If you’ve ever seen a big rig barreling down I-95 or rolling through your city streets, you know just how massive these trucks are. When one is involved in a crash, it’s more than just a fender bender. A big rig accident can cause serious injuries, huge damage, and a lot of stress for everyone involved.
At William W. Price P.A., we’ve been helping people in Boca Raton, West Palm Beach, Boynton Beach, and Jupiter for nearly 30 years. Our goal? To give every client personal attention and fight for the compensation they deserve—especially when it means going up against large trucking companies.
In this blog, we’ll walk you through what makes big rig accidents different, how we prove who’s at fault, and what you should know about box truck requirements if a smaller commercial truck is involved in your accident.
What Makes a Big Rig Accident So Serious?
A big rig accident is different from a crash between two regular cars. These trucks can weigh up to 80,000 pounds when fully loaded—that’s about 20 times heavier than the average car. So when they crash, the results can be devastating.
Common injuries include:
- Head and brain injuries
- Broken bones
- Spinal cord damage
- Long-term pain or disability
On top of that, figuring out who’s responsible isn’t always easy. It’s not just the driver you have to worry about—it could also be the trucking company, a maintenance crew, or even the people who loaded the truck.
If you’ve been involved in a big rig accident, chances are you’re not just dealing with physical injuries—you’re also up against one of the toughest industries in the country. Trucking companies have teams of attorneys, layers of insurance coverage, and deep pockets. But that doesn’t mean they’re above the law.
At William W. Price P.A., we’ve spent nearly 30 years holding large trucking companies accountable when their mistakes cause serious harm. Based in South Florida, we focus on giving clients direct, attorney-led representation—no runaround, no middlemen.
Here’s what you need to know about how we prove fault in big rig accident cases, and why understanding things like box truck requirements can give you an edge when seeking justice.
Why Big Rig Accidents Are Legally Complex
When a passenger vehicle collides with a commercial truck, the damage isn’t just physical—it’s also legal. Unlike a typical car crash, big rig accidents often involve:
- Multiple liable parties
- Federal trucking regulations
- Critical black box data
- Insurance policies worth millions
This isn’t something you want to navigate alone.
What makes it harder? Trucking companies don’t just accept responsibility. Their first move is usually to protect themselves. That’s why we move quickly to secure evidence, investigate the scene, and lock down records before they disappear.
Who’s Liable in a Big Rig Accident?
Liability in a big rig accident isn’t always cut-and-dry. While the truck driver may have caused the crash, we often discover that larger system failures were at play. Here’s who might be responsible:
- The driver, for speeding, fatigue, distraction, or driving under the influence
- The trucking company, for hiring unqualified drivers or pressuring them to violate safety laws
- Maintenance contractors, if poor inspections or faulty parts contributed
- Cargo handlers, especially if the load was imbalanced or unsecured
We don’t stop at the surface. We look at logbooks, delivery schedules, GPS data, dash cams, and even cell phone records to build a full picture of what really happened.
Why Box Truck Requirements Also Matter
Not every commercial truck on the road is a full-size 18-wheeler. Box trucks—those large delivery trucks you see in cities and suburbs—can be just as dangerous. And just like big rigs, they come with a set of rules.
Box Truck Requirements That Can Strengthen Your Case:
- Commercial license requirements: Depending on the truck’s weight, the driver may need a CDL.
- Hours of service (HOS): Drivers must follow federal limits on drive time and rest.
- Regular inspections and maintenance logs: Missing or faked records are a red flag.
- Cargo rules: Loads must be properly secured and within weight limits.
If a box truck driver or company ignores these requirements—and that leads to a crash—they can be held legally responsible. We often find that these “smaller” trucks are less monitored, which makes the companies that own them even more vulnerable in court.
How We Prove Liability Against Trucking Companies
Here’s what our firm does to prove liability in big rig accident cases:
1. Demand Evidence—Fast
We send out immediate legal requests to prevent companies from deleting or altering:
- Black box data
- Logbooks and inspection reports
- Surveillance footage
- Text and GPS records
The earlier we’re brought in, the better chance we have of preserving the evidence that can win your case.
2. Uncover Violations
We look for violations of FMCSA regulations—rules that all trucking companies must follow. If we find that they skipped maintenance, overworked their drivers, or ignored safety alerts, that becomes powerful evidence of negligence.
3. Use Expert Witnesses
Sometimes, it takes an expert to explain what really caused a crash. We work with:
- Accident reconstruction specialists
- Trucking safety consultants
- Medical professionals
Their insights help us explain your story clearly and convincingly—in a demand letter or in front of a jury.
4. Trace Fault to the Top
Many companies try to shift the blame by saying the driver was an “independent contractor” or by pointing fingers at someone else. We dig through contracts, corporate policies, and training records to show the full chain of responsibility.
How Trucking Companies Try to Avoid Responsibility
Trucking companies are quick to defend themselves—and they have experience doing it. Here are some of the most common defenses we hear:
- “The driver wasn’t on duty.”
- “It wasn’t our truck.”
- “The victim caused the crash.”
