Six people are dead and 28 others are still missing after a train accident involving the California Zephyr, an Amtrak passenger train connecting Chicago and Emeryville, California. According to news reports, the catastrophic train accident occurred the morning of June 24, 2011, when the train was struck by a semi tractor-trailer truck, at a road crossing. The 10-car train was almost near the end of its 2,438-mile route, about 260 miles from Emeryville, when the collision occurred. The gravel truck driver and the Amtrak conductor, Laurette Lee, 68, died at the scene. Another 76 people were treated at a local hospital for a variety of injuries from blunt trauma, including fractures, abrasions, lacerations and internal organ damage. Officials expect the casualty count to go up due to the large number of missing persons.

I offer my deepest condolences to the families of the deceased victims. My heart also goes out to the many injured victims of this horrific crash. Please keep these victims and their families in your thoughts and prayers.

Ongoing Investigation

Investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are still looking into what caused this terrible train versus truck accident. Based on preliminary reports, investigators say the gravel truck, owned by John Davis Trucking of Nevada, was leading a three-truck convoy. The truck driver apparently applied the brakes about 320 feet before the railroad crossing, based on skid marks at the scene, but was unable to avoid the collision. Officials are still trying to determine how fast the big rig was traveling at the time. The other two drivers who were behind the lead truck that crashed told officials that the crossing gates and warning lights at the crossing were functional at the time. They were able to stop in time.

Truck Company Had History of Violations

Officials say John Davis Trucking, which has been based in Battle Mountain, Nevada, since 1970, has had 17 violations involving faulty equipment and two crashes since 2009. According to the Federal Motor Vehicle Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), the federal agency that monitors commercial trucks, in one case, a truck was operating with bald tires and in another its springs were defective or missing.

Protecting Victims' Rights

There are several unanswered questions here. Was the driver of the first truck traveling at an unsafe rate of speed? Did his brakes fail? Was the brake failure due to poor vehicle maintenance? If the accident was caused by the truck driver's negligence or due to poor vehicle maintenance, the trucking firm can be held liable for the resulting injuries and fatalities.

Victims of this crash and families of deceased victims would be well-advised to contact an experienced California personal injury lawyer, who will stay on top of the official investigation and make sure that their legal rights and best interests are protected. It is important that victims or their families refrain from speaking to insurance companies or defense lawyers representing the other involved parties. Do not rush into settlements or provide insurance companies access to your medical records. Do not sign your rights away.

Lost a family member in a California truck accident? Want to know your rights? Want to know what your case is worth? Want compensation? Want justice? Want to ensure the same thing doesn’t happen to another family?

Call your best friends in the legal industry after a fatal Amtrak accident. Call 800-561-4887. The call is free. The advice may be priceless.

Call a BISNAR | CHASE California wrongful death lawyer for a free professional evaluation of your rights by attorneys who have been representing families of deceased accident victims since 1978. You will experience award winning representation and outstanding personal service by a compassionate and understanding law firm in a comfortable environment.

California Zephyr Amtrak Train Accident Kills Six, More Than 70 Injured is a post from: BestAttorney.com - BISNAR | CHASE California Personal Injury Lawyers

Roberto Garcia, 26, was killed in a Riverside bicycle accident after he was struck by a train at a crossing. According to a news report in The Press-Enterprise, the fatal train accident occurred the afternoon of March 1, 2011 on Adams Street near Highway 91 in Riverside. Garcia and his girlfriend waited for a train to pass behind a crossing arm. After the westbound train cleared Garcia rode his bike onto the tracks and was struck by an eastbound train. He suffered fatal head injuries. An investigation is ongoing.

My heartfelt condolences go out to the family and friends of Roberto Garcia, the victim of this tragic bicycle versus train accident. My thoughts and prayers are with them during this difficult time.

Riverside Bicycle Accident Statistics

According to California Highway Patrol’s 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), two people were killed and 70 were injured in Riverside bicycle accidents. During the same year, there were nine fatalities and 362 injuries reported as a result of Riverside County bicycle accidents.

What Caused This Fatal Train Accident?

