Living in Florida, you know that you have busy highways and roads that can be congested. Despite that, most people get where they’re going safely. Sometimes, the negligence of a driver leads to accidents, though, like it may have done in this case.
This accident shocked witnesses in Florida, as a tanker that had just filled up with fuel at the Port of Tampa collided with another vehicle and caught on fire. The explosion resulted in the driver of the tanker suffering from life-threatening injuries including second- and third-degree burns. Nearby, a bridge wall that was under construction was potentially damaged by the blast, and the driver of the utility truck that was struck also suffered from injuries.
The accident took place when the truck, which was carrying thousands of gallons of fuel, struck the utility vehicle just after midnight. After the crash, the fuel began spilling out, and it ignited. That resulted in the fire that took over the vehicle and sent flames wide around the area.
It’s not clear what caused the accident, and witnesses had conflicting accounts of what happened, so police haven’t been able to determine which party was at fault. Whichever person is responsible may have civil or criminal charges placed, depending on the cause of the accident. Investigators were at the scene, and environmental cleanup crews also came to help clean up the spilled fuel.
If you’ve been injured in an accident like this one, it’s important to discuss your case with someone who can help you determine the compensation you need. You need to consider how much the damage to your vehicle will cost along with the cost of lost wages, medical bills and other needs.
Source: Tampa Bay Times, “Driver of tanker truck badly burned after crash in St. Petersburg (w/video)” Zachary Sampson, Jan. 06, 2015
