With the tragic Philadelphia train accident still dominating the news, it may have been easy to overlook another train accident that occurred closer to home, here in Washington, DC. Earlier this week, a MARC train struck and seriously injured one person, according to an article by the International Business Times.
Evidently, the accident took place at around 9:50 in the morning, near Ninth Street and New York Avenue Northeast. MARC service was shut down for the day, as investigators surveyed the scene and maintenance workers attempted to ensure that the tracks and trains were all safe for the afternoon commute. In the meantime, the DC Metro subway system honored MARC tickets.
The person who was struck by the train remains in serious condition but is expected to recover from the injuries sustained in the accident. The exact cause of the accident is still under investigation.
Public Transit Accidents in the DC Metro Area
While public transit accidents are a front-page item at the moment due to the tragedy in Philadelphia, often these accidents do not get the coverage of other kinds of serious accidents. However, like all other accidents, most public-transit accidents can also be prevented with the exercise of due care on the part of the operator.
Operators of buses, trains, and other modes of public transportation have an affirmative duty to ensure that their passengers are transported safely. When an individual makes a serious lapse in judgment or is negligent, that employee may be held accountable for their actions by the injured parties. In addition, the company, organization, or bureau employing that person may also be held liable in some situations, depending on the facts of the specific case.
Train Accidents in Metropolitan Environments
It would be a mistake to assume that the injured party in the article discussed above was at fault merely because they were hit by a passing train. However, that is how many people see public-transit accidents. Merely because a train travels on tracks, rather than on the road, does not mean that the operator cannot be found to have acted negligently. Similarly, depending on the cause of the accident, it may be that the public transportation company failed to take adequate precautions against that specific type of injury from occurring on their property or in their vehicles. For example, a company may fail to place adequate signage indicating an especially dangerous area. In any case, it is a good idea to have a dedicated attorney look over your case before making a judgment call about what you should do.
Have You Been Injured in a DC Public Transit Accident?
If you or a loved one has recently been injured in any kind of Washington DC public transit or car accident, you may be entitled to monetary compensation to help you cover the financial costs of your injuries. You may also qualify for damages to compensate you for the pain and suffering you endured as a result of the operator’s negligence. To learn more, and to speak to a dedicated attorney about your case, call 410-654-3600 today to set up a free initial consultation. Calling is free, and we will not send you a bill for our services unless we are able to recover for you.
More Blog Posts:
Maryland Appellate Court Defines Limitations on Injury Victims’ Insurance Coverage, Washington DC Injury Lawyer Blog, May 1, 2015
Blue Bell Creamery Recalls All Products over Listeria Concerns, Washington DC Injury Lawyer Blog, April 28, 2015