It appears from the report that this location has a working railway crossing warning system. Officials say the arm was down and the bicyclist safely waited behind it as the first train passed. Investigators will have to determine if additional warning systems could be helpful in warning riders and motorists of additional trains coming from the opposite direction. Was there any indication at the time that there was another train crossing immediately after the first one? I trust officials are looking into whether any additional warnings are needed at this location to avoid future tragedies.

Liability Issues

In such cases, if it is determined that the train accident occurred due to the engineer's fault or inadequate safety warnings at the crossing, the transit authority or railroad company could be held liable for the victim's wrongful death. Families of deceased train accident victims would be well-advised to contact an experienced Riverside personal injury lawyer, who will analyze all aspects of the incident and ensure that all negligent parties are held liable. In cases where negligence is involved, the family of a deceased accident victim can file a wrongful death claim seeking compensation for medical and funeral expenses, lost future income, loss of love and companionship, and other related damages.

Lost a family member in a Riverside County bicycle accident? Want to know your rights? Want to know what your case is worth? Want compensation? Want justice? Want to ensure the same thing doesn’t happen to another family?

Call your best friends in the legal industry after a fatal Riverside train accident. Call 800-561-4887. The call is free. The advice may be priceless.

Call a BISNAR | CHASE Riverside wrongful death lawyer for a free professional evaluation of your rights by attorneys who have been representing families of deceased accident victims since 1978. You will experience award winning representation and outstanding personal service by a compassionate and understanding law firm in a comfortable environment.

Bicyclist Killed in Riverside Train Accident is a post from: BestAttorney.com - BISNAR | CHASE California Personal Injury Lawyers

At least 21 people were injured in a train accident the afternoon of August 6, 2010 in Shafter, California. The Bakersfield Californian reports that many suffered minor injuries in the collision. The Amtrak train was carrying 219 passengers as it traveled south from Oakland to Bakersfield. The collision occurred between the train and a big rig at the intersection of Shafter Avenue and Central Valley Highway. Authorities say the caution arms and signals at the intersection were functional at the time. The driver of the truck was uninjured in the train accident.

View Larger Map

I am relieved to hear that no one was killed in this horrific train accident. My thoughts and prayers are with the many families affected by this crash.

California Train Accident Statistics

The Federal Railroad Administration Office of Safety Analysis (FRAOSA) reports that there were 99 train accidents in California in 2009. In 2008, the FRAOSA reported that 25 people lost their lives in 118 California train accidents. Also, in Kern County, 103 deaths and 3,460 injuries were reported as a result of car accidents in 2008.

What Caused this Crash?

Based on this news report, it is not entirely clear how this injury train collision occurred. I trust investigators are still examining several aspects of this incident. Was the driver of the big rig speeding or trying to rush past the crossing? Was the truck driver under the influence, distracted or driving recklessly? Was this accident the result of train operator error? Were the crossing arms and signals working the way they were supposed to work at the time of the collision? These are all important questions to ask here.

Liability Issues

If the truck driver is determined to have caused this crash, then, he and his employer could be held liable for the accident and injuries caused. If the train operator caused the crash, then, Amtrak can be held liable for its passengers' injuries. California law dictates that transit companies – public or private – must provide the "utmost duty of care" to their passengers. This means that they are responsible for the safe transportation of their passengers.

It would be in the best interests of injured victims to contact an experienced Bakersfield personal injury lawyer, who will analyze all aspects of the crash and make sure that the negligent parties are held accountable. Injured victims in such cases could claim compensation to cover medical expenses, loss of wages, cost of hospitalization, rehabilitation, physical therapy and other related damages.

Are the train crossings in your neighborhood clearly marked?

The BISNAR|CHASE personal injury law firm is not representing any of the parties mentioned in this article at the time the article was posted. Our information source is cited in the article. If you were involved in this incident or a similar incident and have questions as to your rights and options, call us or another reputable law firm. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. Get a consultation. The best law firms will provide a free consultation. We provide a free, confidential consultation to not at fault persons named in this article. The free consultation offer extends to family members as well.

