• Internal organ damage
• Severe scarring and disfigurement
• Traumatic amputations
• Wrongful death

These cases often involve long-term medical care, lost earning capacity, and significant pain and suffering—making it critical to work with a law firm experienced in presenting complex damages.

Why Choose Tim Nies and Christian Van Riper?

• Decades of personal injury and accident law experience.
• Former insurance-defense attorney — I know how trucking companies defend these cases.
• Army Ranger veteran and EMT — strong understanding of trauma and medicine.
• We are a veteran owned personal injury law firm.
• Extensive experience handling catastrophic trucking and commercial-vehicle cases.
• Former prosecutor (Christian Van Riper) provides powerful trial advocacy.
• Direct communication: we prepare clients thoroughly for each case event.
• Serving Palm Beach, Martin, St. Lucie, and Broward Counties.
• No fee unless we win — we advance all costs and only get paid if we recover for you.

Personal Injury Office Locations & Contact Information

Contact us for a free consultation at any of our South Florida offices: