A major crash involving what appears to be a semi-truck caused significant traffic disruptions Friday afternoon on Interstate 95 in Palm Beach County near Donald Ross Road. Emergency responders and law enforcement were dispatched to the scene as authorities worked to manage the collision and restore traffic flow.

If you or a loved one was involved in this crash — or any truck accident on Florida's highways — you may be entitled to substantial compensation. Truck accident cases are among the most complex and high-value personal injury claims in Florida, and having the right attorney from the start can make all the difference.

Semi-trucks — also called tractor-trailers, 18-wheelers, or big rigs — can weigh up to 80,000 pounds when fully loaded. A passenger vehicle weighs roughly 3,000 to 4,000 pounds. When a collision occurs, the consequences for occupants of smaller vehicles are often catastrophic.

But the legal complexity of truck accident cases goes far beyond the severity of the injuries. Unlike a standard car accident, a semi-truck crash may involve:

• Multiple liable parties — the truck driver, the trucking company, the cargo loader, the truck owner, and the maintenance provider may all share responsibility
• Federal regulations — commercial trucks are governed by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), which imposes strict rules on driver hours, vehicle maintenance, cargo securement, and licensing
• Commercial insurance policies — trucking companies carry large insurance policies, and their insurers deploy experienced adjusters and defense attorneys immediately after a crash
• Electronic data — modern semi-trucks contain black boxes (Electronic Logging Devices) that record speed, braking, hours of service, and other critical data that must be preserved immediately

Interstate 95 in Palm Beach County is one of the busiest freight corridors in Florida. Semi-truck accidents on I-95 are frequently caused by:

• Driver fatigue — federal hours-of-service rules exist because drowsy driving is a leading cause of truck crashes; violations are common and often concealed
• Distracted driving — texting, GPS use, or eating while operating an 80,000-pound vehicle
• Speeding or following too closely — trucks require significantly longer stopping distances than passenger vehicles
• Improper lane changes — large blind spots make lane changes dangerous, especially in heavy traffic
• Brake failure or mechanical defects — inadequate maintenance of braking systems is a frequent factor in serious truck crashes
• Overloaded or improperly secured cargo — shifting loads can cause a driver to lose control or cause debris to strike other vehicles
• Driving under the influence — alcohol and drug violations among commercial drivers remain a serious problem

One of the most important aspects of a truck accident claim is identifying every party that bears legal responsibility. In Florida, that may include:

• The truck driver — for negligent driving, fatigue, distraction, or impairment
• The trucking company — for negligent hiring, inadequate training, pressure to violate hours-of-service rules, or failure to maintain the vehicle
• The cargo company — if improperly loaded or secured freight contributed to the crash
• The truck owner — if the truck was leased or owned by a party separate from the operator
• The maintenance provider — if a third-party shop performed defective repairs
• The truck or parts manufacturer — if a defective component such as brakes, tires, or steering caused or contributed to the crash

Florida's comparative negligence law (§768.81) allows injured victims to recover damages even if they were partially at fault — as long as their share of fault does not exceed 50%.

Due to the severity of injuries typically caused by semi-truck collisions, compensation in these cases is often substantial. Victims may be entitled to recover:

• Medical expenses — emergency care, surgery, hospitalization, rehabilitation, and ongoing treatment
• Future medical costs — for permanent injuries requiring long-term care
• Lost wages — income lost during recovery
• Loss of future earning capacity — if injuries prevent returning to the same work
• Pain and suffering — physical pain and emotional trauma
• Property damage — repair or replacement of your vehicle
• Wrongful death damages — if a loved one was killed in the crash, surviving family members may pursue a wrongful death claim

Trucking companies carry commercial insurance policies with limits that can reach $1 million or more — far exceeding the coverage available in typical car accident cases. This means the potential recovery for seriously injured victims is significantly higher.

Truck accident cases require immediate action. Here is why:

• The black box data disappears — Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs) and event data recorders may overwrite data within days unless a legal hold is issued
• The trucking company's team is already working — insurers and defense attorneys begin building their case from the moment the crash occurs
• Physical evidence at the scene — skid marks, debris, and road conditions change quickly
• Driver records and logs — hours-of-service logs, drug test results, and driver qualification files must be obtained before they are altered or destroyed
• Witness memories fade — statements taken early are far more reliable

Florida's statute of limitations for personal injury claims is 2 years from the date of the crash (§95.11(3)(a)). For wrongful death claims, the deadline is also 2 years from the date of death.

If you were involved in the crash near Donald Ross Road or any truck accident in Florida:

1. Seek medical attention immediately — even if you feel fine; adrenaline masks pain, and some injuries appear hours or days later
2. Call the police — ensure a crash report is filed; get the report number
3. Document everything — photograph the scene, your vehicle, the truck, license plates, cargo, and your injuries
4. Get witness information — names and phone numbers of anyone who saw the crash
5. Note the trucking company name — it is usually printed on the side of the trailer
6. Do not speak to the trucking company's insurance adjuster without an attorney
7. Do not accept any early settlement offer — initial offers are almost always far below the true value of your claim
8. Contact a Florida truck accident attorney immediately

At Juan Cordero Lawyers, we have extensive experience handling serious truck accident cases throughout Florida — including crashes on I-95, the Florida Turnpike, I-75, and US-1 in Palm Beach, Martin, St. Lucie, and Miami-Dade counties.

Attorney Juan J. Cordero is a Top 100 Trial Lawyer with 26+ years of experience fighting for seriously injured Floridians and their families. We know how to investigate trucking companies, obtain black box data, depose drivers and dispatchers, and build the kind of case that commands maximum compensation — whether through settlement or at trial.

We handle all truck accident cases on a contingency fee basis — you pay nothing unless we win.

Call us 24/7 at 305-525-8957 for a free, confidential consultation.

If you were injured in the I-95 crash near Donald Ross Road or any truck accident in Florida, contact our office today. The sooner we begin investigating, the stronger your case will be.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Details of this incident are based on initial reports and may be updated as more information becomes available.

Related: Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Florida | Truck Accident Lawyer Florida | How to Prove Negligence in Florida