New York and New Jersey are home to many railway train lines: from passenger to freight trains, the Metro-North to the Long Island Railroad to the PATH in Newark, both states are buzzing with train activity 24 hours per day. The sheer number of trains entering and exiting the states at any one time, however, also results in a significant number of serious accidents. Train accidents can be far more damaging than car crashes because trains are both incredibly heavy and incredibly fast-moving.
They frequently cause serious injuries or even death to passengers, railway workers, and pedestrians. I’ll tell you more about the risks below, and what to do if you or a loved one is injured in such an accident. Additionally, you’re always welcome to call Buttafuoco & Associates at 1-800-NOW-HURT to learn more about your rights in these cases. Consultations are always free!
A History of Deadly Train Crashes
New York and New Jersey have a long history of serious or deadly train crashes. 2016 saw one of the worst crashes to date when a New Jersey Transit commuter train crashed through a barrier in a Hoboken terminal, killing a female pedestrian, Fabiola Bittar, and injuring 108 people. Over 80 people were taken to local hospitals due to injuries.
Witnesses said that the train never slowed down as it arrived at the station, and the impact caused parts of the station to collapse, causing Bittar’s death.
In this case, the engineer’s sleep apnea-induced fatigue was said to be a major contributing factor in the train’s failure to stop. New Jersey Transit was also found responsible for their failure to properly screen and refer workers at risk of sleep apnea, and for failing to identify the potential for collisions at the end of the track to cause serious accidents.
In the years prior to this, a number of deadly train crashes occurred. In January of 2013, a LIRR equipment train smashed into a car turning around the crossing gate to cross the tracks. Although the engineer blew his horn, he was unable to stop quickly enough, and the vehicle and front car of the train burst into flames. Two bodies of the driver and a passenger in the car were found dead.
Later, in May 2013, a father of four from Long Island was killed when his vehicle was struck by a LIRR train at a Crossing in Central Islip. Witnesses said the gates were not working properly and that there had been ongoing issues with them. In July, several pedestrians in Queens were struck and killed by the LIRR.
Safety improvements have been ongoing since this string of devastating accidents nearly a decade ago, but accidents continue to happen.
Why are Railway Accidents so Devastating?
Whether you are a driver, a railroad worker, a passenger, or a pedestrian, railway trains pose serious risks to your safety. Railway trains travel at 55 to 90 miles per hour. When you pair that kind of speed with the weight of a train (freight trains often weigh from 4,000-20,000 tons or more), it’s no surprise that physical injuries sustained in train accidents are often severe or even deadly.
Brain and spinal cord injuries–among the most serious types of injuries that occur in train collisions–can cause permanent damage and paralysis. Internal organ damage and internal bleeding are also likely to occur when passengers are crushed in a crash. Burns, lacerations, and whiplash, as well as toxic exposure injuries are other threats victims face.
In all of these cases, it’s essential to work with a train accident attorney serving New York and New Jersey. A good attorney can help you recover the maximum compensation you are entitled to.
Common Train Accident Causes
The most common causes of train accidents include derailment, train and car collisions, train and train collisions, platform accidents, and crossing accidents. Trains are sophisticated pieces of equipment, so accidents can result from a variety of malfunctions–everything from engines to brakes.
When the rails themselves are broken or worn, train cars can derail and crash into vehicles, pedestrians, or nearby workers. Some trains also carry excess cargo, which can literally crush the tracks if the weight is not balanced. Broken warning lights and gates can also malfunction, leading cars or pedestrians to cross in front of a speeding train.
As we see in the case above, conductors who are inattentive can also cause severe accidents, whether that results in two trains colliding, a train crashing into a vehicle, or a derailment that harms a pedestrian. Freight trains often carry hazardous materials, which makes them more prone to catching fire or exploding.
Call for a Free Consultation
If you or a loved one has been injured in a train accident, don’t hesitate to reach out to Buttafuoco & Associates. Our train accident attorneys have been fighting for rights and compensation for New Jersey and New York citizens injured in train crashes for decades.
Call 1-800-NOW-HURT for a free consultation.
