Bridge collapse in Miami highlights bystander dangers

Most of the time, the ones injured in construction accidents are those who work in construction. However, you and other Florida residents should understand that pedestrians, drivers and others who happen to be near a construction accident when it occurs can also be seriously injured or killed.

A recent accident in Miami, which you are probably familiar with, tragically proves this point. A bridge being built across a road near Florida International University received accolades for its innovative construction method, but unfortunately the construction resulted in an unfathomable tragedy.

Collapse claims six lives

You may have read that the bridge design should have made it safer for pedestrians to cross an extremely busy and dangerous section of the road. However, when the bridge unexpectedly collapsed over the roadway, 960 tons of concrete and metal buried several vehicles stopped at a red light underneath. One construction worker and five people inside the crushed cars suffered fatal injuries.

The cause of the accident still unknown

In the weeks since the tragedy, local and federal authorities, including the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Highway Administration, have launched investigations. Despite exhaustive research, nobody knows for certain what factors led to the collapse. Reportedly, the bridge fell while workers were tightening the suspension cables. You may also have heard that numerous people expressed concern about a crack in the bridge before the accident. Officials held meetings to determine the risk that the fissure posed, although they are unsure if the crack was to blame.

Hopefully, investigators will be able to discover how the accident occurred in order to prevent future tragedies. The outcome, including potential lawsuits and construction company liability, remains to be seen. It can be hoped that the responsible parties are held liable for the pain and loss that the surviving family members are experiencing.