- May 13, 2015
- Car Accidents
- Personal Injury
On Tuesday night around 9:30 p.m., a New York-bound train veered off the tracks, causing most of the train's passenger cars to fall over and some to be severely damaged. The accident, which killed at least six people, involved 238 passengers and five Amtrak crew members. Local hospitals received around 100 patients; many had minor injuries, while some others are still in critical care.
Emergency responders have been on the scene since last night in the Port Richmond area of the city where the accident occurred doing search and rescue. Firefighters were also on scene and used tools to rescue passengers who were trapped in the train cars. As of this morning, they were still looking for passengers who were unaccounted for, according to the passengers' friends and family members.Currently the cause of the Amtrak train accident is unknown. The crash occurred near a bend in the track, which has led to some speculation about this part of the track because one of the deadliest train accidents occurred in this same area of track in 1943. However, other issues such as excessive speed, operator negligence, or the deteriorating infrastructure and equipment could be the cause of this accident.
Once the cause of this train accident is determined, Amtrak may face possible lawsuits filed on behalf of the injured train passengers. See the report in the New York Times. Our Goodman Acker P.C. attorneys are very sorry to hear about this crash. Our condolences go out to those injured and killed and their families during this difficult time.
Every state has different laws pertaining to a train accident victim's rights, and it is important for everyone living in areas near trains to know their rights.
In Michigan, if you are injured in a train accident as a passenger that involves another motor vehicle, such as a car, you may be entitled to receive no-fault insurance benefits. No-fault benefits will cover payment for any medical costs related to your injuries, lost income if you are not able to work and more. For those victims who were killed as a result of the train accident, surviving family members may be able to file a Michigan wrongful death lawsuit on their behalf.
In addition, passengers injured in a Michigan train accident may also be able to bring a negligence claim for pain and suffering against the railroad company and possibly the train operator for errors caused by either of these parties. Errors could include train driver error, defect in the tracks or rails. This type of lawsuit may also be able to be filed by individuals not on the train, but rather those involved that were in a car, or on a motorcycle or bicycle, or as a pedestrian.
If you, or someone you know, has been involved in a recent Michigan train accident involving an Amtrak train or any other train company, such as CSX or Union Pacific, it is important that you to speak to an attorney to determine if you have a case for a negligence claim. These types of cases can be quite complex and confusing and for this reason it is in your best interest to discuss your case with a lawyer who has significant experience handling these types of claims.
For more information about your rights after an Amtrak train accident in Michigan, call our trusted attorneys today at (248) 286-8100 to discuss your case for free and of no obligation. It is important you do not wait to call so that we may properly investigate your claim, which will include collecting witness statements and taking photos of the incident. Waiting too long can hurt your chances of getting the most prominent evidence. In addition, there are strict statute of limitations to file a train accident lawsuit and if a claim is not filed within a certain amount of time from the accident, you may not be entitled to collect any compensation whatsoever.
Our Detroit train accident lawyers can help you if you suffer injuries. Call now to discuss your rights, get your questions answered, and learn your rights. If you do have a claim and need our representation, we will represent you at no cost until we win or settle your claim.