DC Metro Area Personal Injury Law Blog

Posted at 9:43 PM on June 22, 2009 by Regan Zambri & Long

Death Toll Rises From Redline Metrorail Collision

In our nation's capital, two Metro trains on the redline violently collided during the height of rush hour earlier this evening, killing at least 6 people and injuring many more. According to AOL News, "One official said the accident was a 'mass casualty event' as crews cut apart the trains to get people out." One of the Metro trains slammed into the rear of another at a very high rate of speed, causing multiple cars of the rear train to jack-knife, fly into the air, and land on the cars of the lead train. Cars of both trains were shredded. "Rescue workers propped steel ladders up to the upper train cars to help survivors escape. Seats from the smashed cars had spilled out onto the track," comments the report.

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The news report goes on to mention that "Metro chief John Catoe said the first train was stopped on the tracks, waiting for another to clear the station ahead, when the trailing train plowed into it from behind. Each train had six cars and was capable of holding as many as 1,200 people. Officials had no explanation for the accident."

This tragic incident should never have happened. An investigation is underway, and the cause of this avoidable event will be unearthed soon. Incidents like this can occur for a variety of reasons, including miscommunication among train operators and station managers, failure to keep a proper lookout, defective brakes, distracted operators, unsafe speeds, faulty equipment, failure to abide by standard operating procedures, and other reasons.

Mr. Zambri has successfully litigated cases against Metro and other automobile companies. He has authored an article regarding how automobile collision cases are evaluated. To read it, please click here.

Many Americans are killed or injured each year in vehicular collisions. If you want more information about your legal rights, please email Mr. Zambri at szambri@reganfirm.com or call him at 202-822-1899.

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Regan Zambri & Long, PLLC : 1919 M Street, NW, Suite 350, Washington, DC 20036
Tel: (202)463-3030 Fax: (202) 463-0667