Pickup drivers are responsible for securing items that they intend to haul in the bed of their trucks. Hauled loads that are not properly secured place all those who share the road with such a vehicle at risk. A recent Florida accident occurred when a wheelbarrow was said to have flown off the back of a pickup truck, leading to a chain reaction crash involving a tractor trailer and six automobiles. One person suffered serious personal injury in the crash.
The recent collision occurred in Miami-Dade County on Florida’s Turnpike. All lanes of traffic had to be shut down in the aftermath of the accident. A Highway Patrol officer who responded to the scene told local news crews that the incident was apparently caused by a pickup truck driver’s failure to secure the items he was hauling in the bed of his truck.
Reportedly, a wheelbarrow was dislodged from the truck-bed and a tractor trailer traveling behind the pickup was forced to swerve to avoid the airborne piece of equipment. The tractor trailer then overturned and landed on top of a car in the next lane. Five more cars were reported to have crashed in the moments that followed the first collision. One victim was transported to a nearby hospital in critical condition.
A paramedic who was commuting to work stopped to render aid and told reporters that the unfortunate series of crashes were all due to the unsecured load in the back of the pickup truck. Victims who suffer personal injury in a car accident caused by another driver’s negligence may pursue legal action in order to seek compensation for damages. Legal professionals are available in Florida who have experience in filing and litigating personal injury cases.
Source: local10.com, “6 cars, tractor-trailer involved in chain-reaction crash on Florida’s Turnpike“, Peter Burke, April 1, 2015
