A fatal truck accident is one of the most devastating events a family can experience. The sudden loss of a loved one leaves emotional wounds that may never fully heal — while medical bills, funeral expenses, and lost income create overwhelming financial pressure.
In Florida, commercial truck accidents are often catastrophic due to the size and weight of tractor-trailers and other large vehicles. When a fatal crash is caused by negligence, surviving families have the right to pursue justice through a wrongful death claim.
At Moore Payne Law, Attorneys Geoff Moore and Spencer Payne represent families across Florida who have lost loved ones in preventable trucking accidents. Their mission is to hold negligent drivers, trucking companies, and corporations accountable while helping families secure the financial support they need to move forward.
Why Truck Accidents Are Often Fatal
Commercial trucks can weigh up to 80,000 pounds — far more than passenger vehicles. When a collision occurs, the force involved often leads to catastrophic or fatal injuries.
Common factors that contribute to deadly truck accidents include:
- Driver fatigue due to excessive hours
- Distracted driving, including phone use or GPS
- Speeding or aggressive driving
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Improperly loaded or overloaded cargo
- Mechanical failures such as faulty brakes or tires
- Poor vehicle maintenance
- Inadequate driver training
Many of these issues are preventable and stem from corporate pressure to prioritize delivery schedules over safety.
What Is a Wrongful Death Claim in Florida?
Under Florida law, a wrongful death occurs when a person dies due to the negligence, recklessness, or wrongful act of another party. These claims are governed by the Florida Wrongful Death Act.
A wrongful death lawsuit seeks to:
- Hold responsible parties legally accountable
- Provide financial compensation to surviving family members
- Acknowledge the full impact of the loss
In truck accident cases, wrongful death claims are often more complex due to the number of potentially liable parties involved.
Who Can Be Held Liable in a Fatal Truck Accident
Unlike standard car crashes, truck accidents often involve multiple defendants. Depending on the circumstances, liability may extend to:
- The truck driver
- The trucking company or employer
- Vehicle maintenance contractors
- Cargo loading companies
- Truck or parts manufacturers
- Brokers or logistics companies
Moore Payne Law conducts thorough investigations to identify every responsible party and pursue compensation from all available sources.
Common Forms of Trucking Negligence
Fatal truck accidents often involve violations of federal and state safety regulations. Common examples include:
- Violations of hours-of-service rules
- Failure to conduct required vehicle inspections
- Use of unqualified or poorly trained drivers
- Pressuring drivers to meet unrealistic deadlines
- Ignoring known mechanical issues
- Failure to comply with FMCSA regulations
Trucking companies are required to follow strict safety standards. When they fail to do so, families have the right to demand accountability.
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim in Florida
In Florida, a wrongful death claim must be filed by the personal representative of the deceased person’s estate. The claim is brought on behalf of surviving family members, which may include:
Moore Payne Law helps families navigate this legal process and ensures that all eligible survivors are properly represented.
Damages Available in Truck Accident Wrongful Death Cases
Compensation in wrongful death cases is designed to address both economic and non-economic losses.
Families may be entitled to recover damages for:
- Medical expenses related to the fatal injury
- Funeral and burial costs
- Loss of financial support and future income
- Loss of companionship, protection, and guidance
- Mental pain and suffering of surviving family members
- Loss of parental guidance for surviving children
In some cases, the estate may also recover damages for the pain and suffering experienced by the deceased prior to death.
Challenges in Truck Accident Wrongful Death Claims
Trucking companies and their insurers often act quickly after a fatal crash — not to help families, but to protect themselves.
Common tactics include:
- Rapid evidence collection to control the narrative
- Pressuring families into early settlements
- Disputing liability or shifting blame
- Withholding critical records
Moore Payne Law moves quickly to preserve key evidence such as:
- Driver logs and electronic logging device (ELD) data
- Black box and GPS data
- Maintenance and inspection records
- Dispatch communications
- Surveillance footage and accident scene evidence
Early legal intervention is critical in these cases.
How Moore Payne Law Supports Grieving Families
Attorneys Geoff Moore and Spencer Payne understand that wrongful death cases are not just legal matters — they are deeply personal. Their approach combines compassion with relentless advocacy.
They handle every aspect of the case, including:
- Investigating the cause of the crash
- Managing all communication with insurers and defense attorneys
- Working with accident reconstruction and trucking experts
- Calculating the full financial impact of the loss
- Preparing cases for trial when necessary
Families are treated with respect, honesty, and care throughout the process.
Why Experience Matters in Fatal Truck Accident Cases
Wrongful death claims involving commercial trucks are among the most complex personal injury cases. They require knowledge of federal trucking regulations, corporate liability, and high-stakes litigation.
Moore Payne Law has experience confronting powerful trucking companies and insurers. Their trial-ready approach ensures defendants take claims seriously and helps families achieve meaningful results.
What Families Should Do After a Fatal Truck Accident
If you have lost a loved one in a trucking accident:
- 1.
- Obtain copies of accident and police reports
- 2.
- Preserve any documents related to the crash
- 3.
- Avoid speaking with trucking company insurers
- 4.
- Do not accept early settlement offers
- 5.
- Contact Moore Payne Law for a free consultation
Legal guidance can relieve the burden during an incredibly difficult time.
Standing With Florida Families After Tragedy
No family should have to endure the loss of a loved one due to preventable negligence. When trucking companies and drivers fail to prioritize safety, Moore Payne Law stands ready to pursue justice.
Attorneys Geoff Moore and Spencer Payne are committed to honoring the lives lost by holding negligent parties accountable and helping families secure stability for the future.
If your family has lost a loved one in a Florida truck accident, contact Moore Payne Law today for a free and confidential consultation. You do not have to face this alone.
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