DUI Truck Accident Lawyer in Zephyrhills FL — Fight Back After a Drunk Driving Truck Crash
Hit by a drunk truck driver in Zephyrhills? Brewer Law Firm, P.A. fights for full compensation in DUI truck accident cases. Contact us today—no fee unless we win.
🚨 What Is a DUI Truck Accident Case?
A DUI truck accident occurs when a commercial truck driver operates their vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, leading to a crash. In Florida, truck drivers are held to stricter standards than everyday motorists. A blood alcohol content (BAC) of just 0.04% (half the standard limit) qualifies as DUI for commercial license holders under Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR).
These cases involve both criminal DUI charges and a civil injury lawsuit. At Brewer Law Firm, we handle the civil case—fighting for victims injured or killed due to a truck driver’s impaired decision-making.
Key Takeaways
DUI truck crashes are more likely to result in severe injuries or death.
Florida holds commercial drivers to stricter DUI limits (0.04% BAC).
Brewer Law Firm builds powerful legal cases using toxicology reports, arrest records, and expert testimony.
Victims may be eligible for punitive damages—extra compensation to punish reckless conduct.
🍺 Why DUI Truck Accidents Are Especially Dangerous
Operating an 18-wheeler or heavy-duty commercial truck requires precision, alertness, and rapid reflexes—skills that alcohol or drug use severely impair. When impaired drivers get behind the wheel of vehicles weighing 20,000–80,000 pounds, the results are often devastating.
Factors that amplify the danger:
Massive Vehicle Weight: Increased stopping distance and crash force.
Reduced Reaction Time: Slower responses lead to higher-impact collisions.
High Risk of Multi-Vehicle Crashes: One DUI truck can affect multiple cars at once.
Hazardous Cargo: Cement, steel, or chemicals can escalate injury severity.
🚫 Who Can Be Held Liable in DUI Trucking Crashes?
Brewer Law Firm evaluates every potential source of liability, including:
The Truck Driver: Directly responsible for the impaired driving.
The Trucking Company: May be liable for negligent hiring, poor supervision, or failure to conduct drug/alcohol testing.
Alcohol Vendors (in rare cases): Under Florida’s limited Dram Shop Law, if a bar served an underage or habitually addicted driver.
We also review black box data, surveillance footage, and police arrest records to build an airtight case.
💸 Types of Compensation Available
Victims of DUI truck accidents may be entitled to:
Medical Expenses: ER visits, surgeries, physical therapy.
Lost Income: Time off work, reduced future earning potential.
Pain and Suffering: Emotional trauma, anxiety, PTSD.
Property Damage: Vehicle repairs or replacement.
Punitive Damages: Designed to punish extreme negligence and deter future violations.
📍Serving Zephyrhills & Central Florida Communities
We assist clients in:
Zephyrhills (including Fort King, Chancey Rd, Wire Rd)
Lakeland
Plant City
💥 Injuries and Fatalities in DUI Truck Accidents
These accidents often result in catastrophic harm:
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs)
Severe Spinal Cord Damage
Crush and Amputation Injuries
Internal Bleeding and Organ Rupture
Burns and Disfigurement
Wrongful Death
Victims often face months or years of medical care, and sometimes lifelong disability.
Who Can Be Sued in a Commercial Trucking Case?
Unlike simple auto accidents, commercial truck cases may involve multiple liable entities:
Truck Driver: For reckless, negligent, or impaired driving.
Trucking Company: For improper hiring, training, or scheduling.
Vehicle Owner or Leasing Agent: For failing to maintain safe equipment.
Freight Shipper/Loader: If cargo was unbalanced or overloaded.
Maintenance Providers: For incomplete or negligent service.
Florida DUI and Trucking Laws Explained
Florida law and federal trucking regulations both apply in DUI-related crashes:
BAC Limit for Commercial Drivers: 0.04% under FMCSR §392.5
Implied Consent: Truck drivers must submit to breath or blood testing.
