Why is there a High Rate of Metrolink Train Accidents? by:Mark Dacanay
Metrolink is a 512 mile rail transit system that was developed to meet the need of working commuters
.
It was developed to reduce congestion and improve mobility in the Southern California Region.
It was formed by the coming together of five-county transportation organizations that represents its own county. Namely, they are:
Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA)
Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA)
Riverside County Transportation Commission
San Bernardino Associated Governments
Ventura County Transportation Commission
It now has seven lines, 56 stations, and carries an average of 45,000 riders daily.
Metrolink Train Accidents
Although its ridership is just the seventh largest in the United States compared to other rail systems, it still holds the distinction of having the second-highest number of train accident related fatalities.
The only other transit with a higher death total is the New Jersey transit, whose trains travel six times as many miles as that of Metrolink and carries five-times more passengers.
This gives Metrolink the highest fatality rate among all rail transits in the country.
From a study made by the Federal Railroad Administration, they found that in one 6-year period, more than 50% of train passenger fatalities will be from Metrolink.
In fact, from 1998-2008, there are 99 deaths linked to Metrolink train accident - that is more than any other rail systems in the country.
Causes of Metrolink Train Accidents
Metrolink train accidents can be caused by various things.
Some of the negligent actions that could and may have already caused some of the worst train accidents are:
Inattentiveness of the engineer or the conductor
Failure to see signals of another train on the track
Poor maintenance of tracks
Inadequate or inoperative warning signals
Faulty maintenance of trains
Non-compliance with safety standards
Metrolink also operates trains that are in "push mode," where instead of the traditional way of having the engine in front pulling the carts, the engine is located at the back pushing the trains.
As a result, it lacks the additional protection that traditional trains provide for head-on collisions.
As was the case in 2005, when a man abandoned his suicide attempt and his SUV on the tracks where it was hit by an incoming Metrolink train head-on which resulted to eleven people getting killed.
The speculation was that if there was an engine in front of the train then it could have lessened the impact and would have not immediately affected the passenger carts.
Solutions
After the 2008 Chatsworth incident where the engineer's failure to stop at a red light (warning of another train on the same track) killed 25 people, the government has been looking onto ways to prevent or lessen train accident fatalities.
One of those is the Rail Safety Improvement Act where it aims to have all railway agencies install a satellite-linked system that will automatically stop trains that run a red light by 2015.
Taking Action
Train accident injury cases may take longer than the usual personal injury cases.
The best course of action would be to hire a train accident lawyer, who is experienced and is an expert on the applicable laws regarding train accidents.
About the author
To help you deal with issues involved in a train accident, consult with our train accident attorneys. Visit our website at
http://www.personalinjurydefenders.com/ and avail of our free case consultation.
Separating Employees from Independent Contractors by:Mark Dacanay Types and Treatment of Fractured Bone Injuries by:Mark Dacanay Nature of Animal Attack Cases by:Mark Dacanay What is a Shareholder's Agreement? by:Mark Dacanay Factors That Affect Traffic Accidents by:Mark Dacanay Causes and Types of Nerve Injuries by:Mark Dacanay What is Part B Coverage of Medicare? by:Mark Dacanay Defective Product Claims Process by:Mark Dacanay Your Rights Against Unfair Debt Collection Practices by:Mark Dacanay How to be Eligible for Supplemental Security Income by:Mark Dacanay Trade Secret Laws by:Mark Dacanay Basic Car Accident Laws by:Mark Dacanay How Does Product Recall Works? by:Mark Dacanay