According to the Federal Railroad Administration Office of Safety Analysis, the number of fatal train accidents is increasing. Between 2011 and 2014, the number of deaths in train accidents rose from 149 to 194.
The average passenger vehicle in the United States weighs approximately 2 tons. By contrast, the average locomotive weighs 200 tons. This difference in weight clearly illustrates why accidents between trains and cars almost always cause a fatality.
In most train accidents, the driver of the car is at fault because the train cannot alter course, and the operator will have difficulty slowing a train in time to avoid an accident. However, there are cases when the train operator is at fault due to negligent or reckless behavior.
Investigators are trying to determine whether or not this was the case in a recent train accident in Boston.
Investigators Must Determine If the Train Was Speeding Before the Car Accident
The most common form of negligence for train operators is speeding. The Boston Globe reports that the speed limit near the crash site is 125 mph. At those speeds, traveling even five to 10 mph over the limit is extremely dangerous.
Authorities say a car stopped on the tracks just before the accident, and investigators aren’t certain whether or not it was stalled. However, the train driver saw the vehicle and immediately attempted to stop his Amtrak regional train.
Unfortunately, he wasn’t able to stop in time. The train struck the vehicle and dragged it for 3 miles. Police say that two men and one woman were in the vehicle. All three died in the car accident.
It’s often difficult to determine who is at fault for a car accident, especially when speaking with an insurance company. If you believe another person’s negligence played a role in your accident, you’ll need a personal injury attorney to help you support your claim and seek compensation.
To connect with an experienced, tenacious personal injury attorney in Boston, visit us today at ColucciLaw.com, or call our office at (617) 698-6000.
Train Passengers Recount the Details of the Tragedy
Passengers on the Amtrak train at the time say they heard a horn just before the train began shaking violently. It took the train conductor approximately 30 seconds to slow to a stop, during which time the train was dragging the car and spreading debris.
The local police department is collaborating with the Federal Railroad Administration to investigate the accident and determine whether or not negligence played a role. However, their first priority is to find out why the car was on the tracks in the first place.
If you’re looking for a personal injury lawyer in Boston, don’t hesitate to contact us. At Colucci, Colucci & Marcus, P.C., we have been helping Boston car-accident victims since 1995.
To learn more about our services or to arrange a consultation, please call us today at (617) 698-6000.