- “There’s no proof of mechanical failure.”
Our team knows how to break through these walls. With a strong case, the facts speak louder than any excuse.
Why Clients Trust William W. Price P.A.
When you’re injured in a trucking accident, you need a legal team that brings both strength and strategy. At William W. Price P.A., we:
- Work directly with clients—you’ll always speak with an attorney
- Have decades of experience in complex liability cases
- Know how to take on large companies and their insurance carriers
- Are backed by an AV rating from Martindale-Hubbell, the highest in legal skill and ethics
We serve Boca Raton, West Palm Beach, Boynton Beach, and Jupiter, and we’re here when you need someone who will treat your case like it’s personal—because to us, it is.
What to Do After a Big Rig Accident
If you or a loved one has been in a big rig accident, here’s what to do:
- Call 911 and get medical help.
- Don’t speak to the trucking company’s insurer.
- Take photos, get witness names, and write down everything you remember.
- Contact a lawyer right away.
Even if you’re not sure whether you have a case, it’s worth getting answers from someone who knows the system.
Final Thoughts—and How to Get Help
Big rig crashes are more than just accidents—they’re serious legal battles. If a truck driver or company didn’t follow the rules, and that led to your injuries, they need to be held accountable. Whether it was a highway crash with an 18-wheeler or a city collision involving a box truck that failed to meet box truck requirements, we’re ready to help.
If you’re looking for experienced, hands-on legal support, contact us today to schedule a free consultation. We’ll take care of the legal work—so you can focus on healing.
Why Box Truck Requirements Matter
You’ve probably seen box trucks around town. They’re the medium-sized trucks used for local deliveries or moving small loads. And while they’re smaller than big rigs, they’re still commercial vehicles—and that means they’re held to certain rules.
What Are Box Truck Requirements?
Here are a few important ones:
- CDL license: Depending on the truck’s size, the driver may need a commercial driver’s license.
- Rest breaks: Drivers must follow rules about how long they can drive without taking a break.
- Regular inspections: The truck has to be properly maintained and checked for safety.
- Insurance coverage: These trucks have to carry certain types of insurance to operate legally.
If a box truck driver or company doesn’t follow these rules and causes a crash, it can help prove they were at fault. That’s why we always look into box truck requirements in any case that involves a smaller commercial vehicle.
How We Prove Liability in a Big Rig Accident
Going up against a large trucking company might seem overwhelming—but we’ve done it time and time again. Here’s how we build a strong case:
1. We Move Fast to Save the Evidence
Trucking companies often act quickly after a crash to protect themselves. That’s why we jump into action right away. We send legal notices to make sure important evidence is saved, like:
- Driver logbooks
- Truck maintenance records
- GPS and black box data
- Security or dash cam footage
This evidence helps us understand what really happened.
2. We Check for Rule Breaks
Big trucking companies have to follow a lot of federal safety rules. These come from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). If they broke those rules—like pushing drivers to work too long without rest—it can help prove they were negligent.
3. We Bring in Experts
Sometimes we need expert help to explain what happened in a crash. We work with accident reconstruction experts, trucking safety pros, and engineers to support your case with solid facts.
4. We Look at the Whole Picture
A lot of trucking companies try to dodge responsibility. They might say the driver was a contractor, or blame someone else. But we look at hiring records, training documents, and company policies to see if there’s a pattern of carelessness.
What Trucking Companies Try to Say—and How We Respond
Trucking companies and their lawyers have a few common tricks they use to avoid paying. They might say:
- The driver wasn’t working at the time
- Another car caused the crash
- You were partly to blame
- The truck had no mechanical issues
We don’t just take their word for it. We build a strong case based on facts, documents, and expert opinions to show what really happened.
Why Choose William W. Price P.A.?
We’re not a giant law firm where your case gets handed off to an assistant. When you work with us, you work directly with experienced attorneys—including board-certified civil trial lawyer William Price.
We’ve been helping clients in South Florida since 1995, and we combine old-school personal service with modern legal tools. That means you get the attention your case deserves—plus the skill and experience to take on big trucking companies.
What to Do After a Big Rig Accident
If you’ve been in a big rig accident, here’s what we recommend:
- Get medical help right away—even if you feel okay at first
- Take pictures of the scene, your car, and your injuries
- Collect names and contact info for witnesses
- Don’t talk to the trucking company’s insurance without a lawyer
- Call an experienced attorney as soon as possible
The sooner we get started, the better chance we have of finding key evidence and building your case.
Let Us Help You After a Big Rig Accident
Big truck crashes are complicated, and going up against a powerful trucking company takes legal skill, experience, and determination. At William W. Price P.A., we know how to prove liability and fight for the compensation you deserve—whether your accident involved a semi-truck, a delivery van, or a smaller commercial vehicle that didn’t meet box truck requirements.
If you or a loved one has been hurt in a big rig accident, contact us today to schedule a free consultation. We’re ready to listen, explain your options, and start working on your case.
Proudly serving Boca Raton, West Palm Beach, Boynton Beach, and Jupiter with trusted legal care since 1995.