Amtrak Crash in California Injures 21 is a post from: BestAttorney.com - BISNAR | CHASE California Personal Injury Lawyers

A Metro Blue Line train accident in Long Beach the afternoon of July 7, 2010 was likely caused by the train driver running a red light, the Associated Press reports. Long Beach police officers say an onboard video shows the Metro Blue Line train running a stop signal before colliding with a Long Beach police patrol car injuring an officer, who still remains hospitalized with injuries. At least 10 passengers on the train sustained injuries in the crash as well.

Officials say traffic investigators examined onboard video from the southbound train as well as a train that was stopped on the northbound tracks. What they saw was the police car and pedestrians crossing Long Beach Boulevard on a green light. Also, the video from the southbound train showed a red light for southbound traffic and a stop signal for the train.

I sympathize with all the injured victims in this case. I'm relieved to hear none of the passengers sustained major injuries. I also wish the injured police officer the very best for a speedy and complete recovery.

What Caused this Accident?

It is not quite clear what caused this accident. If the details of this news report are accurate, it appears that the train driver may have run a red light. The question here is why he ran a red light. Was he impaired? Was the train's operator distracted in some way? Was he talking on a cell phone or texting at the time of the collision? Was he negligent in any other way? Was he fatigued? I trust officials are looking into these and other issues to determine exactly what caused the operator to disregard the stop signal.

Liability Issues

If it is determined that the train operator's negligence caused this accident, the police officer as well as the train's passengers can seek compensation from the transit authority for injuries sustained in this crash. Injured victims in such cases can seek compensation to cover medical expenses, loss of earnings, cost of hospitalization, rehabilitation and other related damages. An experienced Long Beach personal injury lawyer will be able to advise injured victims about their legal rights and options. Please remember that any such claim against a public entity must be filed within six months of the incident.

What are some of your biggest concerns about traveling by train? Do you feel safe taking the train?

The BISNAR|CHASE personal injury law firm is not representing any of the parties mentioned in this article at the time the article was posted. Our information source is cited in the article. If you were involved in this incident or a similar incident and have questions as to your rights and options, call us or another reputable law firm. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. Get a consultation. The best law firms will provide a free consultation. We provide a free, confidential consultation to not at fault persons named in this article. The free consultation offer extends to family members as well.

Long Beach Train Accident Causes Injuries is a post from: BestAttorney.com - BISNAR | CHASE California Personal Injury Lawyers

Several people sustained injuries in a San Francisco train accident after a San Francisco Municipal Railway light rail vehicle and a passenger transport van collided the morning of May 20, 2010. According to a Bay City News report, the collision occurred at the intersection of 14th Avenue and Judah Street in the city's Inner Sunset neighborhood. Six people who were in the van suffered injuries and were transported to area hospitals. No one in the light rail vehicle seems to have been injured. The extent or seriousness of the injuries is not yet known. An investigation is ongoing.

I sympathize with all the injured victims in this accident. I hope no one has sustained major injuries. I wish these victims the very best for a speedy and complete recovery.

Muni Accidents

According to California Highway Patrol's 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were 35 deaths and 3,577 injuries involving car accidents in San Francisco. According to Muni officials, accidents involving Muni vehicles have reduced by 8 percent between 2008 and 2009. Collisions fell by 18 percent between January 2009 and November compared to the same time period in 2008. However, it must be noted that passenger accidents increased 15 percent during the same time period.

Causes and Liability Issues

Based on this news report, it is not clear how or why this injury collision occurred. There are several questions here. Whose fault was this accident? It appears that this crash occurred at an intersection. Did one of the drivers fail to yield right-of-way or run a red light at the intersection? It is not entirely clear whether a van company operated the passenger van. I trust investigators are looking into whether impairment, distraction, speeding, traffic violations or any other form of negligence played a part in this crash.

If the Muni driver is determined to have been at fault here, the driver and his employer, the transit authority, could be held liable for the accident and injuries caused. If the van driver was at fault, then he and the van company could be held responsible for the injuries caused. Injured victims in such cases could seek compensation to cover medical expenses, loss of earnings, cost of hospitalization, physical therapy and other related damages. Under California Government Code section 911.2, any claim against a governmental agency must be filed within 180 days of the incident. The best San Francisco personal injury lawyers will always offer a free consultation and comprehensive claim evaluation to injured victims and their families.

Do you feel safe riding in a Muni vehicle? We would like to hear from you?

