On May 12, 2015, Amtrak Northeast Regional Train 188 was involved in a devastating accident which killed eight people and sent more than 200 to local hospitals. The Locks Law Firm is sorry to hear of this incident and wishes to express that the victims and their families are in our thoughts.
Unfortunately, information has come to light to support the conclusion that the negligence of Amtrak and its employees were responsible for the tragic accident. According to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the train was traveling 106 mph around a curve with a 50-mph speed limit. NTSB has further stated that the train was traveling 70 mph approximately 65 seconds prior to the crash, yet it continued to accelerate around a significant curve in the tracks. Prior to the accident, the engineer onboard advocated for the use of technology to slow a dangerously fast train when the engineer does not, yet Train 188 failed to implement such procedures. The Locks Law Firm is also investigating Amtrak’s personnel policies, training, use of technology, and safety procedures.
The Locks Law Firm has a history of representing clients and their families who are victims of transportation-related accidents. Andrew DuPont, a partner at the Locks Law Firm in Philadelphia, expressed his concern regarding the accident and stated that “Trains can be safe if they are properly operated on railways that are properly maintained and if hazardous materials are transported away from residential areas and in appropriate containers that prevent releases of toxic chemicals,” he says. “However, what we are seeing are a number of inadequate protections or outright safety failures that are placing communities at risk.” (http://fortune.com/2015/05/14/amtrak-trains-safe/).
If you or a loved one was involved in the Amtrak Northeast Regional Train 188 accident, contact the Locks Law Firm today at (215) 893-0100.