How much compensation you get for an 18-wheeler truck accident settlement in Florida varies based on the unique circumstances of each situation and the severity of your injuries. Based on our own settlement data on this page, the average truck accident settlement in Florida is between $175,000 - $275,000.
Example of a $175,000 Semi-Truck Accident Settlement In Florida
Our client was stopped in traffic when a fully loaded 18-wheeler sideswiped his car. The truck driver told the Florida Highway Patrol that shifting cargo distracted him and caused him to drift into our client’s lane. Our client received emergency care, chiropractic and orthopedic treatment, MRI scans, and outpatient surgery. We sent a letter to preserve important evidence, including black box data, driver logs, employee records, and dashcam footage. The case settled for $175,000 before a lawsuit was filed.
Parties Involved: Our client, the at-fault truck driver, and the trucking company.
Date of Incident: July 2024.
Location: US Highway 441, Orange County, Florida.
Incident Details
Traffic on US Highway 441 was stopped, and our client had brought his car to a complete stop in the inside through lane, north of West Holden Avenue. The at-fault truck driver of a fully loaded 18-wheeler was traveling in the adjacent left-turn lane at approximately 45 mph when the truck drifted right and struck the left side of our client’s car. Both vehicles were moved before the Florida Highway Patrol trooper arrived. Our client was transported for medical evaluation, and the Florida Highway Patrol investigated the crash and prepared a report.
Effect on the Client’s Life
After the collision, our client received emergency care, approximately six months of chiropractic treatment, MRI scans, ongoing orthopedic care, and outpatient surgery. He sought legal assistance to address his injuries and related medical expenses.
Insurance and Litigation
The trucking company carried a commercial liability insurance policy. The case was resolved through pre-suit negotiations without a lawsuit being filed.
Case Resolution
- Settlement Agreement and Release: Executed in late February 2025.
- Settlement Check: Issued in early March 2025.
- Final Closing Statement: Signed by the client in mid-March 2025.
- Total Settlement: $175,000, resolved before a lawsuit was filed.
Case Takeaway
This commercial trucking case involved a fully loaded 18-wheeler that sideswiped a stopped car after shifting cargo distracted the driver and caused him to drift out of his turn lane. The driver reported the distraction to the Florida Highway Patrol. We sent a spoliation letter the same day we were hired to help preserve critical evidence, including black box data, driver logs, and dashcam footage. The case highlights the importance of preserving evidence and holding responsible drivers and trucking companies accountable.
Example of a $275,000 Semi-Truck Accident Settlement in Florida
Our client was driving south on a Marion County highway in the left lane when an 18-wheeler traveling in the right lane attempted to merge left to pass another tractor-trailer and sideswiped the passenger side of the client’s vehicle. Although the investigating officer initially blamed the client, our firm hired an accident reconstruction expert to analyze the event data recorder (EDR) from the client’s vehicle. The data supported the client’s account of the crash, helping the firm secure a $275,000 settlement at mediation.
Parties Involved: Our client, the at-fault truck driver, and the trucking company
Date of Incident: September 2022.
Location: US Highway 441 at NW 77th Street, in Unincorporated Marion County, Florida
Incident Details
On September 22, 2022, our client was driving home from work southbound on US Highway 441 in the left lane near NW 77th Street in unincorporated Marion County, Florida. A semi-truck traveling southbound in the right lane approached another tractor-trailer ahead and attempted to merge left to pass it. During the lane change, the truck violently sideswiped the passenger side of our client’s vehicle. Both vehicles came to rest on the west shoulder of US Highway 441. Although the investigating officer initially attributed fault to our client, an accident reconstruction expert analyzed the vehicle’s event data recorder, which supported our client’s account that he was already in the left lane and had not attempted to change lanes. Our firm pursued the necessary evidence, filed suit, and successfully resolved the case at mediation on March 22, 2024.
Effect on the Client’s Life
The collision resulted in a lumbar spine injury, with a surgical recommendation focused on the L2-3 level. The client received treatment from spine and orthopedic specialists, and an L2-3 lateral fusion with lateral plate fixation was contemplated. However, the available records do not confirm whether the surgery was performed before settlement. At the time of the collision, the client was employed as a sales representative. No claims were made for past lost wages or future loss of earning capacity, and the available records do not document specific limitations on mobility or daily activities.
Insurance and Litigation
A lawsuit was filed, and the trucking company’s claims administrator handled the claim. Shortly after the firm was retained, a demand was sent under §627.4137 for certified copies of all insurance policies. However, the insurer’s response confirming policy limits was not available in the retrieved file, and no opening offer was documented. The defendants denied liability in the settlement agreement, and the case ultimately resolved at mediation.
Case Resolution
The case settled at mediation on March 22, 2024, for $275,000. The client signed the closing statement on April 11, 2024, and the settlement check was dated April 15, 2024. The first client disbursement was issued on May 3, 2024.
Case Takeaway
This case demonstrates why hiring an experienced truck accident injury lawyer can make a critical difference. Although the police report initially blamed the client, our firm challenged that conclusion by hiring an accident reconstruction expert and obtaining event data recorder (EDR) data from the client’s vehicle. The evidence supported the client’s account, helping secure a $275,000 settlement at mediation against a trucking defendant that denied fault until the end. The case highlights the importance of having a lawyer who knows how to investigate a crash, preserve critical evidence through early spoliation letters, and challenge conclusions that may otherwise undermine an injured person’s claim.
You Don’t Have to Navigate a Complex Settlement Alone.
After a serious semi-truck accident, your priority should be your physical recovery—not the stress of medical bills, lost wages, and insurance company tactics. At Spetsas Buist Personal Injury and Car Accident Lawyers, we stand up for accident victims and hold trucking companies and responsible drivers accountable throughout Orlando and across Florida. Let us handle the legal challenges while you focus on your recovery and getting your life back on track
Reach out to the team at Spetsas Buist today for a free evaluation of your case.
Disclaimer: The facts and circumstances of your case may differ from the matters described on this page. Past results do not guarantee, warrant, or predict future case outcomes. Results depend on a variety of factors unique to each case.