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Tragic Washington, D.C., train wreck kills 9, injures more than 70

Nine people died when a Metrorail commuter train slammed into another commuter train on Monday, June 22, in Washington, D.C. This tragedy marks the worst train wreck in the city’s history.

The Metrorail commuter train was “a mangled cluster of metal and glass,” which left 9 dead and more than 70 injured, according to the New York Times.

The train accident occurred when Metrorail Train 112 rear-ended Train 214 around 5 p.m. between the Takoma and Fort Totten stations. Both trains were headed toward downtown Washington when the crash occurred. The first train, No. 214, stopped because another train in front had stopped at the Fort Totten platform. The force of the impact was tremendous, which left the second train on top of the first train.

A National Transportation Safety Board spokesperson said the agency had previously voiced concerns about the safety of the city’s older trains. Train 112 was part of Metrorail’s 1000 series, and had cars more than 30 years old. Train 214 was comprised of more modern rail cars than the striking train and is likely to contain event data recorders, which may provide investigators with more details about what caused the crash.

In 1996, the agency recommended a comprehensive safety evaluation of the city’s older trains, and they also recommended all of the older trains be fitted with event recorders. D.C. Metro declined to make any changes. A similar recommendation was made again in 2006, but again, those recommendations were not addressed by local authorities.

Officials are investigating the cause of the Washington, D.C., train accident, which is believed to be a possible failure of Metrorail’s computerized signal system that is supposed to prevent trains from coming close enough to collide. Another possible cause is operator error.

The accident is still under investigation, but if you or someone you care about has been affected, we may be able to help. Call our firm today to speak with one of our Washington, D.C., train attorneys and learn what we can do for you in your time of need.

To learn more about the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA) and how it may affect those involved in train accidents, click here.

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Our Maryland personal injury lawyers concentrate on auto accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, workers’ compensation, maritime injuries, social security disability, athletic injuries, pedestrian accidents, and pharmaceutical/drug recalls. We also handle cases involving spinal/disc injuries, broken bones, disfigurement, wrongful death, defective machinery / products, construction accidents, and slip and fall accidents among other personal injury cases. Find out how our Maryland or Virginia injury lawyers can help you, contact us today.