Motorcyclist Struck By Train After Being Thrown Onto the Tracks at 24th Street
A train accident in Oakland on September 16 took the life of a motorcyclist after they were involved in a crash and thrown onto the tracks. The accident happened near the Oakland underground tunnel at 24th and Northgate Avenue around 4:00 p.m., according to the Oakland Police Department, which said they received several phone calls about the collision. A BART representative on Twitter said the rider struck the right-of-way barrier and was thrown onto the tracks, where they were struck by the train and killed.
Trains Shut Down by BART During Investigation
After the train accident, fire departments, frontline staff with BART, and police arrived at the scene. The train service between the stations at Lake Merritt, West Oakland and MacArthur was truncated. Service stopped in the directions of Richmond, San Francisco, Berryessa and Downtown Oakland. Service recommenced around 6:20 p.m. on a single track in the downtown area of Oakland, restoring limited service. By that evening, full service was restored.
Oakland Police Investigating Fatal Train Accident
Because of crowded trains and platforms, operators had problems giving updates to riders, which BART officials apologized for on Twitter. Officials expressed their sympathy for the trauma caused to the motorcycle rider’s family, their train operator and riders. As the investigation into the accident was going on, AC Transit supplied buses for commuters between MacArthur and Oakland City Center at 12th Street. The fatal train accident is being investigated by Oakland police to determine how it occurred.
Investigating a Railroad Accident Is Important to Discover the Real Cause
It is common for railroad accidents to be caused by a variety of factors, including equipment failure or human error. A railroad lawyer who is experienced in train accident law can be invaluable if you’ve lost a loved one in a wrongful death and can play a major role in the successful outcome of your case. In most cases, accidents can be prevented if the right steps are taken beforehand.
Equipment Failure or Poor Placement Can Lead to a Fatal Accident
Train accidents can be caused or contributed to by faulty equipment or poor placement, including:
- Barriers or signage in dangerous locations
- Brake malfunction on the train may lead to an accident
- Faulty communication or equipment
- A malfunction at a crossing, such as the gates, alarms or lights
- Broken or defective rails can derail a train or put it on the wrong track
- Misaligned or nonfunctioning couplers
- Speeding or intoxication in the engineer
- Failure to sound the horn when approaching a train crossing
The importance of getting skilled legal counsel if you or a loved one has been injured in an accident or train derailment cannot be overstated. Make sure you receive compensation for your damages by hiring a railroad accident attorney.
Oakland Train Accident Attorneys
I’m Ed Smith, a train accident lawyer. When you have been injured or have lost a family member in a train accident, you may be able to place a personal injury or wrongful death claim to recover compensation. We can offer you compassionate, free and friendly advice when you phone us at (916) 921-6400 or toll-free at (800) 404-5400. An online message form is also available to get in touch with us. By setting up a free consultation, one of our injury lawyers can review your case, tell you about ways to recover damages and answer your questions.
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Photo attribution: Image by Rob Owen-Wahl from Pixabay
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