Many residents of South Florida are unaware that the port of Miami, a.k.a. PortMiami, is a major international commercial shipping hub. Sometimes referred to as “the Cargo Gateway of the Americas,” PortMiami is recognized as one of the key logistical centers for container vessels handling trade from Latin America and the Caribbean. In fact, cargo trade with those two regions makes up for more than 50 percent of the Port’ s overall business.
In modern commercial shipping, the use of rectangular metal cargo containers have become the standard method in which cargo is transferred quickly between ships, trains and semi-trucks. Many of these containers are designed to roll on or off vehicles, while others can be lifted using cranes. Due the the perishable nature of certain goods like fruits and vegetables, shipping companies are often under pressure to move their products to markets quicklyfrom Latin America and the Caribbean to buyers here in the United States.
In addition to food items, PortMiami also handles a great deal of traffic in apparel, textiles, stone and masonry construction materials and paper. PortMiami is also a central hub for traffic involving heavy construction and industrial equipment and other vehicles such as trucks, buses and cars.
Traffic to and from the nearby Florida East Coast Rail Yards ensures that a steady stream of trucks transporting containers and other cargo are a constant presence throughout the greater Miami-Dade County. As a precautionary measure, truck drivers operating in the PortMiami area must maintain minimum insurance coverage of $100,000 per person and $300,000 per accident for bodily injury. There is also an additional requirement of $50,000 coverage for property damage
If you are a victim of a preventable truck accident, you may be entitled to seek recovery for your damages. Your Florida personal injury attorney can assist you with evaluating the circumstances of your case and determining whether you should move forward with a lawsuit.
Source: Port Miami, “Cargo Gateway of the Americas” Jan. 06, 2015