Major Tanker Truck Accident Shuts Down I-95 in Miami-Dade County for Several Hours
According to a report from NBC 6 South Florida, a busy stretch of Interstate 95 (I-95) in Miami-Dade County was shut down for several hours after a tanker truck was involved in a bad crash. In this article, our Miami semi-truck accident attorney describes what is already known about this serious collision and discusses the additional safety risk posed by tanker trucks in Florida.
Tanker Truck Accident Shuts Down Highway in Miami-Dade County
As confirmed by NBC 6 South Florida, the southbound lanes on I-95 near NW 103rd Street in Miami-Dade County were shut down for several hours on the afternoon of Sunday, September 1st. A three-vehicle collision involving a pickup truck, a sedan, and a fuel tanker led to serious damage. The tanker truck overturned and a dangerous amount of fuel was spilled on the roadway. However, thankfully, only relatively minor injuries were reported. Emergency services personnel were able to control the scene without catastrophic harm. The tanker truck collision is still under an in-depth investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol.
Tanker Trucks Posed Heightened Safety Risks
All tractor trailer accidents have the potential to cause serious, even life-altering harm. At the same time, tanker trucks pose a heightened safety risk. These trucks typically transport fuel, oil, or other hazardous materials. Due to their size, weight, and the dangerous cargo that they carry, a crash involving a tanker can cause serious harm. Here are some of the key reasons:
- High Rollover Risk: Tanker trucks have a high center of gravity—even when compared to many other tractors trailers. They are a heightened risk of rollovers.
- Hazardous Cargo: The flammable or toxic materials often carried by tanker trucks can cause explosions, fires, or chemical spills if an accident happens.
- Extended Stopping Distance: Tanker trucks are often among the heaviest tractor trailers on the road. Due to their weight, tanker trucks require far longer distances to stop.
- Environmental Impact: Accidents involving tanker trucks can lead to large-scale environmental contamination—such as fuel spills—which require extensive cleanup efforts. In some cases, local residents may feel the adverse impacts. It could be a health issue.
- Specialized Handling: Tanker trucks have heavy, liquid cargo. They tend to drive a bit differently than other large commercial trucks. Indeed, the liquid cargo inside a tanker can shift during transport. It can affect a truck’s balance/stability in unexpected ways.
For fuel trucks—which are classified as hazardous material carriers due to the flammable nature of their cargo—the FMCSA mandates higher insurance coverage requirements. Specifically, the minimum liability insurance requirement for fuel trucks is $5,000,000. All companies that transport fuel must meet the federal/state insurance standards.
Get a Free Consultation With Our Miami, FL Semi-Truck Crash Attorney Today
At Pike & Lustig, LLP, our Miami semi-truck accident attorneys are aggressive, tireless representatives for justice. If you or your close family member was involved in a crash with a tanker truck, we are more than ready to help. Contact us today for a no cost, no obligation review of your case. With a legal office in Miami, we handle tanker truck accident claims throughout Southeast Florida, including in Miami-Dade County, Broward County, Palm Beach County, and Martin County.
Source:
nbcmiami.com/news/local/i-95-lanes-closed-nw-miami-dade/3406108/
