South Florida Injury Attorneys Blog
Earlier this month, a pedestrian bridge on the campus of Florida International University collapsed, killing six and injuring several others. According to a recent news report, students and teachers on campus identified several cracks in the bridge before its collapse. However, no action seems to have been taken amid reports of the cracks.
As students prepared to go back to school four days after the tragic accident, the first lawsuits started to be filed. One man who was riding a bike near the bridge at the time of the collapse recently filed a Florida personal injury claim against the firm that designed the bridge as well as the company in charge of its construction.
The bridge was constructed using a new method of construction called accelerated bridge construction. While a former president of the American Society for Civil Engineers told reporters that accelerated bridge construction does not result in a more dangerous bridge once construction is complete, he did acknowledge that moving the bridge into place can put stress on the bridge, leaving it more vulnerable to collapse until final installation is complete.
Authorities are involved in a detailed investigation into the potential causes of the collapse, and they have not yet determined what they believe the cause to be. Governor Rick Scott has ceased all payment to the contractor responsible for building the bridge until more questions can be answered.
Florida Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Lawsuits
After an accident such as the tragic bridge collapse discussed above, the victims injured in the accident may pursue a personal injury lawsuit, seeking compensation for their injuries. In the event that an accident victim is killed, their personal representative can file a Florida wrongful death claim.
Under either circumstance, the plaintiff must establish that the defendant’s negligent actions were the cause of the injury or death. In cases involving a bridge collapse, it is likely that there will need to be several expert witnesses to assist the jury in understanding the complex issues in play. For example, when a jury is charged with determining whether a company was negligent in the construction of a bridge, a civil engineer may be necessary to explain what the company could have done differently to prevent the collapse.
Given the importance of expert witness testimony, Florida accident victims who are considering filing a claim should consult with a dedicated South Florida personal injury law firm with experience dealing with various expert witnesses.
Are You in Need of an Attorney?
If you or a loved one has recently been involved in an accident, you may be entitled to compensation through either a personal injury or a wrongful death lawsuit. The dedicated South Florida wrongful death attorneys at the law firm of Cecere Santana have extensive experience handling a wide range of personal injury cases, and they know what it takes to be successful on their clients’ behalf. To learn more, and to schedule your free consultation, call 800-753-5529 today.
More Blog Posts:
Court Finds Golf Cart Accident Was Covered Under Plaintiff’s Insurance Policy, Cecere Santana Injury Lawyers Blog, published February 9, 2018.
Who Pays in Uber and Lyft Accidents?, Cecere Santana Injury Lawyers Blog, published March 15, 2018.