Seattle Injury Blog
A 44-year-old woman suffered critical injuries in a Washington train accident after her minivan was broadsided at a crossing by a train traveling at 48 mph. According to an Associated Press news report, the woman had just dropped off a child in an elementary school when the accident occurred. She was transported to a local hospital.
According to the Federal Railroad Administration, in 2006 alone, train accidents caused 909 fatalities and 8,244 injuries nationwide. Railroad employees, passengers in other autos at railroad crossings, passengers aboard trains, or pedestrians walking on or near railroad tracks are among those injured in these dangerous train accidents. Sometimes, these collisions happen because of the fault of other drivers. But very often, these accidents occur due to the lack of safety features at these street-level train crossings or when the safety features such as crossbars or lights fail to work at the crossings. These types of accidents could also occur as a result of the train operator’s error.
If it is determined that the auto versus train collision occurred as a result of the train operator’s error or as a result of a lack of safety features, the transit authority or railroad could be held liable for the accident and injuries caused. In such cases, injured victims could seek compensation for medical expenses, loss of wages, cost of hospitalization, rehabilitation or physical therapy. If the accident involves fatalities, the victims’ families could file wrongful death claims.
If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in a Washington train accident, please contact the experienced Seattle personal injury attorneys with The Bernard Law Group for a free and comprehensive consultation. Call us at 1-800-418-8282 or e-mail us at info@bernardlawgroup.com for a FREE consultation. We can also send you our FREE informational brochure about auto accidents with useful, educational information that will help you understand your legal rights and options. Get in touch with Kirk Bernard and his skilled legal team today.
Source: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2010398352_apwacartrainaccident.html