Item: Flaxman Law Group
Rating: 5
Author: Clara Barman

An Unusual Reason for Truck Driver Injury Is More Common At This Time of Year

Published on: November 25, 2015 | By Flaxman Law Group

Miami-Dade police are looking for people involved in the reported theft of two semi-truck trailers from a Costco parking lot. The trailers contained what is reported to be about $18,000 worth of Christmas trees. According to authorities, trailers had a pin lock and satellite tracking. However, the pin lock may not have been engaged and the tracking was disabled at some point during the night of the theft.

This incident highlights a disturbing trend occurring during the holidays; trailer and cargo thefts. The cargo in trailers sometimes represents a significant temptation for thieves, since the cargo headed for customers and stores can usually be sold for profits. Electronics are one of the most commonly stolen cargo items, although food and drink and pharmaceutical shipments are also commonly targeted.

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Helping Your Child Move into Dorms Safely

Published on: August 19, 2015 | By Flaxman Law Group

If your child is headed to college this fall, they may be excited about moving into their off-campus apartment or their dorm rooms. However, moving day can be quite chaotic, especially on busy Florida campuses where many other college students are also moving in. There are extra pedestrians around, students with cars, and rental trucks all converging in what is usually a small space, increasing the odds of a serious truck or car accident.

There are several ways that you can make moving day a little easier for your child:

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Moving? Here’s what You Need to Know about Moving Trucks

Published on: August 7, 2015 | By Flaxman Law Group

At this time of year, many moving companies report a busy season. College students are moving into their dorm rooms and many families are taking advantage of the final few weekends to move before the start of the school season.

If you’re moving this year, you may be thinking about renting a moving truck or moving trailer. While this can be an economical way to move house, it also poses some dangers. Each year, families are seriously injured or even killed in moving truck accidents in Hollywood and Florida.

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How Lost Cargo from Trucks Can Cause Multiple Crashes

Published on: June 9, 2015 | By Flaxman Law Group

You’ve probably seen them on Hollywood and Florida highways: large commercial trucks and semi-trailers carrying large amounts of cargo. You may have even seen some of this cargo spilling on the side of the road because it was improperly secured.

Under federal laws, truck drivers and trucking companies are expected to take the proper steps to secure their cargo to keep you and other users of the roads safe. In addition, drivers are expected to periodically stop to make sure that their cargo is still secured to their truck or trailer.

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Dangerous Cargo in Trucking Collisions

Published on: March 17, 2015 | By Flaxman Law Group

Any trucking collision in Homestead or Florida can be terrifying. However, when your trucking collision involves a hazmat carrier, you may find yourself facing even more serious injuries or problems. The Department of Transportation estimates that about 200 fatal trucking accidents that occur annually involve hazmat carriers. These are carriers that are permitted to carry hazardous materials (HAZMAT).

Due to the dangerous nature of the materials involved, trucking collisions involving these carriers can even more catastrophic. Trucks carrying hazardous materials may be carrying:

Gasoline
Compressed oxygen cylinders
Petroleum products
Flammable oils
Compressed gases
Flammable chemicals or other liquids
Chemical liquids and gases
Nuclear materials or other radioactive materials
Hazardous waste

In the event of a collision, this type of hazardous cargo can become especially dangerous. If it is flammable, it can leak onto the road, explode, or catch fire. It can expose bystanders and other drivers to radiation, chemical burns, or toxic fumes.

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Dangerous Cargo a Risk for Trucking Accidents in Homestead and other Cities

Published on: January 14, 2015 | By Flaxman Law Group

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.

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Toxic Cargo a Deadly Danger on Florida and U.S. Streets

Published on: December 18, 2014 | By Flaxman Law Group

In Miami and across the country, tractor trailers and big rigs are tasked with transporting dangerous and hazardous chemicals – including fertilizers, fuel, flammable materials, and toxic chemicals – across long distances. There are many dangers linked to trucks carrying cargo:

1) Cargo spills.

Cargo spills of any kind can lead to debris on the roads of Miami and other communities, potentially causing secondary accidents. When dangerous cargo spills, however, it can cause severe damage, including poisoning bystanders. In some cases, spilled toxic cargo can cause fires or can remain on the road and in the ground for weeks or months, despite efforts to clean it up.

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Overweight Cargo Means a Huge Danger on Hollywood and Florida Roads

Published on: November 25, 2014 | By Flaxman Law Group

Trucks transport tens of thousands of pounds of cargo each trip. These trucks transport food, consumer products, clothing, and more. While this is a necessary part of the economy, however, when truck drivers and truck carriers overload their trucks they put other drivers and other users of the road at risk. Each year, overloaded trucks and cargo in Hollywood and across the country cause thousands of serious accidents.

There many reasons why overweight cargo is so dangerous. Overweight cargo places an additional burden on the tires, brakes, and other systems of a truck, meaning that mechanical failure is more likely. Overweight cargo can also shift easily, leading to an uneven distribution of weight. In some cases, cargo that is too heavy can cause a driver to lose control. In some cases, overloaded cargo can topple from a truck, causing secondary car accidents as debris crashes into other vehicles.

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Trucking Collisions in Pembroke Pines

Published on: September 17, 2014 | By Flaxman Law Group

Two serious trucking incidents occurred in Pembroke Pines this month. In the first incident, a large sinkhole opened up on Pines Boulevard, swallowing a large truck. The sinkhole opened up when a water main broke.

In another incident, a waste truck caught fire on the Interstate 75 in Pembroke Pines. Although the flames were quickly controlled, lanes on the highway were closed while fire fighters responded to the accident. The fire began when the truck – carrying petroleum-based roofing materials – caught fire. The incident highlights some of the dangers of hazardous cargo. Fire fighters noted that some types of petroleum-based roofing materials can spontaneously combust, especially in hot weather.

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Fuel Spills and Trucking Accidents in Florida: A Deadly Combination

Published on: September 2, 2014 | By Flaxman Law Group

On August 27, a serious trucking collision on Interstate 75 in Florida’s Sarasota County caused a gasoline spill of 250 and 500 gallons. Both the truck driver and another driver were injured in the crash and the accident caused a secondary four-car collision as well. Firefighters placed foam over the gasoline to keep it from catching fire.

Fuel spill accidents such as these can quickly become deadly and are a serious concern when tankers carrying gasoline and other flammable materials are involved in a crash. The resulting collisions can cause:

1) Environmental and health damage.

Trucking accidents in Miami and other cities can cause serious health and environmental concerns when fuel spills are involved. The fuel can leak into underground water supplies or can cause health damage to nearby residents who may be breathing in the fumes. Those who are already ill may be even more vulnerable to the damage.

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