Pedestrian at 12th Street Crossing Injured in Train Accident
A train accident involving a pedestrian occurred in Sacramento on June 19 in the community of Alkali Flats. Officers with the Sacramento Police Department and Sac Fire responded to the accident, which occurred at the train crossing on 12th Street between Chinatown Alley and D Street at around 7:00 in the evening. One radio dispatch said that the injured person might have been pushed into or in front of the train.
Crane Needed to Lift Train Off Injured Pedestrian
Regional Transit was called to the scene, bringing a heavy crane because the injured pedestrian was pinned underneath the train. Rescue 20 arrived quickly at the train accident scene in response. The firefighters discovered one person was pinned and worked for about 45 minutes to extricate the injured individual.
Train Accident Under Investigation
The injured pedestrian was transported to a hospital nearby under a Code 3, which means that the sirens and lights were used. Radio reports about the accident say that the pedestrian tripped and fell underneath the train and wasn’t pushed. Southbound 12th Street was reduced down to one lane of traffic as an investigation was conducted into the incident. The identity of the injured pedestrian has not yet been released.
Common Causes of Train Accidents
Trains are deadly when an accident with a vehicle, pedestrian or cyclist occurs. Because trains require a longer stopping distance, if someone on foot is too close to the tracks or their vehicle stalls, there is usually little the engineer can do to prevent an accident. The major reasons for train accidents include:
- Defects in the railroad tracks
- Derailments
- Mechanical failure
- Speeding by the train engineer
- Railroad crossings without protection from accidents
- Negligence such as placing two trains on the same track
- Failure to warn of the approach by the engineer
- Failure at a road crossing such as non-functioning or faulty crossing arm, alarms and bells
Investigating an Accident That Involves a Train
The Federal Railroad Administration sends investigators to the site of accidents that involve trains to determine what happened. They determine whether a formal investigation is needed because of negligence by the company, engineer, a faulty railroad crossing, or other areas of concern. Local police with jurisdiction investigate the accident also. A lawyer who has experience in handling a pedestrian or driver involved train accident can be of invaluable help in obtaining compensation for the injured person or grieving family.
How a Train Accident Lawyer Investigates an Injury or Fatality Crash
To be able to place a compensation claim following an injury or loss of a loved one in a train accident, it must be proven that negligence was the cause. Our trained investigators head to the scene of the collision to gather the evidence, which may include missing or faulty crossings or mechanical issues. They will investigate the engineer to determine whether he or she was drinking, distracted by talking on a cell phone or speeding as well as looking for other signs of negligence.
Maintenance records for the train itself can be checked to see if the brakes were maintained as well as the engine. When the evidence is gathered, our lawyers use it to build a case to recover personal injury damages for our client. It is used in insurance company negotiations or in constructing a strong case for court.
Sacramento Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento pedestrian accident lawyer. Train accidents can result in terrible injuries. When negligence was the cause, the injured person may be able to recover compensation to pay their lost wages, medical expenses and for their pain and suffering. Please contact me at (916) 921-6400 if you are interested in my free and friendly advice. The long-distance number is (800) 404-5400. An online contact form is also available.
The links below offer more information about my firm:
I’m a proud California member of the Top 1 Percent and the Million Dollar Forum.
Since 1982, I’ve successfully gotten compensation for my clients in accidents ranging from traumas to government claims and wrongful deaths.
Photo Attribution: https://pixabay.com/photos/train-railway-crossing-railway-line-1039283/
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