Commercial Truck and Train Collide in South Florida
Even at relatively low speeds, an accident involving two vehicles with substantial masses—like a locomotive and a heavy truck—will almost inevitably lead to injuries for any drivers or passengers who are unlucky enough to be inside. This morning (August 24), the Sun Sentinel is reporting that a Publix tractor-trailer was struck by a freight train in Deerfield Beach.
Fortunately, no injuries are being reported—although, you should always consult a physician after being involved in any major accident, even if you aren’t in pain at the time of the incident. It would appear from a statement released by the Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue that the cab portion of the tractor-trailer had already cleared the tracks at the time of impact.
“The refrigerated Publix truck, which was traveling eastbound could not clear the railroad tracks in time and was struck by the locomotive.” – Battalion Chief Michael Kane.
The individuals involved in the accident that occurred near the intersection of Southwest 10th Street and Hillsborough Boulevard were very lucky, as the potential for injury with this type of commercial vehicle accident is high.
Train Accidents in Florida
According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) train accident injuries are relatively rare when compared with other types of motor vehicle accidents. In 2016, the DHSMV reports that of the 339 people involved in railway vehicle accidents, only 55 were killed or injured. Accidents involving commercial vehicles, however, claim a much larger share of Florida’s accident injuries.
Commercial Truck Accidents with Injuries
According to the same 2016 DHSMV report, 842 individuals were injured in accidents involving light, medium, and heavy trucks and 2,579 were injured or possibly injured in motor vehicle accidents involving buses (presumably because of the greater passenger loads).
Accidents Involving Cars and Commercial Vehicles
While the DHSMV doesn’t keep specific statistics for collisions involving cars vs. trains or cars vs. tractor-trailers, we know from the relative weight disparities that the potential for injuries—particularly with regard to the drivers and passengers in cars—is high. Commercial vehicles can weigh anywhere from 6,000 to over 40,000 lbs, while the average weight of a car is approximately 4,000 lbs.
Recovering From Accident Injuries
So far, the news from the Deerfield Beach train accident has been relatively good in that there were no reported injuries, but that’s not always the case when it comes to South Florida traffic crashes. And recovery from a car accident can be a long and arduous process. Even moderate injuries can result in tens of thousands of dollars in medical expenses, lost wages, and property damage, and insurance companies are notorious for underpaying claims. It often requires working with an experienced car accident lawyer to make a full and fair financial recovery.
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