Accidents happen all the time. However, accidents can have serious repercussions for those involved. Those involved can be severely injured or even killed.
Recently, a Chicago Amtrak train derailed while in route from Chicago to Michigan. While the exact details of the accident are still under investigation, investigators have revealed that the train derailed when it hit a misaligned track switch. The train was traveling at high speeds after having been given the green light to travel ahead on the tracks. The train was carrying 174 passengers, nine of whom were taken to the local hospital with injuries.
When the train hit the misaligned track switch, it was sent into the rail yard instead of down the main track. The train derailed when it hit a derailing mechanism designed to keep any run-away trains in the rail yard from escaping onto the main track. The engineer on the train was able to stop the train 21 feet away from freight cars in the rail yard. The train possessed an event recorder, similar to an airplane black box, which will allow investigators to better understand how the accident occurred.
People who are victims of accidents, like this one, may be left with serious injuries. On many occasions, these victims seek to be compensated for their injuries. Sometimes this involves suing the party responsible for the accident and going through a trial to get compensation. Sometimes the party responsible will be willing to compromise before the case reaches trial. In these instances, the parties come to a settlement.
Those injured in serious accidents have legal options to pursue. A lawyer can help those injured work their way through the often complicated justice system.
Source: Chicago Tribune, “NTSB: Chicago-Michigan Amtrak missed freight cars by 21 feet,” Jon Hilkevitch, Oct. 23, 2012
