Major Semi-Truck Crash Shuts Down Florida’s Turnpike in St. Lucie County

A serious crash involving a semi-truck has shut down all southbound lanes of Florida’s Turnpike in St. Lucie County on Thursday, September 11, 2025.

According to Florida 511, the crash happened just before Mile Marker 141, with congestion stretching well beyond Exit 142 at Port St. Lucie Boulevard. Emergency crews are on scene, but as of 12:15 p.m., no estimated time for reopening has been provided.

Traffic cameras show extensive backups, and authorities are urging drivers to avoid the area or seek alternate routes until lanes reopen.

Legal Considerations in Semi-Truck Crashes

Crashes involving large commercial vehicles like semi-trucks are often more complex than standard car accidents. Because semi-trucks can weigh up to 80,000 pounds when fully loaded, collisions typically cause catastrophic injuries or fatalities. In Florida, when negligence by a truck driver or trucking company causes a crash, multiple legal claims may arise.

Potential issues that can create liability include:

• Negligent Driving – If the semi-truck driver was speeding, distracted, or made an improper lane maneuver, they may be held directly responsible.
• Violations of Federal Trucking Regulations – Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) rules regulate hours of service, load limits, and maintenance. Any violations may serve as evidence of negligence.
• Employer Liability – Under Florida’s legal doctrine of respondeat superior, trucking companies may be held responsible for their drivers’ actions when performed within the scope of employment.
• Negligent Maintenance or Equipment Failure – Semi-trucks require regular inspections and maintenance. Faulty brakes, tires, or lighting systems may create additional liability for the trucking company or a third-party maintenance provider.

Potential Claims for Victims

Those injured in a truck crash, or families who lose loved ones, may be entitled to pursue claims such as:

• Personal Injury Claims: Compensation for medical expenses, lost income, rehabilitation costs, pain and suffering, and diminished quality of life.
• Wrongful Death Claims: If the crash results in fatalities, surviving family members may seek damages under Florida Statutes §768.21, including loss of companionship, financial support, and funeral expenses.
• Product Liability Claims: If defective truck components (brakes, tires, or steering systems) contributed to the crash, victims may have claims against manufacturers or distributors.

Truck accidents are rarely straightforward. Trucking companies and insurers often deploy rapid-response teams to the scene to limit liability and preserve evidence in their favor. For victims and families, retaining experienced legal counsel quickly is critical to:

• Secure crash scene photographs, dashcam or surveillance video, and black box (ECM) data from the truck
• Obtain driver logbooks, GPS records, and employer safety policies
• Ensure compliance with federal preservation requirements before evidence is lost or destroyed

At Flanagan & Bodenheimer Injury & Wrongful Death Law Firm, we have successfully represented clients in catastrophic trucking accident cases across Florida. Our attorneys understand the complexities of trucking regulations, corporate liability, and wrongful death law, and we fight to hold negligent drivers and companies fully accountable.

We handle every case with compassion, covering all upfront costs, and only collect fees if we secure compensation for you.

If you or a loved one were injured in a semi-truck accident on Florida’s Turnpike or elsewhere in the state, you may have legal rights to pursue significant compensation. Don’t wait for insurance companies to dictate the outcome of your claim.

Contact Flanagan & Bodenheimer Injury & Wrongful Death Law Firm today for a free consultation.