Most Common Injuries Caused by Truck Accidents in Florida

Because trucks are much larger and heavier than most passenger vehicles, it is an unfortunate reality that truck accidents tend to leave survivors with more serious injuries than those typically sustained in ordinary motor vehicle accidents. What are the most common injuries suffered after a truck accident? Our experienced personal injury team at Paul Figueroa Law has the answer to this and more questions.

Understanding Common Truck Accident Injuries

Truck accidents can result in a variety of injuries for anyone involved. Some injuries are more common than others.

Whiplash

Whiplash is a very common injury for vehicle occupants in a collision. It occurs when the head suddenly and forcefully wrenches backwards or forwards. This motion can badly strain the muscles and bones in the neck and cause neurological damage, including problems with the spinal cord.

Common symptoms related to whiplash, which include neck pain, stiffness, numbness, and dizziness, are called whiplash-associated disorders (WAD).

Traumatic Brain Injuries

Concussions and other forms of traumatic brain injury (TBI) are also common in truck accident victims. TBIs often result from a blow to the head, but any motion that violently jostles the brain can cause damage, including whiplash.

Symptoms include nausea, headache, and various cognitive, emotional, and sensory disturbances. Some concussions heal quickly, but others can lead to debilitating long-term symptoms.

Fractured Bones

Bones often fracture or break in motor vehicle accidents. Studies differ on the most common sites of fractures in crash survivors; however, one literature review suggests that the ribs and skull may be the most vulnerable to breaking for both motorcyclists and car accident occupants.

Motorcyclists also tend to suffer from lower limb fractures, while vertebral fractures are more common for car occupants.

Cuts and Bruises

Bruises and cuts are frequent, especially in destructive crashes that produce flying debris. Severe cuts can be life-threatening or damage underlying muscles and nerves; they may also be disfiguring in ways that can cause lasting psychological and social harm.

Under Florida law, an injury causing severe disfigurement qualifies as a serious bodily injury, a label that determines eligibility for some injury payouts.

Mental Injuries

Not all truck accident injuries are physical. A 2025 analysis found a 20.3% rate of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in vehicle accident survivors. If you were in an accident and are experiencing symptoms like a new fear of driving, vivid and intrusive memories of the accident, insomnia, panic attacks, or feeling constantly on edge, you may have PTSD.

Claiming Insurance Payments for Truck Accident Injuries

There are two main kinds of truck accident claims: insurance claims and personal injury claims.

Insurance claims are submitted to your Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurer. Every driver of a vehicle with four or more wheels registered in Florida must have $10,000 in PIP insurance, which covers up to 80% of medical bills for injuries from vehicle accidents and up to 60% of wages lost while injured. Injuries must be considered “serious” to qualify for the full $10,000; otherwise, payouts are capped at $2,500.

A truck accident attorney can help you prove that you sustained a serious injury. This is an important threshold to surpass not only for insurance reasons, but also to open up the possibility of filing a personal injury claim.

Pursuing Damages Against a Negligent Truck Driver

Through filing a personal injury claim against a negligent driver who was responsible for your injury, you may be able to recover compensation far beyond what PIP offers. These claims can include damages for medical expenses beyond the PIP limit, past and anticipated future lost wages, and various non-economic losses falling into the category of pain and suffering (e.g., loss of quality of life).

Depending on the situation, claims might be made against a variety of parties. The negligent driver might be held personally liable, or, if they’re a commercial trucker, liability might extend to the trucking company.

This adds additional complexity to the already complicated process of pursuing damages, which is why it is important to hire a truck accident lawyer who understands Florida’s personal injury laws.

In 2023, Hillsborough County saw 3,083 reported commercial motor vehicle crashes and 916 injuries. A 2024 study ranked Tampa the 10th-worst city for drivers based on accident fatalities.

FAQs

What Is the 14-Day Rule in Florida?

Under Florida Statute 627.736(a), someone who wants to claim Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance benefits to pay for the treatment of injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident must have received that treatment within 14 days after the accident. Make sure to retain all documentation of any medical treatment you receive after an accident to submit it to the insurance company with your claim.

How Long Do I Have to Claim Damages for Injuries From a Truck Accident in Florida?

In Florida, you have two years after the date of a motor vehicle accident to pursue damages against a negligent driver for seriously injuring you. It is important to consult an attorney with in-depth knowledge of truck accident laws early on in the claims process so that you meet this deadline.

Are Trucks More Dangerous Than Cars in Accidents?

Yes, compared to cars, trucks are more dangerous to pedestrians and other drivers. Even light trucks sold as passenger vehicles, like SUVs and pickups, pose an elevated risk to pedestrians, cyclists, and people in smaller vehicles. Commercial heavy trucks (e.g., big rigs) are the most dangerous to others in collision scenarios.

How Much Do You Get Paid for Pain and Suffering in a Truck Accident?

Damage payouts for pain and suffering in a truck accident can vary significantly depending on many different factors, such as the severity and duration of the injury in question and the extent to which it limits your ability to engage in normal life. Quantifying “pain and suffering” in dollars is a subjective undertaking and requires significant knowledge of personal injury law. A skilled Tampa truck accident lawyer can help you calculate an appropriate amount for your case.

Hire a Truck Accident Lawyer Today

It may feel intimidating to pursue the payments you deserve after a devastating truck accident, but Paul Figueroa Law has your back. Our firm has represented thousands of clients in personal injury cases, and we can help you get the compensation you need for a full recovery.

Contact us today to set up your initial consultation. We are based in Tampa and serve clients throughout Hillsborough County and wider Florida.