Ocala Truck Accident Lawyer

Hightower & Hightower Lawyers

A Truck Accident Lawyer Focused on Your Recovery

Hightower & Hightower, P.A. has been standing up for the injured since 1976. For 50 years, truck accident victims have relied on our personal injury law firm for aggressive representation. Each attorney here is dedicated to protecting your rights, pursuing the justice you deserve, and holding at-fault parties accountable. If you’ve been in a trucking accident, don’t wait. Contact Hightower & Hightower today.

Contact Us For A Free Case Review

If You’ve Been Injured In A Tractor-Trailer Accident

Central Florida is no stranger to tractor-trailer accidents. These crashes can result in serious injuries, including:

  • Neck and back injuries
  • Traumatic brain injuries
  • Spinal cord injuries
  • Broken bones and internal injuries
  • Permanent disability
  • Emotional trauma
  • Scarring and burns

If you were injured in a tractor-trailer accident, you may have legal options. Our advice is always to speak with a lawyer as soon as possible after a collision, and before giving any recorded statements to insurance companies.

Compensation We Recover For Your Truck Accident Case

Personal injury law calculates compensation for a truck accident case by looking at your damages. Damages are the total losses you’ve suffered due to the accident. This should account for past, present, and future losses, such as:

  • Medical bills and hospital costs
  • Costs of treatment you may need later on
  • Money lost from being unable to work
  • Damage to your property/belongings
  • Physical pain, injury, or emotional suffering

How Much is a Truck Accident Settlement Worth?

A case’s value depends on how the crash has affected the injured person.
That can include changes in their health, their ability to handle daily activities, and the effects of the injuries on their ability to work and their relationships. These are all details that help us show the full impact the accident has had on the victim’s life as a whole.

Are Truck Accidents More Dangerous Than Car Crashes?

Yes. Trucks are not just ‘big vehicles.’ At maximum capacity, a tractor-trailer can outweigh a typical car by as much as twenty times. That’s 80,000 pounds that, even after impact, will continue to push cars through traffic and into other vehicles, causing multi-car collisions and increasing the severity of the crash. This size and weight can lead to severe, devastating injuries. Sometimes, fatalities.

Commercial Accident Claims Are Legally Complex

More than one company can be tied to a single accident, making these crashes legally complex.
Large trucking fleets involved also have “Catastrophic Response Teams” that they send to the scene immediately, to begin protecting their interests. They may even try to pressure victims into taking a quick settlement.

Don’t let them take advantage. The trucking industry is highly regulated, and these cases are not handled the same as others. They are more serious, more aggressively defended, and require rigorous investigation.

Negligence & Holding Trucking Companies Accountable

Negligence is the failure to use reasonable care. In a trucking accident case, that means a truck driver, trucking company, or a third party acted negligently and caused an accident. Actionable behavior can include speeding, driving while distracted, failing to maintain the truck, or violating road and safety rules.

Negligence is what connects the accident to legal responsibility. To recover compensation, we must show that another party’s negligence caused or contributed to the crash and your injuries.

Why You Must Act Quickly in Florida

It’s better to take action sooner rather than later. Florida law allows two years to file a lawsuit for injuries and related damages. Speaking with a truck accident attorney soon after the accident can help you understand how the law applies to your case. Our attorneys are here to help you through every step.

How to Protect Your Rights After a Trucking Collision

  • 1. If you’ve been in a trucking accident, dial 911 right away. When law enforcement arrives, they will collect details about the crash and document the scene. Emergency responders can also evaluate and treat any injuries.
  • 2. Stay at the scene and do not leave, as Florida law requires, but be careful not to admit fault. Statements made in the moment can be used against you later.
  • 3. If you are able, take photos of your injuries, vehicle damage, the truck, and the surrounding area. Try to note important details, such as the time, weather, road conditions, traffic, and anything unusual about the truck, such as company markings or trailer numbers.
  • 4. Also, seek medical attention, even if you feel okay. Some injuries may not appear right away, and medical records can be important evidence for your case.
  • 5. You should also report the accident to your insurance company, but avoid accepting a quick settlement or giving a recorded statement before speaking with a lawyer.

General Questions

A truck accident case is usually more complicated. Trucking companies typically have rapid-response teams, and you need an aggressive legal team that can match their resources. The case may involve multiple parties, such as the driver, the trucking company, maintenance providers, or insurers. The harm caused by a collision with a semi-truck is also usually more severe than in a car accident.

Absolutely. A truck accident settlement is intended to cover the “total losses” you’ve experienced. This covers both economic damages—like medical bills and lost income—and non-economic damages, which compensate for physical and emotional suffering or a loss of quality of life.

We work on a contingency fee basis. You pay nothing out of pocket and no hourly fees. We only receive a fee if we successfully recover money for you through a settlement or a court verdict. If we don’t win, you don’t owe us any attorney fees.

No. You are not legally required to give a recorded statement to the other party’s insurer, and we strongly advise against it. These adjusters are looking for any statement (even a casual “I’m doing okay”) to argue that your injuries aren’t severe or that you were at fault. We will handle communications with insurance companies.

Our firm is well-versed in the unique hazards along I-4, I-75, US-27, SR 441, and the Florida Turnpike. These are specific stretches of highway where Central Florida trucking accidents occur often. We’ve also served Ocala and the surrounding areas since 1976. We understand the local courts and the specific logistics of Florida’s roads and highways. And when you call us, you speak with the legal team who will actually handle your case, not a remote call center.

Experienced Truck Accident Lawyer with 50 Years of Experience

At Hightower & Hightower, P.A., we know how to handle trucking companies and their insurers. Trucking companies and drivers must follow special rules around vehicle maintenance, driver hours, weight limits, and more. Getting access to black box data, driver logs, vehicle inspections, and other important evidence is time-sensitive. The sooner we act, the better. If you or a family member has been injured in a trucking accident, contact our office today for a free consultation.

Contact Us For a Free Consultation

Testimonials

I was satisfied with the results of my case. I would most definitely recommend Daniel L. Hightower, and his staff, to anyone seeking an excellent attorney, and law firm!!

Brian G.

Mr. Hightower and his daughter Alison attained results that were beyond my expectations. As we were leaving his office my wife commented, “he’s a real southern gentleman.” I couldn’t agree more. Thanks Dan and Alison.

James M.

They did everything in their power to get as much money for me as possible… Thanks goes to all at Hightower and Hightower.

Annette C.