Metro-North Train Accident Injures 72 People; Broken Rail May Be a Factor
The Metro-North derailment and crash that injured 72 people on May 17 remains under investigation, and officials are examining a fractured section of rail as a possible cause. Investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board arrived a day after the accident and planned to be on the site between 7 to 10 days. According to media reports, the investigators will look at the brakes and performance of the trains, the condition of the tracks, crew performance and train signal information, among other things.
Our Bridgeport train accident attorneys know that railroad accidents can often lead to very serious injuries and result in significant legal complications. That’s why it is important for any passengers or train employees who were injured in the collision to contact a personal injury lawyer serving Bridgeport, Fairfield and all of Connecticut. Contact the Law Offices of Mark E. Salomone & Morelli promptly to learn about your legal options. Call 1-800-WIN-WIN-1
According to a report in Newsday, Anthony Bottalico, the general chairman of the Association of Commuter Rail Employees, said the cars involved in the crash (called M8 models) were introduced in 2011. However, the tracks on sections of the New Haven Line are older jointed rails, which Bottalico said are bolted together and prone to cracking. He said most modern railroads, including the rest of the Metro-North system, use “ribbon rail,” also known as continuously welded rail.
Condition of Rails Considered in Metro-North Train Accident Investigation
While it’s still early in the investigation, the condition and age of the rails may be a key factor in determining liability. A day after the crash, National Transportation Safety Board member Earl Weener told the Washington Post that a broken rail is being studied to determine if it is linked to the accident. He said he wasn’t sure if the accident caused the fracture or if the rail was damaged before to the crash.
The Metro-North train, which was headed east from New York, derailed on May 17 and was hit by a train headed west from New Haven, according to media reports. At the Law Offices of Mark E. Salomone & Morelli, our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims and their families. We understand this was a devastating and frightening accident for all involved, and fortunately no one was killed. As of May 19, nine of the injured remained in hospitals, according Newsday.
Fortunately for people living in Connecticut and New York who rely on Metro North, significant train accidents are fairly rare occurrences. The last major train collision involving Metro North occurred in 1988. A train engineer was killed in Mount Vernon, N.Y., when one train with no passengers rear-ended another train, railroad officials told Newsday.
If you were injured in the Metro-North train collision in Fairfield/Bridgeport, protect your rights. Call 1-800-WIN-WIN-1 or complete the online contact form to reach the Law Offices of Mark E. Salomone & Morelli. We have several office locations in Connecticut, including one at 376 Whalley Avenue, New Haven, 06511.