Accident at 10th and O Streets Causes Problems for Riders
A light-rail train derailment occurred on May 26 in downtown Sacramento after a van crashed into it. The accident happened at O and 10th streets, which is close to the California State Capitol. According to the report by the Sacramento Regional Transit District, it appears that the driver of the van ran a stop signal and struck the train on the side, which led to the derailment.
No Injuries Reported in Train Derailment Accident
Fortunately, only one passenger and the operator of the train were inside when the derailment occurred and was not injured. No one was injured in the van either. The accident will be investigated to determine what happened. No information was released on whether alcohol or drug use was a factor in the collision.
Bus Bridge Established to Transport Passengers
Passengers taking the RT train were told to expect delays since authorities were investigating the accident scene at about 5:40 p.m. The crash site had to be cleared and the train moved back onto the track, which is a lengthy operation. For the night, officials with RT instituted a bus bridge between the stations at Cathedral Square and 13th Street.
Accidents Involving Light-Rail Transit
Railroad crossings represent the largest location where accidents occur involving trains. Although about half are equipped with safety devices to help avoid accidents, yet 50 percent of train collisions still occur in these locations. Keeping in mind that light-rail transport or a passenger train needs a much longer distance to stop, it is on the motorist to use caution to avoid a collision. Some safety tips include:
- Always expect a train to be coming on the tracks.
- Understand that trains can come from both directions.
- Always slow down or stop before crossing the tracks, carefully looking in each direction to make sure the way is clear.
- Don’t get stuck on the tracks. When you cross, make sure you are at least three feet past the tracks, so there is enough clearance for the train to pass.
- Never race a train to the crossing. You’ll lose.
- Never keep going if the barrier is down or warning lights are on. Driving around the barrier when it is down almost guarantees a serious car accident.
- If the view is obstructed, proceed cautiously until you can see up and down the tracks to ensure the way is clear.
- Gunning your vehicle’s engine to race across the tracks before the train arrives can cause your motor to stall in the middle. Just don’t do it.
- Don’t try to judge a train’s speed. You can’t because it’s coming toward you. Because of its much larger size, it’s moving faster than you think.
- If multiple tracks are present and a train passes, check that one isn’t coming from the other direction before crossing.
Obtaining Compensation Following an Accident Caused by a Train
Accidents with trains can result in severe injuries requiring extensive hospitalization, possible surgery and a long recuperative period. In some cases, the injuries can result in permanent disabilities. By filing a claim with the help of an injury attorney, the injured party can recover the following:
- All associated medical costs can be recovered. This ranges from your hospitalization, ambulance cost, and any possible surgeries to prescription medicines, tests, and recuperative care.
- Wages lost because you cannot work are recoverable, including any bonuses or other perks with a monetary value.
- Loss of consortium and damage to your personal relationship with your spouse can be recovered.
- Loss of enjoyment of life can be factored in if you can no longer perform activities you normally engaged in.
- Recovery is possible for your physical, emotional, and psychological damage. Those who experience symptoms such as nightmares, anxiety, and other problems must be under treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder by a professional to claim those damages.
Sacramento Personal Injury Lawyer
I am Ed Smith, a Sacramento personal injury lawyer. When a train collision causes your injury, call me for free and friendly advice at (916) 921-6400. I can also be contacted at (800) 404-5400 or online.
Our legal team has helped Sacramentans since 1982 to garner fair compensation for injuries suffered in train accidents, all varieties of traffic collisions, wrongful deaths, and more.
Discover more about my law firm on the following pages:
The links that follow are to two groups I’m proud to belong to:
Photo attribution: https://pixabay.com/photos/blur-commute-commuting-locomotive-1239439/
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