Sacramento Train Crash. A Sacramento train crash occurred when a freight train hit a motor vehicle in Midtown on October 11. The accident snarled traffic in the vicinity of O Street between 19th and 20th, according to a spokesman for the Sacramento Police Department. The crash happened at about 3:20 p.m. when the eastbound train hit a vehicle that, according to the driver, had backed onto the tracks. The motor vehicle, a white Lexus, was hit in the rear. The driver suffered injuries that have been described by authorities as non-life threatening. There is no further word on the woman’s condition at the time of this report.
Further Details of the Sacramento train crash
According to the driver of the vehicle hit by the Union Pacific train, she was leaving a parking spot, adjacent to the train tracks, in reverse when the accident happened. The train remained in position on the tracks where the accident occurred for about 90 minutes. Both Sacramento and Union Pacific Police were on the scene, and an investigation is underway. The train began moving at about 4:50 p.m and was out of the area after 5:00 p.m.
Freight Trains in California
Trains are an important part of commerce and travel in California as they haul goods and passengers around the state and to other areas of the country. According to Caltrans, there are 6,863 miles of track where freight trains haul 156.1 tons of cargo. Passenger trains, including light rail lines, are abundant throughout California.
Train Accidents
According to the National Transportation Safety Board, a train accident happens every 120 minutes, resulting in 1,000 fatal accidents and 18,000 injuries each year. Train accidents can result in an assortment of injuries from minor to life-altering.
Reasons a Sacramento Train Crash Happens
There are many reasons train accidents happen. Some of the most common are:
- Motor vehicle driver negligence
- Excessive train speed
- Failure of train signals
- Lack of train track maintenance
- Inadequate train personnel training
- Poor hiring practices
- Failure to update train equipment
- Overcrowded cargo or passengers
- Failure to maintain signals and warning signs at railway crossings
- Lack of security on railroad platform
Types of a Sacramento Train Crash
The types of train crashes are:
- Derailment
- Car/train accident
- Train/pedestrian accident
- Train/train collision
- Cyclist/train crash
Car/Train Accidents
Annually, close to 6,000 train/car crashes occur with the vast majority happening at railroad crossings. Approximately, 600 individuals die, and 2,300 people are injured in railroad crossing accidents each year. In many instances, a vehicle will stall on the tracks. A train, because of its size, is unable to stop in time. For example, a train moving at 50 mph will take one mile to come to a stop.
Motorcycles and Bicycles in a Sacramento Train Crash
Both bicyclists and motorcycle riders are usually fatally hurt in a train accident. A train operator is unable to see either one on the tracks at a distance and even up close at night. Due to their lack of protection, both usually suffer catastrophic injuries.
Safety Devices and Train Accidents
Safety devices such as signals and flashing lights help prevent collisions at railroad crossings. However, reports show that up to 50 percent of fatal accidents at crossings happen because the devices are absent or not working. During the daytime hours, trains strike motor vehicles 75 percent of the time. However, at night, the accidents occur more than half the time when a vehicle hits a train due to poor signals or lack of lighting near the tracks.
Some Reasons Trains Fail in Their Duty to Maintain Safety
Two of the chief reasons that train safety fails are due to operator fatigue and lack of proper training. Failure to maintain equipment and lack of necessary repairs are others.
Sacramento Train Accident Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento train accident lawyer. If you have been injured in a train accident, you need the insight an experienced injury lawyer can provide. Call me at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400 for free and friendly advice. I can also be reached online.
I’ve practiced personal injury law in Sacramento since 1982 and have helped numerous residents with all types of car accidents, wrongful death, and pedestrian accidents.
I am a member of a nationwide forum of attorneys called the Million Dollar Advocates, who have won over $1 million for a client.
If you are in need of an attorney, you should learn as much as you can about their practice. Become acquainted with mine on the following pages:
Photo Attribution: https://pixabay.com/en/locomotive-train-railway-loco-1399080/
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