Twenty-Five Killed, Dozens Injured In Metrolink Crash Near Chatsworth

Metrolink Train, Union Pacific Freight Collide South Of 118 Freeway
LOS ANGELES - Sheriff Confirms Twenty-Five Deaths In Metrolink Crash, 47 in Critical Condition, 40 more hospitalized. Authorities said the crash involved Metrolink train No. 111, which left Union Station at 3:35 p.m. and a Union Pacific freight bound for...

California Railroad Accident Lawyers

For several decades, the railroad crossing accident attorneys at Masry & Vititoe have represented those who have been seriously injured. Through experience and education, our firm is able to expertly evaluate medical injuries and pursue personal injury claims on behalf of the injured plaintiff. Masry & Vititoe provides sophisticated legal services for almost any type of injury, both emotional and physical.

For over thirty years, our focus has been on personal injury claims and business litigation matters. We help people that have been wrongfully injured by incidents such as catastrophic train accidents, auto accidents, acute and chronic chemical exposures, use of poorly designed products, or ingestion of defective pharmaceuticals. We also handle a wide range of business litigation matters and class actions.

The railroad system in the United States includes over 600 railroads, over 200,000 miles of track, 1,200,000 freight cars and 20,000 locomotives. According to the Federal Railroad Administration, each year there are approximately 3,000 train accidents in the U.S. and about 1000 people lose their lives. In addition to the catastrophic injury and loss of life attributed to railroad collisions, there is the ever increasing concern to the environment due to hazardous spills.

The National Transportation Safety Board indicates that 60% of all crossing fatalities occur at unprotected crossings and that approximately 80% of all public railroad crossings are not protected by lights and safety gates. The most common types or railroad accidents are collisions with other trains, derailment, collisions with passenger vehicles, improperly maintained tracks, mechanical failure and driver inexperience and fatigue.

Here are some statistics regarding the railroad accidents:

1. Every 90 minutes there is a train collision or derailment.
2. A train carrying hazardous material goes off the tracks approximately every 2 weeks in the United States.
3. Railroads are essentially self-regulated and do come under the close scrutiny of the federal government.
4. Rail companies continue to rely on technology that was developed over 70 years ago and very little effort has been made to update safety measures.
5. Local jurisdictions often have no control over the train travel in their area resulting in delays for local emergency response to catastrophic situations in the community. This basically means that the fire trucks will have to wait while a trans continental freight train passes!
6. More than 50% of all railroad accidents occur at unprotected crossings and, according to the Federal Railroad Administration, over 80% of railroad crossings don't have adequate warning devices.
7. Statistics may show that although "vehicle v. train collisions" have decreased in the last few years, "pedestrian v. train collisions" have increased.

When a railroad or train accident does occur, there are laws that govern whether or not the carrier is liable. There are many factors that determine if the railroad company was at fault and could have prevented the accident and resulting injuries by exercising the proper care and maintenance. Also, if the carrier is found liable, there are even more factors to consider as to what percentage of liability they will have to assume.

The laws governing liability in the case of railroad accident and injury are extremely complex. It must be determined that the railroad company was, in fact, responsible for the accident and was acting in a negligent manner. If the railroad is found responsible, it must then be determined to what extent they are liable.

Masry & Vititoe believes that in order to represent our injured clients in the best possible manner, our firm must have an understanding of the human anatomy and how it responds to an injury. Therefore, through experience and education, our firm is able to expertly evaluate injuries and successfully pursue claims on behalf of the injured plaintiff.

While proving a physical, emotional, or cognitive injury can be difficult, our experienced and knowledgeable attorneys and staff are able to undertake difficult cases and prevail, convincing skeptics of the merits of a claim via credible, trustworthy evidence and objective test findings. Our firm is committed to protecting our client's rights and has repeatedly demonstrated our ability to succeed in the most challenging and complex bicycle injury cases.

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