Travel by rail, bus, airplane, taxi, or any of the many varieties of common carrier including public transportation such as MARTA can help to make lives easier and less stressful than having to deal with traffic and long hours on the road ourselves. Of course even these common carriers can occasionally have their downside with delays or cancellations due to maintenance or weather conditions, or over booking which can put a crimp in the travel schedule. What no one expects, however, is a major transportation accident such as the train accident that just occurred in New York.
Passenger Train Derails Due to Excessive Speed
A passenger train carrying people to New York on December 1, 2013 derailed as it entered a 30mph curve at what has now been determined to have been 82 miles per hour. This Metro North Railroad accident is purported to be the worst in its 30 year history with 4 dead and 60 injured. According to the National Transportation Safety Board Metro North Railroad has been involved in 3 serious train incidents just since May of this year. An article in The Los Angeles Times reported that the train’s engineer said that he had dozed off just before the crash and when he tried to correct his speed it was already too late.
Transportation accidents involving train derailments or collisions, and airplane and bus crashes often result in catastrophic injuries and fatalities. People who ride on trains, planes, busses, and other types of common carriers are owed a very high duty of care by the operators and owners of those businesses. When an accident happens and people are seriously injured and/or there are fatalities these people and their families have a legal right to seek compensation for accident injury and/or wrongful death.
8,315 Train Accidents in 2012
According to the Federal Railroad Administration there were 8,315 train accidents/incidents in 2012 with 508 fatalities and 5,966 non-fatal injuries. So far the data coming in for 2013 is showing a rise in accidents/incidents and fatalities and injuries. If you or a family member has suffered a serious injury or died in a train accident, plane crash, bus accident, or accident from any common carrier you should consult with a personal injury attorney to protect your rights and learn about your legal options. Most personal injury attorneys offer a free initial consultation so you can find out how they can help you before you commit yourself.
East Point & Vinings Personal Injury Attorney
Contact personal injury attorney Joel Baskin if you need advice and help with an accident injury or accident fatality caused by a transportation accident of any kind including train, plane, bus, car or motor vehicle accident. With over 17 years of experience, Joel has helped accident injury victims in the Atlanta and Metro Atlanta area including Cobb & Fulton counties. Call today and schedule a free initial consultation!