Amtrak Train Crash in Washington State

California Metrolink Lawyers: Metrolink Negligently Failed To Implement An Automatic Stop System

Attorney Alert:  More Information on the Washington DC Metro Train Accident.

Metrolink Lawyer Train Accident Safety Alert:   "Blame the train engineer" has been a favorite response by the train industry and the NTSB over the last 20 years when train accidents cause property damage, personal injury and death.  The truth is that the train industry, as a result of prior accidents and litigation, has known for decades that it is impossible for train operators to be attentive all the time.  Train operator fatigue, sleep-apnea, medication, reduced visibility, distractions have cause almost all of the train collisions involving death or injury.  The real question our accident lawyers are asking as a result of the Metrolink train accident is what the commuter train industry in California has done to reduce accidents?  The unfortunate answer is that the train industry, including Metrolink lawyers and executives, have done almost nothing, despite attempts by the NTSB and Congress to take the act of avoiding train crashes out of the hands of engineers. Read more about what our lawyers who are investigating the Metrolink train crash in California have discovered ......

Other Metrolink / Veolia Resources - Metrolink Lawyers:  What Should You Look For in a Personal Injury or Wrongful Death Metrolink Lawyer?

California Lawyer Gabler Extends Sympathy to Metrolink Victims

Metrolink California Train Wreck:  Los Angeles Attorney Ron Gabler, Encino, California - Press Release (Traverse Legal, PLC, Of Counsel):  "As a member of the Los Angeles, California Legal Community and the Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles, and on behalf of the attorneys and staff of Traverse Legal, I wish to offer my heartfelt sympathy to the victims and families and friends of those injured and those whose family members passed away in the tragic Metrolink Accident that occurred on September 12, 2008 in Chatsworth."

Los Angeles is a city where alternative means of transportation from the automobile and the gridlock of the freeways have been sought for decades.  The Metrolink commuter trains have been a welcome respite for  suburban commuters in areas such as Moorpark, Simi Valley and Thousand Oaks, where most of the Metrolink train accident injured and deceased resided.  The ability to commute to and from work and relax, read the paper, catch up on reading a good book or just unwind from the day's stresses were taken for granted, until last week when a Metrolink train collided with a freight train in an accident, that was due primarily to human error, the negligence of the Metrolink conductor, and clearly could have easily been avoided had certain steps been taken to follow policies and procedures and available safety devices been utilized. (read more from Los Angeles, California train crash lawyers below)...

NTSB confirms Metrolink train operator Robert Sanchez had been sending text messages prior to crash

Attorney Alert:  Washington Metro Commuter Train Accident kills 9, inures dozens.

Metrolink Lawyers In Los Angeles, California Train Accident Continue to Investigate Crash:  Traverse Legal's attorneys have received information that all signal lights were operating correctly and that the Veolia engineer Mr. Sanchez ran two red lights that should have warned him of the approaching Union Pacific freight train.

Our metrolink lawyers are investigating the Metrolink Train wreck on behalf of clients who have retained our firm to represent them in this accident.

Metrolink Train Accident Investigation Update: What Caused The Accident & Who is Responsible

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 ...

Metrolink Train Crash Update: Cell Phone Use Causes California to Seek Train Operator Cell Phone Ban

LOS ANGELES / CHATSWORTH, CALIFORNIA: Traverse Legal's attorneys continue to explore possible causes for the Metrolink train accident outside Los Angeles, California on September 12, 2008.  Lawyers looking into the matter are focusing on the allegation that the train operator, who was an employee of the company operating the commuter train system for Metrolink, Veolia Transportation, was using his cell phone at or near the time of the crash.  The Associated Press has now reported that California is now considering an emergency ban precluding train operators from using cell phones through California’s top rail safety regulation authority.

Metrolink Commuter Train Accident: How To Choose An Injury or Wrongful Death Attorney

LOS ANGELES / CHATSWORTH, CALIFORNIA Attorneys:  Metrolink Compensation Issues.

Train crash victims - such as the those involved in the Metrolink Train Accident outside Los Angeles, California - deserve answers and compensation as part of the recovery and mourning process. Families and loved ones inevitably struggle with questions about why the accident happened, whether the fatalities and injuries could have been avoided and their legal rights to compensation against Metrolink and others who may be responsible.  When the time is right, all Metrolink train crash victims should seek competent legal advice from experienced mass tort attorneys to better understand the legal process (such as the possibility of a class action), the compensation damages allowed under law and the prospects of a Metrolink settlement and/or trial. 

If you would like to speak with a Los Angeles California train accident attorney concerning injuries you or a loved one suffered in the Metrolink commuter train collision north of Los Angeles, contact one of our lawyers for more information or call 866-936-7447. Our attorneys can help you understand your legal rights, compensation entitlement, settlement offers, the legal process and the cause of the Metrolink commuter train disaster.  The consultation is free. There is no obligation. 

California Train Wreck On Metrolink Kills 25, Over 100 People Injured In Train Accident

Metrolink Lawyers In Los Angeles, California; California Train Wreck: Traverse Legal attorneys specialize in mass tort litigation on behalf of victims of company negligence such as occurred in the California train wreck outside Los Angeles, California.  We provide a free 'no risk' case review so that you can understand your legal rights.

LOS ANGELES / CHATSWORTH, CALIFORNIA:  This appears to be a matter of clear negligence by the Metrolink engineer operating the train. 

Metrolink Train Crash Accident Probe: Investigation To Examine Text Messages

LOS ANGELES / Chatsworth, California -- Train Collision Kills 26 & Leaves Over 100 Injured.

Traverse Legal personal injury attorneys are investigating a California Metrolink commuter train accident.  Train 111, consisting of an EMD F59PH locomotive (#855) pulling three Bombardier Bi-Level Coaches, departed Union Station in downtown Los Angeles at 15:35 PDT (22:35 UTC) heading westbound to Moorpark. It departed the Chatsworth station with 222 people aboard, and traveled approximately 1.25 miles when it collided head-on with an eastbound Union Pacific local freight train, led by two SD70ACe locomotives, UP 8485 and 8491. The Metrolink locomotive telescoped into the passenger compartment of the first passenger car and caught fire. Three locomotives, the leading Metrolink passenger car and seven freight cars, were derailed. The Metrolink locomotive, first passenger car, and the lead Union Pacific locomotive fell on their sides.

The collision occurred after the Metrolink passenger train's engineer failed to obey a red stop signal that indicated it was not safe to proceed into the single track section. The dispatcher's computer at a remote control center in Pomona did not display a warning prior to the accident according to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).  Metrolink reported that the dispatcher tried in vain to contact the train crew to warn them, but the NTSB contradicted this report, saying the dispatcher noticed a problem after the accident.

Both trains were moving toward each other at the time of the collision. At least one passenger on the Metrolink train reported seeing the freight train just moments before impact, coming around the curve. The conductor of the passenger train, who was in the rear car and was injured in the accident, estimated that his train was traveling at 40 miles per hour before it suddenly came to a dead stop after the collision. The NTSB reported that it was travelling at 42 mph. The freight was traveling at approximately the same speed after its engineer triggered the emergency air brake only two seconds before impact, while the Metrolink engineer never applied the brakes on his train.