Unusual Tractor-Trailer Wreck Leaves I-95 … Milky?

A strange wreck in late January 2025, in Palm Beach County, left I-95 northbound covered in milk. A tractor-trailer hauling a cargo of 2% was involved in an accident with three other vehicles, causing the trailer to spill a total of around 4,160 gallons of milk all over the roadway. While this wreck was thankfully more amusing than dangerous, as no one was injured, crashes that involve cargo spills can cause real harm in a lot of different ways. It is never a bad idea to be careful driving behind a tractor-trailer.

Big Vehicles, Heavy Loads

Tractor-trailers are a common sight on Florida roads, hauling everything from milk to auto parts to lumber. As one might imagine, the strong majority of them make it to their destination with no problems – but it does not take much for an improperly secured load to cause an accident. Weight and balance are crucial in a tractor-trailer, and if the cargo is not “properly distributed and adequately secured,” accidents are infinitely more likely to happen.

When a load is not properly secured, it can shift in transit, which can affect the tractor-trailer’s center of gravity. A sudden avalanche of weight on one side of the tractor-trailer has the potential to tip it over, and the driver will not always have time to act quickly enough to right the cab. Alternatively, a failure to secure a load of cargo may simply mean it busts open the back door. Whether the ‘failure to secure’ is one missing strap or a total failure of storage systems, the results can be similar.

Establishing Liability

If you have been injured in an accident where a cargo spill occurred, know that tractor-trailer accident cases can be more difficult to navigate than standard negligence cases because there is the potential to have many different defendants involved. For example, in an accident between two private people, they most often simply exchange insurance information and move on. With a tractor-trailer, an injured plaintiff must determine whether or not they should sue the driver, their employer, the maintainer of the vehicle, the cargo loading company, and so on.

It can be confusing to decide who to file suit against after this kind of accident, but the right legal help can make a difference. In a crash like the one in Palm Beach County, involving multiple vehicles, it can be even more complex to determine just who should bear liability. However, difficult does not mean impossible, and a knowledgeable attorney can help navigate the legal process so that you have the best chance possible to recover for your injuries.

Call A Tampa Tractor-Trailer Accident Attorney

While the milk was cleaned up relatively quickly, other cargo spill accidents can be more serious and create more long-term issues. A Tampa tractor-trailer accident attorney from the Rinaldo Law Group can help you determine your options if you have been injured in this type of crash. Call us today to schedule a free consultation.

Source:

wptv.com/traffic/traffic-news/semi-crash-on-i-95-in-palm-beach-county-spills-4-160-gallons-of-milk