CNN reported that the derailment was caused by the Amtrak train colliding with a dump truck. Eight of the train’s cars and two locomotives left the track. Early reports state that there were no lights or mechanized arms at the crossing. The three deaths include two in the train and the dump truck driver. The incident is still under investigation and the National Transportation Safety Board has sent a team to investigate the incident. This is the second deadly derailment this week as three were killed on an Amtrak train near Brentwood, California on Sunday.
Our Take:
This terrible tragedy and our thoughts and prayers go out to those involved. The investigation is still in its infancy and there are few details about how the accident occurred. Generally, commercial vehicles, including dump trucks, are held to higher standards when operating on public roads. Mendon, Missouri—the location of the crash—only has a population of 163 people, and the crossing did not have any lights or arms to warn of an approaching train. It’s also unclear if there was a railroad crossing sign.
What Should I Do When I or a Loved One Have Been Involved in an Accident Involving Commercial Vehicles?
“When such an accident occurs, it is critically important that key evidence is not lost or destroyed. This includes witness testimony, dash and body cam footage from responding officers, dash cam video from the truck involved, electronic black box data from all vehicles involved, vehicle inspections from the at-fault truck, hours of service logs from the at-fault truck driver, toxicology reports, etc.”
An experienced attorney at Mickelsen Dalton LLC can help determine if you have a claim and advise you of your options. Our attorneys have successfully represented several victims in cases arising from trucking and towing accidents. Within the past three years, Mickelsen Dalton LLC has recovered over $30 million in verdicts and settlements on behalf of our clients. We have been featured in Fox News, the New York Times, the Washington Post, and several other national news organizations.
Anyone may contact our attorneys for a free consultation at (843) 804-0428 or (678) 641-9054 or by email at info@mickelsendalton.com.
Disclaimer:
Past results are not a guarantee of future results. The information contained in this post is from news articles and may therefore contain inaccuracies. We will correct or remove this post upon request. The material contained in this post is not intended to constitute legal advice.
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