Driver Hospitalized After Crash With Dump Truck in Miami
According to a report from WSVN, one driver has been hospitalized after a collision with a dump truck in Miami. The cause of the accident was not immediately known and it is still under a more comprehensive investigation by law enforcement. Here, our Miami truck accident attorney provides a more comprehensive overview of the risks posed by dump trucks.
Why Dump Trucks Create a Serious Risk On Florida Roads
Dump trucks have the potential to be dangerous because they combine size, weight, height, limited visibility, and loose-load risks. Unlike ordinary passenger vehicles, dump trucks may carry gravel, sand, asphalt, demolition debris, soil, stone, or construction materials that can shift, spill, or affect braking and handling. Beyond that, many operate in work zones, construction entrances, rural roads, and urban corridors where traffic patterns change quickly. Their high clearance also creates serious underride and side-swipe risks. A dump truck crash can cause catastrophic injuries.
Dump Truck Accident Liability May Extend Beyond the Driver
In a Florida dump truck accident claim, liability may involve more than the person behind the wheel. The driver may be responsible for speeding, unsafe lane changes, following too closely, running a red light, failing to yield, distracted driving, or failing to account for the truck’s stopping distance. However, the trucking company, vehicle owner, contractor, loader, maintenance provider, broker, or construction site operator may also bear responsibility depending on the facts.
Note: Florida is a no-fault state, including for dump truck crashes. Your initial claim is through your own Personal Injury Protection (PIP) policy. Still, if you suffered a serious injury in a dump truck accident, you have the right to bring a fault-based claim against the responsible party.
An Investigation into Load Securement and Road Debris is a Must
Dump truck cases often turn on the load itself. Florida law requires loads on vehicles to be properly covered or secured so that materials do not escape and create a hazard. Florida Statutes § 316.520 addresses covering and securing loads, including use of a close-fitting tarpaulin or other appropriate covering or load-securing device for certain materials. Florida Statutes § 316.525 also imposes duties on owners, licensees, and drivers of trucks and trailers to use appropriate equipment, supports, chains, straps, or other devices to fasten loads securely.
Consult With Our Miami, FL Truck Accident Lawyer for a Free Consultation
At Pike & Lustig, LLP, our Miami truck accident attorneys are tireless advocates for justice. If you or your loved one was hurt in a crash involving a dump truck, we are here to help. Do not go it alone. Call us now or contact us online to set up a free, no obligation case review. With an office in Miami and an office in West Palm Beach, our firm handles truck accident cases throughout South Florida, including in Miami-Dade County and Broward County.
Source:
wsvn.com/news/local/miami-dade/driver-hospitalized-after-dump-truck-crash-on-i-95-in-miami/
