Union Pacific Train Collision Near Mobile Home Park
A train collision with a pedestrian in Sacramento on February 5 caused the death of the person on foot. The accident involved a Union Pacific train and occurred close to the Cottonwood Estates Mobile Home Park around 1:30 p.m. Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District Captain, Parker Wilbourn, stated that the cause of the accident was under investigation. The name of the individual who died in the train collision has not been released, pending notification of the family by the coroner’s office.
How a Railroad Company Can Be Liable for the Death of a Pedestrian
Railroad companies can be held liable for the death of a person on foot if they have failed to take reasonable steps to protect pedestrians from foreseeable harm. In some cases, this may include installing safety measures such as fencing and warning signs along train tracks or other areas where people may come in contact with the railroad’s equipment. Failing to maintain those safety measures properly could also lead to liability if an accident occurs.
Recovery of Compensation Following a Pedestrian Fatality in a Train Collision
If it is found that the railroad company was negligent and caused the pedestrian’s death, they will typically be held responsible through a wrongful death claim for compensating the decedent’s family, including lost wages, funeral costs and pain and suffering. In a survival action, punitive damages may be sought as a form of punishment or deterrence against future negligence if the negligence was egregious.
Liability Depends on the Type of Negligence in the Train Collision
In certain cases, the railroad company may also be held liable for injuries caused by someone else’s negligence. For example, if a railroad worker was responsible for not properly maintaining the safety measures or had failed to warn of an impending danger that ultimately resulted in an accident, then they may be liable as well.
Seeking Help to Recover Damages Following the Death of a Family Member
For these reasons, it is important to seek qualified legal counsel after any incident involving a pedestrian and a railroad company, so you can determine your rights and seek compensation if appropriate. Ultimately, no amount of money can replace the life of a loved one lost due to negligence and ease your grief. However, holding the responsible parties accountable is often necessary to prevent similar incidents in the future.
In a case involving a pedestrian death, it is important to seek legal advice as soon as possible so that your rights and interests can be protected. Doing so will give you the best chance at receiving justice on behalf of your loved one who was wrongfully killed.
Sacramento Train Accident Lawyer
I am Ed Smith, and I’m a Sacramento train accident lawyer. Railroad accidents can be caused by multiple entities, including railway companies, track owners and manufacturers. Because a death caused by a train collision can be complicated and involve multiple parties, it’s important to have legal representation to obtain the compensation your family deserves. Please call (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400 if you would like to get free and friendly legal advice. Please feel free to contact us via our online form as well.
We can arrange a free consultation for you with one of our accident attorneys, either virtually or in person, to answer your questions, review the case and let you know about how you can recover compensation.
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Photo attribution: Image by Robert Owen-Wahl from Pixabay
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