A toll plaza accident in Orlando can happen in an instant. Florida has one of the largest toll road systems in the country, and the mix of slowing traffic, SunPass lanes, and merging vehicles creates conditions where rear-end crashes and sideswipe accidents are common. If you were hurt at a toll plaza, you may have more options than you think.
Why Toll Plaza Accidents Happen
Florida’s toll roads handle millions of vehicles each week. The shift from cash booths to all-electronic tolling has changed traffic patterns, but it has not eliminated danger. Several factors lead to toll plaza accidents:
• Sudden braking — drivers who are unfamiliar with the road or distracted may slam on their brakes as they approach a toll zone
• SunPass lane confusion — drivers who miss their lane make abrupt lane changes, cutting off other vehicles
• Speed differential — when SunPass lanes allow higher speeds and cash or TOLL-BY-PLATE lanes require stopping, the speed gap creates a collision risk
• Distracted driving — fumbling for cash or checking SunPass accounts while driving
The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) tracks crash data on state roads, including toll corridors. Rear-end collisions are among the most common crash types in toll plaza accidents. In many cases, the at-fault driver simply was not paying attention to slowing traffic ahead.
Who Is Liable After a Toll Plaza Crash
Liability in a toll plaza accident in Orlando depends on the specific facts. In most cases, the driver who struck you from behind bears responsibility. Florida follows a modified comparative negligence rule, which means you can recover damages as long as you are found to be 50% or less at fault.
However, other parties may share liability. If a SunPass lane malfunctioned — causing signals to fail or gates to malfunction unexpectedly — the operator of the toll system may be partly responsible. Florida’s Turnpike is operated by the Florida Department of Transportation, while private operators manage other toll roads. When a government entity owns the roadway and its poor design or maintenance contributed to the crash, claims can be filed under Florida Statute § 768.28, which allows limited lawsuits against government agencies.
Equipment failures, confusing signage, poor lighting at nighttime toll plazas, and inadequate lane markings can all point to third-party liability beyond the at-fault driver. An Orlando car accident attorney can investigate these angles quickly.
How an Attorney Can Help You Recover
Toll road accidents often involve complex liability questions that go beyond a simple two-car crash. Commercial vehicles, rental cars, and rideshare drivers all pass through toll plazas daily. If one of them caused your crash, additional insurance coverage may apply. Our firm handles rideshare accident cases and knows how to navigate layered insurance policies.
After a toll plaza crash, gather as much evidence as you can. The toll authority may have surveillance video of the crash — but that footage is typically preserved for only a short time. Your attorney can send a legal hold notice to preserve it. You should also get the official crash report from the Florida Highway Patrol.
Our vehicle accident attorneys pursue compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and property damage. Toll road crashes can cause serious injuries. When fatalities occur, we handle wrongful death claims for surviving families.
The Florida Turnpike Enterprise monitors nearly 900 cameras across the Turnpike system. That footage and traffic management data can be key evidence in a crash case.
Do not settle a toll plaza injury claim without speaking to an attorney first. Insurance companies often offer less than your case is worth.
Call 407-846-2240 for a free consultation with an Orlando car accident attorney at the Martinez Manglardi personal injury law firm. Convenient locations throughout Central Florida, including Orlando, Kissimmee, Apopka, Palm Bay, Ocala, Haines City, and Davenport.
