Earlier this month, a serious accident in Michigan highlighted the dangers of some types of dangerous cargo. In the chain reaction accident, which took place on a wintry interstate road, 193 vehicles were involved. More than a dozen people were injured in the incident, one fatally. About 76 commercial trucks were part of the collision.
One of those trucks was carrying fireworks. Unfortunately, in the accident a fire broke out and the fireworks were affected by the heat. Another truck was carrying 44,000 pounds of a dangerous acid known as formic acid. Hazmat teams had to be sent out after the collision caused the acid to leak.
Hazardous Cargo a Factor in the Severity of the Crash?
Authorities are still investigating all the causes of the accident, but obviously having trucks carrying hazardous cargo only contributed to the severity of the accident. Initial reports suggest that winter conditions may have played a role in the accident, since some vehicles were not able to stop in time due to icy conditions and slid into other vehicles.
Could This Type of Truck Accident Happen in Homestead or Elsewhere in Florida?
In Homestead and Florida, drivers obviously do not need to worry about wintry conditions or icy roads. That does not mean that this type of chain reaction truck accident could not happen, though. Multiple vehicle accidents happen very year in South Florida. Homestead and the rest of Florida also see their fair share of commercial trucks hauling dangerous cargo. Just because this latest accident took place in Michigan, it does not mean that this type of tragedy could not happen in South Florida.
Legislators and safety advocates have long spoken about the need to more carefully monitor commercial trucks, especially those carrying hazardous cargo. Properly screening drivers and overweight trucks as well as enforcing rules about inebriated driving, distracted driving, and fatigued driving could help reduce some of the preventable accidents that happen across the region each month.
Have You Been Injured in a Trucking Crash?
Have you been injured in a collision involving a tanker, tractor trailer, or big rig? If so, your case may be more complex than a claim involving another passenger car. Truck carriers are protected by large insurance companies and due to the seriousness of the injuries that usually result from trucking accidents, it’s not unusual for injured drivers to have a hard time getting fair compensation for their injuries.
If you have been injured in any trucking accident in South Florida, contact Flaxman Law Group immediately. Our attorneys have more than six decades of experience helping thousands of Florida plaintiffs recover more than $100 million for their injuries. We work with a team of investigators, engineers, accident reconstruction experts, medical consultants, and other experts to build strong cases so that our clients can move forward with confidence after their injury. Our law firm can take immediate steps to advise you of your legal rights and start protecting your interests. Your initial consultation with us is free and comes with no obligation, so contact us today to review your potential case.