29 Hurt, 13 Hospitalized After Tractor-Trailer Collides with 18 Vehicles on I-95 in Miami-Dade: Legal Options For Victims

Late Thursday night, chaos erupted on Interstate 95 in Miami-Dade County when a tractor-trailer barreled into congested traffic and set off a chain-reaction crash involving 18 vehicles. According to the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP), the wreck left 29 people injured, with 13 victims hospitalized, including three children.

The crash occurred around 11:25 p.m. near the Ives Dairy Road exit as traffic slowed along southbound I-95. FHP investigators said the tractor-trailer failed to stop in time, colliding with multiple passenger vehicles and triggering a domino effect across the congested lanes.

Miami-Dade Fire Rescue rushed to the scene, where they found vehicles with heavy damage scattered across the roadway. Among the injured:

• 13 patients hospitalized – including 9 adults and 3 children
• 1 adult listed as a trauma alert patient
• 16 additional victims evaluated at the scene who did not require hospitalization

Witnesses described the terrifying moment of impact. Luis Rodriguez, who was nearby, recalled hearing the sound of “tires screeching, banging, crashing” and said the air was filled with the smell of burning rubber. Emergency responders, including FHP, Miami-Dade Police, and Fire Rescue crews, worked quickly to secure the scene and treat victims.

Traffic was diverted onto Ives Dairy Road for several hours due to both debris and a fuel leak from the semi-truck. All lanes have since reopened.

Legal Questions After a Tractor-Trailer Pileup

This tragic mass-collision raises serious questions about liability, safety violations, and the rights of the victims. Tractor-trailers, because of their size and weight (up to 80,000 pounds when fully loaded), pose an enormous danger when drivers fail to control their vehicles.

Victims of this crash may have several legal avenues to pursue compensation:

If the driver was speeding, distracted, fatigued, or simply failed to maintain a safe following distance, they could be held liable for negligence. Even a few seconds of inattention at highway speeds can cause catastrophic harm when a tractor-trailer is involved.

Under the legal doctrine of respondeat superior, trucking companies are generally responsible for the negligent actions of their drivers if they were acting within the scope of their employment. Additionally, companies can face direct liability if they:

• Failed to properly train drivers on safe stopping distances
• Allowed unsafe hours-of-service practices, contributing to fatigue
• Neglected vehicle inspections and maintenance

If a mechanical failure such as defective brakes contributed to the crash, liability may extend to the manufacturer, maintenance provider, or trucking company responsible for upkeep.

With 29 victims, this crash could lead to multiple personal injury claims. Injured victims may seek damages for:

• Medical bills and rehabilitation costs
• Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional trauma

In the event of fatalities, surviving family members may also pursue wrongful death claims under the Florida Wrongful Death Act (§768.16-768.26) for funeral expenses, loss of financial support, and loss of companionship.

Florida law gives victims only two years from the date of the crash to file a negligence claim. However, trucking accidents are often highly complex, requiring investigation into:

• Electronic logging devices (ELDs) to determine hours-of-service compliance
• Black box data from the truck
• Surveillance video and witness testimony
• Maintenance and inspection records of the tractor-trailer

Because trucking companies and insurers act quickly to protect themselves, it’s critical for victims to retain an attorney immediately to preserve evidence and build a strong case.

At Flanagan & Bodenheimer Injury & Wrongful Death Law Firm, our truck accident attorneys have extensive experience handling multi-vehicle trucking accidents across Florida. We understand the devastating toll these crashes take on victims and families and are committed to holding negligent drivers, trucking companies, and insurers accountable.

If you or a loved one was injured in this I-95 tractor-trailer crash, call 305-638-4143 for a free, confidential consultation. We work on a contingency fee basis—you pay nothing unless we win compensation on your behalf.