An Amtrak passenger train carrying around 169 people derailed on Monday afternoon in a collision with a tractor-trailer in California’s Central Valley. At least 20 train passengers suffered injuries in the train accident. The driver of the commercial truck failed to yield to the train and collided with it; the resulting impact pushed the train’s passenger cars, as well as the locomotive, off the tracks south of a farming town named Hanford.
Metal pieces of the truck were found inside of the train after the accident. Miraculously, the passengers escaped with nothing more than bruises, lacerations, and a few broken bones. The crossing where the tractor-trailer failed to yield was equipped with gates to stop traffic. A spokesman for California Highway Patrol said that investigators are still trying to determine if the train accident was caused by the trucker’s error, or a malfunctioning crossing gate.
When a train accident occurs, several different agencies are often involved, and determining the exact cause of the accident requires a thorough investigation. Injured train accident victims are often at a loss when it comes to navigating the legal complexities of liability, and unsure how much compensation they are entitled to for their losses. Consulting with an experienced train accident attorney is essential in order to successfully pursue the compensation you deserve from the negligent parties responsible for your injuries.
If you have been injured in a California train accident, please contact The Cochran Firm today to schedule a free case evaluation with an experienced California train accident lawyer.
