On Tuesday and Wednesday of last week, federal investigators pressed Amtrak officials regarding what the railroad company is doing to ensure passenger safety after two recent fatal crashes in Washington State and South Carolina.
In December 2017, Amtrak train 501 derailed in DuPont, Washington, killing three passengers and injuring dozens more. In February 2018, an Amtrak train collided with a freight train in South Carolina, killing two passengers and injuring 116.
Among the most important topics of discussion at these hearings was positive train control, or PTC, and Amtrak’s plan for implementing the technology that can automatically slow or stop trains in dangerous situations. Amtrak has been plagued by dangerous derailments and crashes over the past few years and in nearly all cases, PTC was either not installed or not activated.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has long advocated for the implementation of PTC technology of all railroads, but the industry has resisted, citing the tremendous cost and complex nature of installation. A federal law dictates that all railroads must have PTC installed by December 21, 2018. Amtrak says it is on track to meet this deadline.
Messa & Associates Personal Injury Attorneys Represent Train Crash Victims
Messa & Associates has a long standing history of successful representation of Railroad injury victims. Firm client, Trevor Beddoe, represented by Joseph Messa and Thomas Sweeney, recovered monies as part of a $265 Million settlement with Amtrak on behalf of injured victims of the Philadelphia Amtrak derailment. Messa & Associates also represents many victims of the 2012 Conrail derailment in Paulsboro, NJ that sent train cars into the Mantua Creek, releasing thousands of pounds of toxic vinyl chloride into the atmosphere. In addition, the firm represents the family of a deceased 17-year-old girl who was killed when the car she was a passenger in was struck by an oncoming Conrail train at an intersection that had no gates to signify or warn of oncoming trains.
New Jersey and Philadelphia Personal Injury Attorneys
Philadelphia personal injury attorneys at Messa & Associates are experienced in litigating train crash, train derailment, and other railroad injury cases. If you have been injured in a train crash or motor vehicle crash, or have endured any other type of personal injury, contact the personal injury attorneys of Messa & Associates for a free consultation. Chat representatives are standing by to answer any questions you might have regarding compensation for your injuries. If you are interested in seeking out legal representation as a victim of this horrible accident, do not hesitate to contact the Philadelphia personal injury attorneys at Messa & Associates. Call toll free at 1-877-MessaLaw, or submit a free online inquiry.
