Attorneys Handling Metrolink Train Accident Case In Los Angeles, CA -
Our mass tort lawyers continue to investigate the various contributing factors and responsible parties for the Metrolink train accident outside Los Angeles in Chatsworth, California. The train was being operated by employees of Veolia Transportation and crashed after the engineer failed to stop at a flashing red signal and crashed into an oncoming Union Pacific engine. 26 people were killed as a result of the train crash, including the Metrolink engineer. Over 100 people were injured, many seriously. Traverse Legal's goal, like the victims and their families whose lives have been changed forever, is to make sure that changes are made so that a train accident like this never occurs again. Metrolink and Veolia Transportation's failures led the deadliest train accident in the last several decades. Metrolink, Veolia Transportation and other parties potentially contributing to this accident need to be held accountable. Potential claimants should note that there may be a six (6) month statute of liability for claims against Metrolink (and perhaps Veolia) under California Law. This means a claim should (and possibly 'must') be filed within six months of the date of accident.
Traverse Legal's metrolink lawyers are exploring the following possible theories of liability against Metrolink, Veolia Transportation and others ...
- Cell phone use at or near the time the commuter train engineer failed to stop at the Chatsworth signal.
- Negligent training or safety process by Metrolink or Veloia.
- Negligent train operation by Pacific Union.
- Negligent design and operation of the safety signals or safe stopping systems.
- Metrolink's failure to adopt available collision-avoidance and crash worthiness technology.
- Negligent failure to upgrade signal systems (investigators are close to ruling out signal failure).
- Negligence in dispatch operations, or in communication between the Metrolink engineer and conductor.
- Damages are generally computed on the basis of a victim's lost future wages, his or her state of health at the time of the accident, medical costs, dependent care costs and physical pain and mental anguish
Our attorneys are looking into reports that the engineer of a commuter train who ran through two red lights never hit his brakes in the final moments before last week's fatal collision with an oncoming freight train.
The NTSB has ruled out mechanical, track and train problems and it appears that track side signals were working properly. it also appears taht there is technology available which would automatically stop trains at red lights which was not implemented by metrolink at this accident site.
The Metrolink engineer hired by Velolia Transportation apparently suffered setbacks in recent years, including the suicide of his partner and may have been diabetic.
Our lawyers are also at the issue of railroad engineer certification which requires each railroad must train and then certify their engineers under a long list of federal rules.
There is a potential $200-million cap on liability that Congress imposed on individual railroads for their accidents and says that the damages from Friday's crash could top that mark if the cap is challenged or found not to apply to commuter railroads.
Liability won't be a big issue here. Find metrolink lawyers you feel comfortable with and will keep you informed.
Posted by: Metrolink lawyers | September 22, 2008 at 07:05 AM
Following are key events leading up to the deadly head-on collision between Metrolink Train 111 and a Union Pacific freight train.
Focusing on the actions of Metrolink engineer Robert Sanchez, 46, who was killed in the crash along with 24 others, this timeline is based on the latest statements from federal investigators, Metrolink officials, the media and eyewitnesses.
5:54 a.m.: Sanchez begins an 11-hour split shift. His working day is not scheduled to end for another 15 hours.
9:26 a.m.: Sanchez finishes his first shift. Sometime during his 4 1/2-hour break, he takes a two-hour nap.
2 p.m. Sanchez returns to work.
3:30 p.m.: By phone, Sanchez orders a roast beef sandwich from a restaurant near the Moorpark station. He tells them he'll pick it up sometime after 4:45 p.m.
3:35 p.m.: Sanchez departs Union Station on Train 111, the Ventura County commuter line.
4:13 p.m.: The signal north of the Chatsworth Metrolink station is set to red to keep northbound traffic off the main track.
4:16 p.m.: According to the train schedule, Sanchez departs the Chatsworth Metrolink station for the next stop in Simi Valley.
As the signal's red light comes into view, Sanchez fails to inform the conductor by radio that he's approaching a red light.
Traveling at 42 mph, Train 111 chugs by the red signal and then blasts through a closed switch - a heavy gate in the tracks that prevents or
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allows trains to move from one track to another. The force of the train bends back the bars on the metal switch.
Train 111 and its 220 passengers and crew are now on a deadly collision course with a southbound Union Pacific freight train hauling 12 boxcars.
Running the red light does not trigger an alarm with the train's dispatch center in Pomona.
The dispatch computer system mistakenly believes Metrolink Train 111 is actually the southbound Union Pacific train carrying three crew members.
4:22 p.m.: Teenagers say they receive a text message from Sanchez. National Transportation Safety Board officials say Sanchez sends and receives text messages while on duty on the day of crash, but they do not specify exactly when.
Rolling along at about 40 mph, the Union Pacific freight train emerges from a 500-foot tunnel underneath Stoney Point Park when its engineer first sees the oncoming Metrolink train.
The two trains are in each other's sight for four to five seconds before crashing.
Two seconds before the collision, the Union Pacific train engineer hits his brakes.
Sanchez never brakes the Metrolink train.
4:23 p.m: The trains collide, thrusting the Metrolink's engine into its first passenger car. Sanchez and many in the first passenger car are killed instantly.
Posted by: Metrolink Crash Timeline | September 21, 2008 at 09:36 AM
It is so important that train accident victims and their families understand the need to file a lawsuit within the statute of limitations. Lawsuits must be filed and damages must be awarded in order to ensure that accidents like this do not happen again. An experienced attorney can balance the need for justice and compassion for the family.
Posted by: Train accident attorney; personal injury; lawyer | September 18, 2008 at 10:17 AM