Being involved in a truck accident is one of the most devastating experiences a person can go through. The sheer size and weight of commercial trucks — whether an 18-wheeler, a cement mixer, a dump truck, or a delivery vehicle — means that collisions with passenger vehicles almost always result in serious, life-altering injuries. If you or a loved one has been hurt in a truck accident in West Palm Beach or anywhere in Palm Beach County, you need an experienced truck accident attorney in your corner from day one.

At The DashCam Lawyer®, attorney Shannon J. Sagan has spent over 21 years representing truck accident victims throughout Palm Beach County and across the state of Florida. This page will walk you through everything you need to know — from the common causes of truck accidents, to how liability is determined, to the compensation you may be entitled to pursue.

Why Truck Accident Cases Are Different From Regular Car Accident Cases

Many people assume that a truck accident case is just a bigger version of a car accident case. It is not. Truck accident litigation is significantly more complex for several reasons.

First, the potential defendants are far more numerous. In a standard car accident, you typically deal with one driver and one insurance company. In a truck accident, liability can extend to the truck driver, the trucking company, a cargo loading company, a vehicle manufacturer, or a maintenance contractor — sometimes all at once.

Second, commercial trucks are governed by a separate set of federal regulations under the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). These rules cover driver qualification, hours of service, vehicle maintenance, cargo weight limits, and more. Violations of these regulations can be critical to establishing negligence — but only if your attorney knows where to look and how to use them.

Third, trucking companies and their insurers deploy experienced legal teams immediately after a serious accident. They begin preserving evidence that helps their case — and sometimes destroying or losing evidence that helps yours. Time is not on your side.

This is why having a dedicated, experienced truck accident attorney matters so much.

Common Causes of Truck Accidents in West Palm Beach

West Palm Beach sits along major freight corridors — I-95, Florida’s Turnpike, and US-1 — that see heavy commercial truck traffic every day. The DashCam Lawyer® has seen firsthand the recurring causes of serious truck accidents throughout Palm Beach County:

Driver-Related Causes:

• Fatigue — grueling hours on the road and long hauls are among the most common contributors to truck crashes, including drivers potentially falling asleep at the wheel
• Distracted driving, including texting while driving
• Improper training or lack of proper certification
• Failure to account for blind spots — commercial trucks have significantly larger blind zones than passenger vehicles
• Improper turns that cause injuries or strike parked vehicles

Vehicle and Equipment-Related Causes:

• Tire blowouts
• Equipment failure of brakes or other critical systems
• Overloaded trailers that affect stopping distance and vehicle control

Not Every Truck Is an 18-Wheeler

It is important to understand that truck accidents are not limited to semi-trucks. Accidents involving cement mixers, garbage trucks, dump trucks, delivery trucks, USPS trucks, and tow trucks are all handled by The DashCam Lawyer®. These large commercial vehicles can cause severe injuries regardless of their size relative to an 18-wheeler.

Injuries Commonly Caused by Truck Accidents

The size and force involved in truck collisions frequently result in catastrophic injuries that require long-term or lifetime medical care. Injuries The DashCam Lawyer® has seen in truck accident cases include:

• Broken bones
• Back and neck injuries, including vertebral and disc damage
• Spinal cord injuries
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Nerve damage
• Burns
• Scarring and disfigurement
• Amputation
• Death

These are not injuries that heal in a few weeks. Many truck accident victims face months or years of surgeries, rehabilitation, and ongoing treatment — along with lost income, reduced earning capacity, and profound impacts on their quality of life. The compensation you pursue must reflect not just today’s bills, but the full long-term cost of your injuries.

Determining Liability in a Truck Accident — Who Is Responsible?

One of the most important and challenging aspects of any truck accident case is determining who is legally responsible. This is not always straightforward.

Consider a few scenarios:

If the driver was fatigued: The driver may be liable for falling asleep at the wheel. But the trucking company that employed them may also share liability if it scheduled the driver for more hours than federal regulations permit.

If a tire blowout caused the crash: The trucking company may be responsible for failing to maintain the vehicle. But depending on the circumstances, the tire manufacturer could also share liability if a defective product was involved.

If the cargo shifted or spilled: The company responsible for loading the trailer may be liable if the load was improperly secured or exceeded legal weight limits.

Attorney Shannon J. Sagan understands how to investigate these layered liability questions, identify all responsible parties, and build a case that pursues the maximum compensation available — not just the easiest target.

The Role of Dash Cam Evidence in Truck Accident Cases

Truck accident cases often come down to a dispute of facts. The trucking company’s insurer will have its own version of events. Without objective evidence, these disputes can drag on — or resolve in the insurer’s favor.

This is where dash cam footage becomes a decisive advantage.

The DashCam Lawyer® is built on the principle that video evidence changes outcomes. A dash cam that captures the moment a truck driver runs a red light, drifts into your lane, or rear-ends your vehicle while you’re stopped in traffic removes the “he said, she said” dynamic entirely. The footage is timestamped, unbiased, and admissible.

