The recent train accident in New Jersey and the Norman pedestrian that lost his life after being struck by a freight train are both reminders that train accidents can take the lives of people, and often injure many others, in just one moment in time. Typically, when train accidents occur, they are due to one of two causes: driver negligence or defective parts on the train that fail. Regardless of the cause, train accidents that cause personal injury and death can often be prevented.
Norman Pedestrian Train Accident In the Norman train accident right here in Oklahoma, the pedestrian was hit by the freight train near Classen Blvd and Constitution. Several streets in the area were closed down and the train remained stopped on the tracks for more than three hours while crews cleared the scene and authorities investigated. Although the name of the victim was not released immediately, Norman Police did eventually identify the victim as 31-year-old Michael Andrew Railly. The investigation of the train accident revealed that as the train approached the railroad crossing, the victim was photographing or videoing the train near the railroad track with his cell phone. The operator did not have time to stop the train before it struck Railly in the crossing area. In this case, the cause of the accident was allegedly neither the driver’s fault nor defective parts on the train and is a good reminder to pedestrians to pay attention and obey railroad crossing signals. Hoboken Train Accident In the Hoboken train accident, over 100 people were injured and three people lost their lives. Many of the injured passengers were reported to be in critical condition. The operator of the train had to be extricated from the front car and many passengers remained trapped on the train. The Hoboken train accident was certainly a devastating experience for all involved. The cause of the Hoboken accident has not yet been released, as investigations are still ongoing. Federal investigators are working on figuring out why the train, which was traveling on track five, struck the terminal building in Hoboken. The major incidents team from the National Transportation Safety Board is also investigating the train accident. Injured In A Train Accident? When a train accident is the fault of the operator or due to faulty equipment or parts on the train, any injured victims have the right to pursue compensation for their injuries. If you are injured or you have lost a loved one in a train accident, you should call a personal injury lawyer or a wrongful death lawyer who can help you determine if you have a case. The personal injury and wrongful death lawyers at Frasier, Frasier & Hickman, LLP have 60 years of experience helping victims of accidents in Oklahoma. Contact us today at 918-779-3658 for a free consultation.