Fatalities After Amtrak Train Derailment
I’m Ed Smith, a Train Accident Lawyer in Sacramento. A tragic accident unfolded this morning during a Washington Amtrak train’s first trip along a newly constructed route in the Seattle metropolitan area. Reports indicated that at least six people are confirmed to have been killed in the incident, with over 70 injured and transported to local hospitals.
What Happened?
Amtrak Train 501’s inaugural run met with disaster after suffering a derailment. The train was traveling along the newly completed Point Defiance Bypass Project, designed to reroute passenger trains around slower freight and light rail lines. The train apparently left the tracks in DuPont while crossing the Interstate 5 rail overpass. Images of the scene depict a grisly reality, with 13 of the train’s 14 passenger cars as well as two locomotive cars off the tracks. Several of the trains segments ended up in the roadway, with one precariously dangling from the overpass. Six deaths have been reported so far, along with many injuries. Emergency responders are still working to clear the wreckage and locate any remaining casualties. Reports indicate that several motor vehicles are still trapped beneath the derailed train cars.
Watch Youtube Video ~ Train Derials near Seattle, Washington:
Train Wreck Injuries
Passenger trains travel at speeds up to a regulated 79 miles per hour without any special protections for passengers. The average Amtrak passenger car weighs nearly 65 tons, and even a shorter train such as the one that derailed outside of Seattle weighs in at over 2,000,000 pounds. When train accidents happen, the results are often catastrophic. Injuries sustained in train crashes can include:
The cost of medical care and rehabilitation after an accident can quickly become overwhelming. After seeing your doctor, you may wish to consider contacting a personal injury lawyer with experience handling train accident cases. Depending on the specific circumstances of your case, your personal injury attorney will be able to negotiate on your behalf against insurance companies and health care providers to reduce or eliminate your bills. Do not allow insurance companies to play games with your health and finances while officials conduct their investigation- your well-being shouldn’t have to wait.
Common Carriers
Railways are held to a high standard of care. As common carriers- like buses, airplanes, or taxicabs– train services must maintain vigorous safety protocols including regularly scheduled and documented maintenance. Vehicles that operate as common carriers must meet the various safety requirements if they are to be used by the public- improperly maintained and/or substandard vehicles do not belong in service. If the owner of a vehicle has neglected their duties and allows an unsafe vehicle to put the public at risk, they may be liable for injuries resulting from a failure or crash.
Related Articles by Sacramento Train Accident Lawyer, Ed Smith:
- Train Kills Davis Pedestrian
- Light Rail Train Fatally Injures Pedestrian Sacramento
- Tow Truck Light Rail Crash
Train Accident Lawyer in Sacramento
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento Train Accident Lawyer. Have you or someone you love been injured in an accident involving a train? I can help. Please contact me right away at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400 for free and friendly advice. I can also be found online anytime at AutoAccident.com.
I have worked to help injured people and their families since 1982. You can find some of my valued client’s reviews posted on: Google, Avvo, and Yelp.
The Million Dollar Advocates Forum is reserved for trial attorneys with million-dollar settlements and case verdicts. You can browse a selection of some of my past Verdicts and Settlements, including my million-dollar awards, on AutoAccident.com.
