A truck crash can affect every aspect of your life for months or even years to come. You may find yourself facing expensive medical bills, an inability to work, and considerable pain, fear, and frustration.
If you suffered injuries in a collision, Meldon Law’s truck accident attorneys in Ocala can advocate for what you need, all while offering endless compassion and support. Contact us today to begin your free, no-strings-attached case review and learn more about working with our Ocala personal injury attorneys.
Why Truck Accident Victims Trust Our Firm
Not all truck accident firms are created equal. Some make promises they can’t keep, guaranteeing seven-figure outcomes that never manifest. Others require upfront payment, putting injured people in deeper financial straits. You don’t have to worry about that with us.
Attorney Jeffrey Meldon founded Meldon Law in 1971. We’ve grown over the years from one office in Gainesville to serving all Floridians through multiple offices around the state, including one in Ocala on S. Pine Ave.
We treat our clients like family and serve each individual with compassion and integrity. We look at what we do as our calling, rather than our job. In our law firm, we’re proud to conduct ourselves in the established Meldon C.A.R.E.S. way through:
- Compassion
- Accountability
- Reliability
- Excellence
- Success-driven representation
We believe that experience matters and only hire qualified litigators as associates. You will never have an inexperienced attorney fighting for you. Our team stays current on new developments in the trucking industry, relevant laws, and technology. We apply any newfound knowledge to each case we handle.
We Support the Ocala Community
Our law firm supports individual causes and programs in communities throughout Florida. We’ve also created programs in-house that are near to our hearts. Here’s how we go the extra mile to serve our friends and neighbors:
Supporting the Florida Gators
We are proud to be the only official law firm partner of the Florida Gators. However, our advocacy doesn’t stop there. We help both students and residents who have been injured in Ocala and throughout the state. Our truck crash lawyers take the same dedication we have for our Gators and use it to fight for our friends and neighbors after preventable accidents.
Educating the Community
Knowledge is something to be shared, not hoarded. So, we spend a significant amount of time educating others about their legal rights. We do this through:
- Books
- Podcasts
- Blogs
- Talk shows
- Consumer guides
There’s power in knowledge, and we want every Floridian to understand their options.
Offering Our Scholar-Athlete Program
For a quarter of a century, we’ve provided scholarships to high school seniors who demonstrate āacademic rigor and athletic excellence.ā
Maintaining the Veterans Making a Difference Program
Meldon Law and CBS4 News have partnered to honor veterans and veteran organizations making a positive impact on their communities. We provide a $500 cash award and a customized plaque to those selected in recognition of their efforts.
We Are Built on Decades of Client Success
When you entrust us with your case, you benefit from our injury lawyers’ years of combined legal experience. For more than 50 years, we’ve recovered millions for injured claimants, including victims of crashes involving commercial trucks and vehicles.
Compensation We Fight for After a Truck Accident
Depending on the specifics of your case, you could be entitled to both economic and non-economic damages.
Economic damages include financial losses, such as:
- Medical bills for treatment already received
- Estimated costs of treatment you may need in the future
- Wages you lost from missing work
- Estimated future lost earnings if you cannot return to your prior position due to your injury
- Property damage, including your vehicle and personal property you had with you at the time of the accident
Non-economic losses refer to your non-financial losses. We consider the severity of your condition and its effect on your life, which means we include all potential damages, such as:
- Pain and suffering
- Mental trauma, including post-traumatic stress disorder
- Permanent disabilities and impairments, such as from a traumatic brain injury or a paralyzing spinal cord injury
- Decreased quality of life
- Loss of consortium
Properly calculating your claim’s value can be complicated, especially since many losses from serious injuries are intangible and not directly associated with financial losses. When you call for your free consultation, we’ll talk about what damages you could recover. They should account for your past, present, and future losses.
Our Florida truck accident lawyers can determine your claim’s value and pursue that from the liable party.
How Our Lawyers Manage Complicated Truck Accident Cases in Ocala
Truck accident cases are often more complex than other accident cases. After a crash with a large truck, the case isn’t resolved by simply calling the other driver’s insurance company and making a claim. Instead, you typically must square off with trucking corporations armed with legal teams and insurance representatives.
You must have a strong case for liability, which can be difficult as multiple parties can cause or contribute to a truck crash. We know how to establish the liable party and hold them responsible. Depending on the circumstances of your accident, the liable party(s) could include:
- The truck driver
- The truck’s owner(s)
- The company that employs the driver
- Trucking company managers
- Cargo loaders
- Individuals or companies responsible for truck maintenance
- The truck manufacturer or truck parts manufacturer
Our Attorneys Gather the Evidence Needed to Prove Your Case
To build a strong case, the truck crash lawyers at Meldon Law need compelling information to show how the other party’s negligence led to your accident. Examples include:
- The accident report from the Ocala Police Department
- Photos and videos of the accident scene
- Accident reconstruction data
- The truck’s black box data
- The trucker’s driving logs
- Any alcohol or drug test results
- Traffic camera/dash cam footage
- Admissions made at the accident scene
- Witness testimony
- Your medical records
Some of this evidence is in the hands of the trucking company. Our attorneys will draft a spoliation letter, demanding that the trucking company preserve and hand over relevant evidence.