The BISNAR|CHASE personal injury law firm is not representing any of the parties mentioned in this article at the time the article was posted. Our information source is cited in the article. If you were involved in this incident or a similar incident and have questions as to your rights and options, call us or another reputable law firm. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. Get a consultation. The best law firms will provide a free consultation. We provide a free, confidential consultation to not at fault persons named in this article. The free consultation offer extends to family members as well.

Six Injured after Muni Train and Van Collide in San Francisco is a post from: BestAttorney.com - BISNAR | CHASE California Personal Injury Lawyers

A 57-year-old Metrolink passenger's hand was severed in an Orange County train accident after he fell off a platform and onto the tracks the morning of February 8, 2010 in Laguna Niguel. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, the northbound Metrolink train dragged the man as it pulled out of Forbes Road station. The train cut off the man's left hand at the wrist and dragged him for a short distance on the tracks. The man is expected to survive. However, he was transported to a hospital to be treated for the amputation.

My heart goes out to this man for the pain and suffering he has endured. Losing one's hand is a catastrophic injury – an injury that will affect a person for the rest of his or her life. I wish this injured victim the very best for a speedy and complete recovery. Please keep him in your prayers.

What Caused this Accident?

Based on this news report, it appears that officials are still looking into how exactly the passenger fell on to the tracks as the train was stopped at the station. The train then began to move as the man was on the tracks. He was then dragged by the train for about 87 feet. It is important to determine here, how or why the horrific accident occurred. How did the man fall on the tracks in the first place? Why did the train start moving? Why did the conductor not notice the man had slipped? Did the conductor perform a complete inspection and follow all procedures to make sure no one was in the process of getting off the train or boarding it?

Who is Liable?

If this accident occurred as a result of negligence on the part of the train's conductor or engineer, the injured victim in this case could file a personal injury claim against Metrolink. In such cases, victims could seek compensation to cover medical expenses, loss of wages, cost of hospitalization, surgery, rehabilitation and other related damages. In this catastrophic injury accident, lost future earnings may also be claimed if the loss of a hand prevents this individual from returning to his job. Victims in such cases, would be well-advised to consult with an experienced Orange County personal injury lawyer who will ensure that they receive fair compensation for their injuries, damages and losses.

The BISNAR|CHASE personal injury law firm is not representing any of the parties mentioned in this article at the time the article was posted. Our information source is cited in the article. If you were involved in this incident or a similar incident and have questions as to your rights and options, call us or another reputable law firm. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. Get a consultation. The best law firms will provide a free consultation. We provide a free, confidential consultation to not at fault persons named in this article. The free consultation offer extends to family members as well.

Man's Hand Severed in Orange County Train Accident is a post from: BestAttorney.com - BISNAR | CHASE California Personal Injury Lawyers

A driver was injured in a San Francisco car accident involving a Muni Metro train the afternoon of August 24, 2009, the San Francisco Chronicle reports. The inbound L Taraval train was on Taraval Street when it collided with the car heading south on 34th Avenue. The male driver of the car, who was not identified, was taken to San Francisco General Hospital with injuries. Officials say they do not know yet what caused this collision. There are stop signs at the intersection for traffic on 34th Avenue, but not for traffic on Taraval.

I sincerely hope the driver here was not seriously injured as a result of this car accident. I wish him the very best for a speedy and complete recovery. Please keep him in your prayers.

San Francisco Car Accident Statistics

According to California Highway Patrol's 2007 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were 51 fatalities and 3,632 injuries involving car accidents in San Francisco.

Based on this newspaper report, it is hard to tell who had the right-of-way at the time of the accident or what caused this California car accident . In any car versus train accident, it is extremely important to look into the state of the train operator at the time of the accident. Was he or she distracted at the time of the crash (use of cell phone, texting, talking to a passenger)? Was the driver impaired in any way or intoxicated at the time of the crash? Was there an element of negligence such as recklessness or carelessness? If the answer to any of these questions is "yes," then the injured driver may be able to file a personal injury claim against the train operator and his/her employer, the Muni transit system.

