Have you or a family member been seriously injured or killed in a train accident? You may be struggling with what to do next.
Our attorneys will take on negligent parties responsible for your train accident.
If you or a loved one have recently fallen victim to the negligence of Amtrak or SEPTA, you may be wondering what to do next. The aftermath of these accidents can be extremely stressful for a victim, and for their friends and family as well. At The Disability Guys Pennsylvania, our team of personal injury attorneys understands the physical, emotional, and financial difficulties your family may be facing.
A successful train accident lawsuit may not heal permanent injuries or bring a family member back. But it will hold guilty parties responsible and ease the burden of the many economic and noneconomic difficulties victims face following an accident, including:
We believe legal action is the best way to hold these companies responsible for causing such painful difficulties. If you’ve been injured in a train or public transportation accident, we’re prepared to fight for you. Our attorneys will stand by your side and offer the compassion and legal counsel you need during this difficult time.
Train accidents may be rarer than motor vehicle accidents, but they are much more damaging. In a train crash there are usually multiple serious injuries, and many accidents result in fatalities. When a train accident happens, there are many victims who face a long recovery process, and many family members who are left to mourn the death of a loved one.
Most train accidents could have been prevented by better technology, better maintenance, or better operation by an employee. Victims shouldn't be left to pick up the pieces of their lives alone. Those responsible for causing an accident must be held liable for their negligence.
Public transportation systems which that are inadequately maintained or improperly operated pose dangers to all who use them or are in the vicinity of them. Some common accidents relating to trains and public transportation include:
Each accident has unique circumstances. If you've been involved in one, it's best to gather as much information as you can before discussing the matter with an experienced train accident lawyer.
Railways are required to outfit trains with "black boxes", similar to what you'd find on an airplane. These boxes store important information such as the train's speed, direction, brake use, and horn signals. This information could be very useful when attempting to determine negligence after an accident. Additionally, you should:
Train accidents can be caused by a number of factors. In many cases, a combination of factors contributed to the crash. Common examples include:
Most train accidents require thorough investigations before the at-fault party or parties can be determined. Experienced train accident attorneys will work to compile all relevant evidence in order to determine negligence and hold those parties responsible in civil court.
You may remember the high-profile Philadelphia Amtrak train derailment of 2015. This was one of the most serious train accidents in Philadelphia history.
On May 12, 2015, a Northeast Regional Amtrak train traveling from Washington, D.C. to New York City derailed in the Port Richmond neighborhood of Philadelphia. In the process, 200 of the 238 passengers on board were injured, and 8 passengers died in the accident.
The pain, suffering, and death inflicted on these innocent victims is enough to make your stomach turn. Perhaps the most frustrating aspect of this case is how easily it could have been prevented. At the time of the accident, the train was traveling over double the speed limit, at 102 mph in a 50 mph zone. A report from the National Transportation Safety Board said the engineer was likely distracted by radio traffic at the time of the derailment.
However, not all of the blame lies at the feet of this engineer. Amtrak was also partly responsible, as at the time of the accident these trains lacked certain technological features which would have prevented this disaster. Like many catastrophes, this crash resulted from a combination of factors:
The NTSB report claimed that operator Brandon Bostian lost situational awareness when he was distracted by radio signals after another train had been hit by a rock. In January of 2017, Bostian filed a lawsuit against Amtrak for alleged unsafe working conditions. The suit claims that Amtrak did not provide proper training or warn Bostian of dangerous conditions. He's seeking damages for physical and psychological injuries.
This is a computerized speed-limiting service, featured on other Northeast corridor tracks. This technology can save lives by overriding human errors. The same NTSB report claimed that this technology could have prevented the crash. There is no excuse for people continuing to be seriously injured or killed in train accidents if there is available technology for preventing them.
"If the NTSB has indicated that this was preventable from a variety of standpoints, then it's even more egregious," Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter said in response to the report.