This step is critical to building a case that holds the defendant(s) mostly or entirely liable. This is because any fault assigned to you will decrease the compensation you can recover. If you are assigned the majority of the fault, you can’t recover a single dollar.
You Pay Nothing Upfront to Partner With Our Ocala Truck Accident Team
We offer free case evaluations to potential clients. During that time, we learn about your case and answer your questions. If it seems like a good fit for you and our firm, we move forward with your case, working on a contingency-fee basis. This means that you pay no attorneys’ fees unless and until we recover a settlement or verdict.
We Investigate the Cause of Your Truck Accident
Learning the cause of your traffic accident is imperative because it helps us determine fault and liability. We may find one or more of the following contributed to your truck accident:
- Speeding
- Distracted driving
- Driving while impaired by drugs or alcohol
- Driving while fatigued
- Failing to adapt driving to adverse weather conditions
- Failing to comply with federal regulations
- Overloaded or unsecured cargo
- Negligent hiring practices
- Inadequate truck driver training
"Some of the staff have been there for many years and they always make me feel welcomed when I contact them. They have been so much help over the years. Meldon Lawās knowledge and experience always gets the job done right and my results haven amazing."
Catherine P.
December 2024
"It has been a real pleasure to deal with Jeffery and Stacy. Jeffery is all about his clients. What is best for the clients well being. He is a great attorney. If you need an accident attorney or a referral this is the man to be talking with. He will now be my attorney for life. Jeffery and Stacy, thank you ever so much."
Hazel J.
March 2025
"Jeffrey and his team were great throughout the whole process of my settlement for an auto accident! They handled everything which made it much easier on me! They were able to navigate the ins and outs of the insurance companies and helped me receive my settlement in a timely manner! Great customer service all around. Would definitely recommend them! They made it much easier to move on from my auto accident! Thanks again!"
Justin W.
April 2024
"My first experience with meldon was amazing. The whole staff willing to talk and listen. They were very helpful and guided me threw the whole process. If you went anywhere else Iām sorry for you !!!!!"
Jabari A.
June 2024
You Have a Limited Time to Act After a Truck Crash
Per Florida Statute Ā§ 95.11, you have only two years to file a personal injury lawsuit. If you overstep the statute of limitations, you could lose the right to seek damages.
You don’t have to worry about deadlines with Meldon Law managing your case. We take care of all time-sensitive aspects and preserve your right to damages. Yet, we must learn about your situation before we can start advocating for you. For that reason, we encourage you to contact us as soon as possible.
Our Truck Accident Lawyers Manage the Claims Process
Trucking companies and their insurers will often fight tooth and nail to avoid responsibility for a crash. Even when the evidence points to negligence, they may deny liability or use tactics designed to reduce the value of your claim.
They may try to:
- Offer a quick settlement before you have legal representation
- Wait until medical bills and other expenses begin piling up before making an offer
- Pressure you into giving a recorded statement shortly after the accident, before you fully understand the extent of your injuries
At Meldon Law, our Ocala trucking accident attorneys know the strategies trucking companies and their insurers use to protect their bottom line. We know how to counter these tactics by building a strong case, proving liability, and fighting for the full and fair compensation you deserve.
What You Should Do After a Truck Crash
Trucking accidents often cause catastrophic injuries, which can be fatal without prompt medical care. Because of this, getting treatment for your injuries should be the first thing on your mind after an accident. This is extremely important, as you could have internal injuries that you may not even be aware of until it’s too late.
Your next step should be to contact your insurance company and inform them of the accident. However, avoid talking to the truck driver’s insurance company. Instead, have one of our experienced truck accident attorneys help you with this part. You need to focus on your recovery. You canāt do that if youāre dealing with insurance adjusters trying to trip you up.
How Federal Trucking Laws and Safety Violations Affect Your Case
Federal trucking regulations exist to protect everyone on the road. When trucking companies or drivers fail to follow these rules and cause a serious crash, those violations can play a major role in determining liability after a crash.
Underride Guard Requirements
Federal law requires most semi-trucks to be equipped with underride guards, also called rear impact guards. These guards hang from the back of a truck and are designed to prevent smaller vehicles from sliding underneath the trailer. When underride guards are missing, improperly installed, or poorly maintained, the results are often catastrophic.
Underride crashes frequently cause severe, life-altering injuries because the upper portion of a passenger vehicle can be crushed or torn away. Victims may suffer:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Amputations
- Internal organ damage and internal bleeding
- Severe burns and nerve damage
- Broken bones
- Fatal injuries
While passenger vehicles are most commonly affected, motorcyclists, bicyclists, and pedestrians can also be trapped beneath a commercial truck, especially when a truck is turning, backing up, or stopping suddenly.
