Causes of Train Accidents
The team of Los Angeles personal injury attorneys at Magaña, Cathcart & McCarthy has significant experience representing accident victims in claims involving multiple parties and catastrophic injuries. Train accidents often give rise to serious and complex personal injury claims, requiring knowledgeable and highly experienced legal counsel.
Causes of Train Accidents
While Los Angeles is known for its car culture, commuting by train has become increasingly popular in Southern California. Currently, Metrolink operates in Los Angeles County, San Diego County, Orange County, San Bernardino County, and Ventura County. It connects with the Metro Rail system in Los Angeles, with the San Diego Coaster and Sprinter commuter rail services, and with Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliner, Coast Starlight, Southwest Chief, and Sunset Limited intercity rail services.
The expansion of the rail system in Southern California likely has an overwhelmingly positive impact on our economy, the environment, and our lifestyles. However, when a train accident does occur, the results are almost always devastating. The 2008 Chatsworth train collision, for example, left 26 people dead and 135 injured. That accident was caused by a train operator running a red light while texting. Other common causes of train accidents include:
- Failure to properly inspect equipment
- Improper train or track maintenance or repair
- Lines being switched improperly
- Mechanical failures, including broken warning lights
- Improperly loaded or disproportionate cargo on the train
- Disregarding weather conditions
- Excessive speed
- Miscommunications regarding which track is non-operational and which is in use
- Failure to obey signals
- Insufficient training of staff
- Failure to remedy a dangerous situation, such as a spill, broken seat, or belligerent passenger
The Los Angeles personal injury attorneys Magaña, Cathcart & McCarthy possess the resources and legal skill to handle complex cases arising from train accidents. We will thoroughly investigate an accident to identify all liable parties, working to ensure maximum compensation for our clients.
Premises Liability & Train Authorities
When you get on and off of a train at a train platform, you are on property controlled by train authorities who operate the rail system you are using. If a dangerous condition on that property, such as an untended spill or cracked pavement, causes you to slip and fall or trip and fall, the train authorities in charge of keeping the property safe may be held liable for your injuries and damages, including compensation for medical treatment, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Seek Experienced, Established Representation
If you or a loved one has been hurt in a train accident, please contact Magaña, Cathcart & McCarthy to speak with an experienced personal injury attorney. Our firm has been helping Southern California accident victims for more than 60 years.