San Francisco Personal Injury Lawyer

In such cases, it is in the best interest of injured victims and their families to consult an experienced San Francisco personal injury lawyer, who will analyze all aspects of the car accident and make sure that the victim's legal rights are protected. A skilled car accident lawyer will also look into whether there was a dangerous condition at the intersection that caused or contributed to the collision. If that was the case, the city or governmental agency responsible for maintaining that roadway could also be held liable. Any such claim against a governmental agency in California must be properly filed within 180 days of the accident or injury.

San Francisco Car Accident Injures Driver is a post from: BestAttorney.com - BISNAR | CHASE California Personal Injury Lawyers

Howard Mark Carter, 62, was killed in a California car accident the night of August 10, 2009 on the 91 Freeway after his BMW went through a guardrail and was struck by a freight train. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, Carter was driving his 2007 BMW west on the freeway near Corona, California, when his car swerved from the left lanes to the right shoulder and struck about 50 feet of guardrail. California Highway Patrol officials said Carter's car then rolled down a dirt embankment and stopped on the railroad tracks below. An oncoming train then struck the BMW on the passenger side, which caused the car to overturn on its roof. Carter was pronounced dead at the scene. No one else was injured.

I offer my deepest condolences to the family and friends of Howard Mark Carter for their tragic and sudden loss. My heart goes out to everyone who knew and loved Carter. Please keep them in your prayers.

Riverside Car Accident Statistics

According to California Highway Patrol's 2007 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were 12 fatalities and 743 injuries involving car accidents in Corona. In Riverside County as a whole, 279 deaths and 9,925 injuries were reported as a result of car accidents.

Based on this news report, it is not clear what caused this tragic Corona car accident. But something obviously went horribly wrong. Carter may have suffered a medical condition. There may have been an auto product defect or mechanical malfunction in his BMW, which may have caused him to lose control. He may have struck debris on the freeway or encountered a dangerous condition on the roadway, which caused him to crash.

Contacting a California Car Accident Lawyer

Victims who have been seriously injured in a car crash or those families who have lost loved ones in such car accidents would be well-advised to consult with an experienced California personal injury lawyer who has a successful track record handling complex car accident cases. The best California car accident law firms always offer a free and comprehensive initial consultation to injured victims and/or their families.

Orange County Man Killed in Car Accident Involving Train is a post from: BestAttorney.com - BISNAR | CHASE California Personal Injury Lawyers

Juan Tejada, 54, was killed in a California construction accident the afternoon of July 14, 2009 after his pickup truck was struck by an Amtrak train in Bay Point. According to a CBS News report, Tejada was an employee of the ARB construction company in Pittsburgh. The train versus car crash occurred near North Broadway Avenue and Willow Pass Road in unincorporated Contra Costa County, California Highway Patrol officials said. The collision happened at a private crossing on BNSF railway tracks. No one in the train was injured. Tejada was taken to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Officials from the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health are investigating the incident. They will be looking into what caused Tejada's truck to be hit and will try to determine whether any safety procedures were violated. The investigation could apparently take three to four months.

My heart goes out to the family and friends of Juan Tejada for their tragic and heartbreaking loss. I offer my deepest condolences to them. Please keep the Tejada family in your prayers.

According to accident statistics posted by the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH), there were 186 industrial accident fatalities involving vehicles in 2005, in the state.

Based on this news report, it is not clear how or why this train-car collision occurred. There are many questions that remain unanswered at this point. What type of work was Tejada doing near the tracks at the time? Was the train crossing equipped with crossing arms, lights or other safety features? Did Tejada receive sufficient warning that an Amtrak train was approaching? The answers to these questions will help determine who or what was responsible for this tragic fatal accident.

Tejada's family would be well advised to contact an experienced California personal injury lawyer who is not only well-versed in workers compensation issues, but also has a successful track record with filing "third-party claims." These are basically claims against entities that are not the victim's employer, but other parties that could be held liable for his injuries. In this case that third party could be Amtrak. Of course, Tejada's family would be entitled to California workers compensation benefits, but they are woefully inadequate and hardly sufficient to compensate families for the loss of a primary breadwinner, not to mention, a beloved family member.

California Construction Worker Hit and Killed by Amtrak Train is a post from: BestAttorney.com - BISNAR | CHASE California Personal Injury Lawyers