Zero Tolerance Employment Policies: Companies must suspend CDL holders testing positive.
Florida Statutes §316.193: Defines DUI penalties and consequences.
Violations of these laws strengthen your civil injury case and may entitle you to additional damages.
💵 Compensation in Commercial Truck Injury Claims
Victims may be eligible to recover:
Medical Expenses: Hospitalization, surgeries, therapy, prescriptions.
Lost Wages & Earning Capacity: Both past and future losses.
Pain and Suffering: Emotional distress, trauma, life changes.
Property Damage: Repair or replacement of your vehicle.
Wrongful Death Damages: For surviving family members.
How Brewer Law Firm Handles DUI Truck Cases
Attorney Nathan D. Brewer applies a rigorous legal strategy to every DUI trucking case. Here’s how we help:
Secure Police & DUI Arrest Records
Coordinate with Toxicology Experts
Subpoena Driver Employment and Testing Records
Build an Aggressive Negotiation and Trial Plan
Work with Your Doctors to Document Injuries
Our local roots in Zephyrhills also give us unique insight into regional traffic patterns and high-risk zones.
📝 Steps to Take After a DUI Truck Accident
If you’re injured by a drunk or drug-impaired truck driver:
Call Police Immediately: This ensures a full accident and DUI report.
Get Medical Care ASAP: Even minor symptoms may worsen over time.
Take Photos & Video: Scene conditions, vehicle damage, and the truck’s license plate.
Do Not Talk to the Trucking Company: Their goal is to limit their liability.
Call Brewer Law Firm: We’ll preserve evidence and protect your legal rights from day one.
Florida Laws on Commercial Vehicle Liability
Under Florida Statutes § 316.302, commercial motor vehicles must comply with federal safety standards. In personal injury litigation:
Comparative Fault applies (you can recover damages even if partially at fault).
Vicarious Liability can hold companies accountable for their drivers’ negligence.
🛣️ DUI-Prone Routes in Zephyrhills
DUI truck crashes are more likely in areas with:
Late-night Industrial Deliveries
Alcohol Proximity to Work Zones
Heavy Commuter or Construction Traffic
High-risk routes include:
Gall Blvd (US-301)
Eiland Blvd
Wire Road
SR-54 Late-Night Delivery Zones
We’re familiar with these corridors and how to investigate them for liability evidence.
⌛ Statute of Limitations and Timing Issues
In Florida, you typically have four years to file a personal injury lawsuit, or two years in wrongful death cases. But DUI truck cases often involve:
Time-sensitive toxicology results
Surveillance footage that may be erased
Truck maintenance and employment records
Don’t wait. Brewer Law Firm can move swiftly to secure critical evidence.
❓ DUI Truck Accident FAQs
Q1: Can I sue the trucking company if their driver was drunk?
A: Yes. The employer can be held liable for hiring or retaining a driver with known substance issues.
Q2: What makes DUI truck cases different from regular DUI?
A: Truck drivers face stricter BAC limits, and cases often involve higher insurance limits and federal law violations.
Q3: Can I get more compensation because the driver was drunk?
A: Yes. You may qualify for punitive damages, in addition to standard compensation.
Q4: Do DUI charges help my civil case?
A: Yes. A criminal DUI conviction strengthens your civil injury claim.
Q5: What if the driver wasn’t convicted but still caused the crash?
A: You can still win a civil case with independent evidence of impairment.
Q6: What if I was a pedestrian or cyclist hit by the truck?
A: You still have full rights to pursue injury compensation under Florida law.
No Fee Unless We Win – Personal Injury Cases Only
We handle all DUI Truck Accident personal injury claims on a contingency fee basis, meaning:
You pay nothing unless we recover compensation on your behalf.
This policy applies exclusively to personal injury cases.
📞 Schedule a Free Case Review with Brewer Law Firm
Have you or a loved one been injured in a DUI truck accident? We offer:
✅ Free consultations
✅ Evening, weekend, and virtual appointments
✅ Home and hospital visits available