When a truck lacks required underride protection or the equipment fails to meet safety standards, the trucking companyāand potentially other partiesāmay be held accountable for the harm caused.
Trucking Company Safety Obligations
Trucking companies have a legal duty to keep their vehicles in safe operating condition. Federal and state maintenance regulations require them to regularly inspect, repair, and maintain all trucks under their control. This includes critical components, such as:
- Braking systems
- Steering and suspension
- Axles, wheels, and rims
- Frames and frame assemblies
Companies must also maintain detailed inspection and maintenance records, comply with rules governing electronic logging devices and speed-limiting systems, and ensure underride guards meet safety requirements. Failures in any of these areas can point directly to negligence.
Driver Inspection Responsibilities
Commercial truck drivers also play a critical role in safety. Before operating a vehicle, drivers are required to inspect key systems and report any problems. These inspections typically include checking:
- Brakes, tires, and wheels
- Lights, signals, and mirrors
- Steering and transmission
- Emergency equipment and gauges
- Cargo securement and underride protection
When drivers or employers ignore these responsibilities, dangerous trucks stay on the road, and innocent people pay the price.
Hours of Service Regulations
Federal hours of service (HOS) regulations limit how long commercial truck drivers can operate before taking mandatory breaks and rest periods. These rules are intended to reduce fatigue, which can slow reaction times, impair judgment, and increase the risk of serious crashes.
In general, federal regulations require most property-carrying commercial drivers to:
- Drive no more than 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off duty
- Stop driving after being on duty for 14 consecutive hours
- Take a 30-minute break after eight cumulative hours of driving
Most commercial trucks use electronic logging devices (ELDs) to track driving hours, but some drivers and trucking companies violate these rules by falsifying records or pushing drivers to stay on the road longer than legally allowed.
If a truck driver exceeded federal driving limits or a trucking company encouraged hours of service violations, that evidence may help establish negligence and strengthen your injury claim.
Regulations Against Drinking and Driving
Commercial truck drivers are held to stricter standards than other motorists when it comes to alcohol use. Under federal law, a commercial driver cannot operate a commercial vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.04% or higher, half the legal limit for passenger vehicle drivers. Drivers are also prohibited from consuming alcohol within four hours of going on duty.
Driving under the influence slows reaction times, impairs judgment, and significantly increases the risk of devastating accidents. If alcohol played a role in the crash, evidence such as police reports, toxicology results, and witness statements can help establish negligence.
Regulations Against Texting and Driving
Federal regulations prohibit commercial truck drivers from texting while operating a commercial motor vehicle. Drivers are also prohibited from holding or using a handheld mobile phone while driving, except in limited emergency situations.
Even a few seconds of distraction can have catastrophic consequences when an 80,000-pound truck is traveling at highway speeds. Phone records, electronic logging data, dash camera footage, and other evidence may help show that a distracted truck driver violated federal safety regulations and caused the collision.
Get Help from Our Truck Accident Lawyers Today
If you were injured in a tractor-trailer accident, seek legal help right away. You can receive compensation for your medical bills, lost income, vehicle damage, pain and suffering, and other damages.
Our Ocala truck accident attorneys at Meldon Law stand up for the rights of truck accident victims throughout Florida, as we have done since 1971. Call us today for a free consultation. If you are not able to come into our office, we will be happy to come to you.
We are fully committed to seeking the best possible outcome for every client, and we take pride in helping you during this challenging time.
Frequently Asked Questions About Truck Accident Cases in Ocala
Will I Have to File a Lawsuit to Recover Damages?
Few injury claims make it to trial, even if settlement negotiations with the insurance company fail and we file a lawsuit.
If the insurance company refuses to offer a settlement that appropriately covers your losses or we determine that it is the best route to get the compensation you deserve, your truck accident attorney will discuss filing a personal injury lawsuit. If you decide to move forward, be aware that there are lots of steps to the litigation process, but you don’t need to worry. Our 18-wheeler accident lawyers in Ocala can handle each of them.
How Long Does It Take to Resolve a Truck Accident Case in Ocala?
How long it takes to resolve your personal injury case depends on many factors, including:
- The insurance company’s willingness to settle
- The evidence available
- Issues regarding fault and liability
- The number of involved parties
- The amount of compensation you’re requesting
We’re familiar with the tactics that some insurance companies use to unfairly deny claims. Our decades of experience dealing with high-powered insurers empower us to seek the best outcome possible.
How Much Can I Recover?
How much you can recover for your accident-related losses, just like your case’s timeline, depends on your situation. As noted, we consider various aspects of your situation when determining what constitutes a fair settlement value. It’s important to note that Florida law does not limit how much you can seek for non-economic damages. So, there is no limit to what you can request for your hardships.
Meldon Law
Address: 1326 S Pine Ave, Ocala, FL 34471, United States
Phone: 352-373-8000
Opening Hours: Call Us 24/7 For Legal Help
