Author Archives: Jay Butchko
Are Freight Brokers Liable After A Tractor-Trailer Crashes?
Many Floridians do not know that if they are involved in a crash with a commercial truck, they can file suit against not only the driver, but against any other defendant whose conduct was both reasonably foreseeable and a plausible cause of their injuries. In other words, they may seek damages from the driver,… Read More »
Maitland I-4 Ramp Closed After Chemical Leak
In May 2026, Maitland police and fire personnel had to be on hand after a commercial vehicle overturned on the I-4 on-ramp. The vehicle was carrying chemicals, and while only a small leak was reported, law enforcement are advising people to avoid the area. Thankfully, no casualties were reported, but chemical leaks and spills… Read More »
Coral Springs Crash Blocks Sawgrass Express
In May 2026, a tractor-trailer rear-ended a dump truck on the Sawgrass Expressway in Broward County. As a result, the tractor-trailer spun out and struck the barrier, spilling its cargo of drywall. While no injuries or fatalities were reported, two lanes going each way on the road were shut down for a significant period… Read More »
Supreme Court Declines To Hear FL Case Targeting Undocumented Commercial Drivers
In 2025, three people were killed when a truck driver attempted to make a U-turn on Florida’s Turnpike and collided with a van. The driver was charged with vehicular homicide and manslaughter under state law. However, the state of Florida also attempted to file suit against the states of Washington and California for alleged… Read More »
Tractor-Trailer Accidents & Wrongful Death In Florida
Tractor-trailer accidents occur on Florida roads with unfortunate regularity, and when these accidents happen, they are disproportionately likely to cause fatalities. If you have lost a loved one in this type of crash, you and your family may feel powerless to react to such a sudden tragedy. However, you may be able to seek… Read More »
Tractor-Trailer Driver Sought In Hillsborough Hit & Run
In early April 2026, a tractor-trailer driver accidentally struck and killed a motorcyclist who had been attempting to pass his vehicle on I-4. The motorcyclist had tried to weave between the tractor-trailer and another vehicle, then apparently lost control and fell off his vehicle just as the tractor-trailer struck him. He was pronounced dead… Read More »
Explaining Common Carrier Liability In Florida
Commercial vehicles are regularly involved in road accidents in Florida. If a person is injured in this type of crash and suffers a permanent injury, they may try to seek damages from the vehicle’s driver (and in some cases, their employer). However, when injured plaintiffs try to bring these suits alone, they often neglect… Read More »
Commercial Vehicle Accidents & Florida’s No-Fault System
As of 2025, nine U.S. states follow a no-fault auto insurance system, with a handful of others offering it as a choice for drivers to make individually. Florida is one of those states which mandates a no-fault system, which means that all Florida drivers must carry a certain amount of property damage liability (PDL)… Read More »
Non-Economic Damages In Commercial Vehicle Crashes
When a commercial motor vehicle (CMV or CV) collides with another car or truck, the damages to the smaller vehicle and its occupants can be catastrophic. If the injuries are ‘significant and permanent,’ the driver and passengers can bypass Florida’s no-fault system and file suit against the CV driver and their employer. Unlike in… Read More »
Driver Claims Brakes Failed In Crash With School Bus
In early April 2026, a crash between a tractor-trailer and a school bus occurred on Zoo Parkway in Duval County. The driver of the tractor-trailer lost control of his vehicle, colliding with a school bus full of kindergarteners and sending at least four to the hospital, while others were treated at the scene. Two… Read More »
