How a CDL Elevates Legal Responsibility in a Florida Truck Accident Claim

Who Must Hold a CDL and Why It Matters in Florida

In Florida, anyone driving a commercial vehicle over 26,001 pounds, carrying more than fifteen passengers, or transporting hazardous materials must hold a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL). Getting a CDL requires passing both written and practical tests, plus endorsements for certain vehicle types or cargo.

Having a CDL means the driver is held to a higher standard of care. CDL holders must follow strict rules about safe following distances, securing cargo properly, conducting pre-trip inspections, and managing fatigue. These rules play a key role in determining fault when a truck accident happens.

Florida Hours-of-Service and Fatigue Rules

Federal laws limit commercial truck drivers to 11 hours of driving within a 14-hour workday, including a 30-minute break after 8 hours of driving. Florida’s rules for intrastate drivers are even stricter. Drivers can work up to 12 hours after 10 consecutive off-duty hours but cannot exceed 16 hours on duty in one day or 70 hours over seven consecutive days.

Unfortunately, violations of these laws are common. Fatigue is one of the leading causes of fatal truck crashes in Florida. If a driver ignores these rules or falsifies their logbooks, that behavior can strengthen a personal injury claim.

CDL DUI Rules and Legal Consequences in Florida

Florida law holds CDL drivers to a tougher standard for impaired driving. The blood alcohol limit for commercial drivers is 0.04 percent, compared to 0.08 percent for other drivers. A first-time DUI can lead to a mandatory one-year suspension of the CDL, or three years if hazardous materials are involved. A second offense can result in a lifetime ban. Notably, a CDL can be suspended even if the DUI happened while driving a personal vehicle.

These strict rules often end a driver’s career and lead to serious legal and financial consequences. For injury cases, they also increase liability for the driver and their employer.

Who Can Be Held Responsible in a Florida Truck Accident

Truck crashes in Central Florida and across the state often involve multiple parties. Florida’s comparative negligence law allows injured parties to recover damages as long as they are not more than fifty percent at fault. Potentially responsible parties include:

• The truck driver, for speeding, driving impaired, fatigue, or failing to inspect the vehicle
  
• The trucking company, for negligent hiring, inadequate training, or ignoring safety violations
  
• Cargo loaders, if improperly loaded cargo caused instability
  
• Maintenance providers or manufacturers, if faulty parts or service led to the accident
  
• Government entities, in rare cases where road conditions or signage contributed to the crash

Proving liability requires a thorough investigation, including depositions, document subpoenas, and recovering electronic data from the truck.

Key Evidence in Florida Truck Accident Cases

Successful cases depend on collecting important evidence, such as:

• The driver’s CDL file, including endorsements and training
  
• Electronic logging device (ELD) records showing hours of service compliance
  
• Vehicle inspection reports before and after trips
  
• Data from the truck’s event recorder, including speed and braking information
  
• Relevant CDL manuals and federal regulations

This evidence helps prove negligence and counters defenses that the crash was unavoidable.

How CDL Violations Strengthen Personal Injury Claims

CDL holders are expected to be skilled and knowledgeable. When they violate safety rules about fatigue, alcohol, or vehicle maintenance, it becomes easier to prove negligence. Even if there was no intent to cause harm, failure to follow CDL regulations shows the driver did not act as a reasonable professional should. Courts may also hold the trucking company accountable if they knew about these violations and did nothing.

Litigation Strategy: Holding All Responsible Parties Accountable

A strong legal strategy targets the driver, employer, and any third parties. It is important to look at whether the trucking company:

• Pressured the driver to break safety laws
  
• Ignored the driver’s past violations
  
• Skipped required vehicle inspections or maintenance
  
• Failed to properly train employees on compliance

Trucking companies can be directly liable for negligent supervision, training, and retention, not just under the legal doctrine of respondeat superior.

Why Choose My Affordable Attorney for Your Truck Accident Case

Our Daytona Beach law firm represents injury victims throughout Central Florida, including Volusia, Flagler, Orange, and Seminole Counties. We offer:

• Flat-fee representation at 25 percent
  
• Free consultations with no upfront costs
  
• Flexible availability, including nights and weekends
  
• Services in both English and Spanish
  
• Same-day appointments and walk-in clients welcomed

We know how to investigate CDL violations and enforce federal and state safety regulations to hold drivers and trucking companies accountable.

Injured in a Truck Accident in Central Florida? Know Your Rights

If you have been hurt in a truck crash, do not wait to get help. Call My Affordable Attorney at 866-466-5925 to schedule your free consultation. Our experienced team is ready to fight for the compensation you deserve.