According to an article in the Oklahoman, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) determined that a Washington D.C. Metro 2009 train crash that occurred nearly a year ago was caused by a defective electrical circuit. The NTSB found that the electrical circuit did not alert the oncoming train that another train remained stationary on the track.
The train crash killed 8 passengers as well as the train’s conductor. When the stopped train became visible to the moving train, the conductor attempted to brake, but the train conductor only had 3 seconds to react, which was not enough time to avoid the collision. The entire train accident could have been avoided if the Metro’s signal system had been functioning properly that day.
NTSB authorities also discovered that the Metro employees had been previously warned of potential dangers for the trains over the course of 15 years. Warnings from the NTSB included recommendations to improve and update old cars and signal components. However, the Metro repeatedly neglected to repair safety issues affecting trains, including a faulty signal system that did not detect moving trains at least 3,000 times.
In fact, the D.C. Metro Authority normally used non-current testing systems to inspect faulty signaling systems, which often resulted in the Metro overlooking defective signals and gambling with train passengers’ lives. NTSB officials say that the DC Metro had more than adequate warnings about the train hazards, because other passengers had been injured in previous train accidents from faulty signal systems before the 2009 train crash.
In Oklahoma, safety administrators reported 832 train-related injuries and 146 deaths in train accidents during 2000-2007. Injuries from train accidents can result in costly medical expenses, not to mention long-term emotional distress. A victim should not bear the cost of these consequences when a railroad corporation is negligent despite adequate warnings of flaws in their systems.
The Oklahoma personal injury attorneys of Maples Law Firm work to ensure such corporations are held legally accountable for their reckless actions and your suffering. If you or a loved one has suffered from severe injuries resulting from a train accident, you need a strong advocate on your side. Call our office today at (405) 705-5050 for a free and confidential evaluation of your case.