Shannon Sagan has been a passionate advocate for dash cam technology throughout his legal career, giving away hundreds of dash cams to Palm Beach County residents. The DashCam Lawyer® also launched the Dash Shield Pro — a next-generation dash cam with dual 4K and 2K Ultra HD cameras, Super Night Vision, parking assist, and built-in Wi-Fi. If you were involved in a truck accident and had a dash cam running, retrieving that footage immediately — before it is overwritten — could be the most important step you take.

What Compensation Can You Pursue After a Truck Accident?

Florida law allows truck accident victims to pursue both economic and non-economic damages. Depending on the facts of your case, compensation may include:

• Medical bills — past and future treatment costs related to your injuries
• Lost wages — income you were unable to earn while recovering
• Future lost wages — reduced earning capacity if your injuries affect your ability to work long-term
• Future medical care — ongoing treatment, therapy, or assistive devices your injuries require
• Pain and suffering — compensation for the physical pain caused by your injuries
• Mental anguish — the emotional and psychological toll of a serious accident
• Disfigurement — compensation for permanent scarring or physical changes resulting from the crash

Every case is different, and the value of your claim depends on the severity of your injuries, the clarity of liability, and the insurance coverage available. The DashCam Lawyer® offers a free case evaluation to help you understand what your case may be worth.

What to Do After a Truck Accident in West Palm Beach

The steps you take immediately following a truck accident can significantly affect your ability to recover compensation.

At the Scene:

• Call 911. A police report is essential in any truck accident case.
• Seek medical attention right away — even if you feel fine. Adrenaline can mask serious injuries that appear hours or days later.
• Do not admit fault or apologize to anyone at the scene.
• Photograph all vehicle damage, road conditions, skid marks, cargo, and license plates.
• Save your dash cam footage immediately before it is overwritten by new recording.
• Get the truck driver’s name, CDL number, trucking company name, and insurance information.
• Collect contact information from any witnesses.

In the Days That Follow:

• Do not give a recorded statement to any insurance company — including the trucking company’s insurer — without first speaking to an attorney.
• Keep all records of medical treatment, out-of-pocket expenses, and missed work days.
• Avoid discussing the accident on social media.
• Contact The DashCam Lawyer® as soon as possible. Critical evidence — including the truck’s black box data, driver logs, and maintenance records — can be lost or destroyed quickly. Early legal intervention protects your claim.

Truck Accident Cases We Handle Throughout Palm Beach County

The DashCam Lawyer® handles truck accident cases across all of Palm Beach County and the state of Florida, including accidents involving:

• 18-wheelers and semi-trucks
• Cement mixers
• Garbage trucks
• Dump trucks
• Delivery trucks
• USPS and postal vehicles
• Tow trucks
• Commercial vehicles of all types

Areas served include West Palm Beach, Palm Springs, Boynton Beach, Lake Worth, Lake Worth Beach, Delray Beach, Jupiter, Palm Beach Gardens, North Palm Beach, Wellington, Loxahatchee, Belle Glade, and surrounding communities.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is a truck accident different from a regular car accident legally? Truck accidents involve federal regulations, multiple potential defendants (driver, trucking company, cargo loaders, manufacturers), and much larger insurance policies. They require a lawyer with specific experience in commercial vehicle litigation.

What evidence is most important in a truck accident case? Key evidence includes the truck’s electronic logging device (ELD) and black box data, driver qualification files, maintenance records, cargo documentation, police reports, witness statements, and dash cam footage. Acting quickly to preserve this evidence is critical.

How long do I have to file a truck accident lawsuit in Florida? Florida’s statute of limitations for personal injury cases is generally two years from the date of the accident. However, the earlier you act, the better — critical evidence disappears fast.

What if the trucking company’s insurance company contacts me? Do not give a recorded statement or accept any settlement offer without speaking to an attorney first. Insurance companies for trucking carriers are experienced at minimizing payouts. Let The DashCam Lawyer® handle all communications on your behalf.

Do you offer services in Spanish? Yes. The DashCam Lawyer® has bilingual staff and proudly serves Spanish-speaking clients throughout Palm Beach County. Se Habla Español.

Contact The DashCam Lawyer® — Free Truck Accident Consultation

If you or a family member has been injured in a truck accident in West Palm Beach or anywhere in Palm Beach County, do not wait. The DashCam Lawyer® is ready to evaluate your case, protect your rights, and fight for the full compensation you deserve.

Call 561-561-3274 Free consultations | No fees unless we win Se Habla Español

Palm Springs Office (Main): 3003 S. Congress Avenue, Suite 2E, Palm Springs, FL 33461

Belle Glade Office: 1100 South Main Street, Belle Glade, FL 33430 (By appointment only)

The DashCam Lawyer® — Because Evidence Doesn’t Lie.