PTC technology would have prevented Brandon Bostian from taking the curve at such a recklessly high speed. 8 lives would have been saved, and the 200 injured would have never experienced the physical and emotional trauma of such a devastating accident.
In October of 2016, Amtrak reached a $265 million settlement with victims and their families. This is $30 million short of the $295 million damages cap for Pennsylvania train accidents. Attorneys for the victims struck this compromise to skip a lengthy litigation process and get their clients the compensation they need in a more timely manner.
It is imperative that transportation companies be held liable for the far-reaching damage caused by their recklessness. If you or a loved one have suffered as a result of such carelessness, a personal injury lawyer may be able to help.
The Disability Guys Pennsylvania keeps you updated on the latest train accidents and investigations in the region.
The family of a young mother killed when a commuter train slammed into Hoboken Terminal in September has filed a notice of claim against New Jersey Transit and the engineer who apparently fell asleep at the controls.
Fabiola Bittar de Kroon, 34, had just dropped her 1-year-old daughter off at daycare before she entered the station Sept. 29 and a speeding, rush-hour train plowed into the crowded terminal at about 8:45 a.m.
De Kroon, a Brazilian-born attorney, was hit by falling debris in the terrifying crash that injured another 100 people.
“I have been working since I was 14. I have probably held at least two dozen different jobs and I’ve seen people injured and hurt. One of the reasons I got involved with disability law is that I have a very good family friend who has been disabled his entire life, and I’ve seen how he’s struggled in order to keep working and try to work. When I was presented with the opportunity to get involved with what’s called “disability law,” I was really thrilled to be able to not only practice being an attorney, but helping other people who really need to know things about what their choices are, what they can do, and what their future may hold.
I am originally from Maple Glen, PA and is a life-long Eagles fan.
I have focused on helping individuals with their workers’ compensation, social security disability and long-term disability claims, as well as obtaining financial security for individuals who have had accidents.
As part of helping workers’ and their families, I have also been active in teaching continuing legal education courses to other attorneys, provide free seminars and webinars to the public on how to protect their rights, and I am active in various organizations such as the National Organization of Social Security Claims Representatives, the Injured Workers’ Bar Association and the Workers’ Injury Law & Advocacy Group.”
Brian Mittman, Esq.
Here is this week's look at some of the most serious accidents from around the Philadelphia, Delaware County, and Montgomery County region. Wrong-way Truck Crashes Into Philadelphia Bar A U-Haul truck was driving the wrong way on a one-way street when it hopped over a curb and plowed into a newly opened bar/restaurant in the […]
Our weekly accident report for July 12th, 2017 looks at a fatal maritime work accident, two car accidents each involving just one driver, and a heroic rescue by a SEPTA police officer. Packer Marine Terminal Employer Killed In Work Accident A 52-year old employee at Packer Avenue Marine Terminal in South Philadelphia was killed in […]
This week's accident roundup features: An accident involving two SEPTA vehicles in Philly A teenage boy loses his leg after being struck by a train An intoxicated Delaware County couple recklessly crashes into 3 parked cars If you've recently been injured in an accident caused by someone else, a personal injury lawsuit could help you […]
They kept my best interests at heart. Updates on a regular basis of the status of the case and returning of calls was much more prompt after I started dealing with the same lawyers and support team.
Danielle Dexter,
Workers Comp Client from Westchester County
I’m very satisfied with my law firm. I will always recommend Markhoff & Mittman firm to family and friends. It’s very important to have professional and supportive Law firm during your case.
Sevdija Lalicic
Workers Compensation Client
The Disability Guys Pennsylvania
Personal Injury Attorneys
145 Greenwood Ave Suite 400, Wyncote, PA 19095
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Website: https://pa.thedisabilityguys.com/personal-injury/montgomery-county/
Phone: (215) 866-2018
Plus Code: 3VR5+QQ Wyncote, Pennsylvania
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