The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has ruled that the catastrophic Chatsworth Metrolink train accident, of September 2008 was caused by a train engineer who missed a red signal because he was texting and because of the lack of an automatic braking system. According to a news report in the Los Angeles Times, the ruling comes more than a year after the Metrolink crash, which killed 25 people and seriously injured more than 100 commuters. Safety officials said definitively that the Metrolink engineer "compromised his ability to observe and appropriately respond" to the red signal because he was texting while operating the train.

Deterring Inappropriate Use of Wireless Devices

Federal officials have also pointed out that, eyewitness accounts, which say the light was green when the commuter train crashed into a freight train, are not reliable. The board hearing emphasized the fact that Metrolink did not conduct sufficient or effective field testing to detect and deter improper use of cell phones and other wireless devices in train control cabs. The board recommended installing video cameras in cabs to deter and detect this type of behavior.

Installing Automatic Braking Systems

Federal investigators also brought up the lack of Positive Train Control (PTC) systems, which is an automatic braking system. PTC uses Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) technology to spot two trains on a collision course and automatically apply brakes on both trains to effectively prevent such a catastrophic crash. Such a braking system would also slow trains that go past a yellow signal and stop them before they go past a red signal. If Metrolink officials, who knew about the availability of this technology, had installed the high-tech PTC system in their trains, this horrific crash may have been prevented.

Claims for Compensation Still Pending

These official findings and recommendations have already been talked about time and time again although they have not been formally presented until this week. Metrolink has know for years about automatic braking systems and yet failed to install them because they were too costly. Now, Metrolink is facing costly lawsuits filed by these victims who have suffered serious personal injuries, and families who have lost their loved ones in the tragedy. It would have cost less to install the PTC system than what it is going to cost Metrolink to settle the 100 plus claims for compensation.

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.

Metrolink Train Accident Caused by Texting Driver, Officials Say is a post from: Personal Injury Attorney News Portal

This week will mark the first anniversary of the fatal Los Angeles Metrolink train accident which occurred September 12, 2008, killing 25 and injuring 130. No question about it--it was the worst commuter train accident in Southern California history. A year after the Chatsworth train crash, Metrolink officials are still struggling with changes and safety reforms that are getting more complex and more expensive, the Los Angeles Times reports in a recent article.

Unfortunately, it took this catastrophic train accident to prod Metrolink to make changes and improvements. First, they learned that the engineer who was operating the train was texting seconds before the crash occurred. He apparently went right though a red light and crashed head-on into a freight train. Secondly, there was also a lot of discussion about the safety technology Metrolink had in place at the time. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) officials said during the investigation that they have long been urging Metrolink to install Positive Train Control (PTC) systems that use Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) systems to monitor train locations and speeds. With this system, if engineers ignore signals, the electronic devices automatically put on the brakes. These technologies, federal officials say, may have prevented head-on collisions such as the fatal Chatsworth wreck.

Significant Safety Challenges

A Times investigation shows Metrolink has been facing significant challenges over the last few years. Ridership has been falling. Fare revenues have dropped $1.4 million in the last quarter alone. Operating insurance premiums surged $1 million above estimates because of Metrolink's accident history over the last decade. The average was apparently one potentially catastrophic liability payout every two years. Although, thankfully, no catastrophic crashes have occurred since Chatsworth, smaller Metrolink accidents involving cars and pedestrians have not come down.

The bottom line here is that the Chatsworth tragedy could have been avoided. That is the fact that saddens and angers victims and their families the most. The catastrophic crash could have been avoided by adhering to safety regulations, demanding more aggressive and diligent enforcement of rules and investing in new technologies instead of clinging to antiquated systems. Another requirement Metrolink is looking into is having surveillance cameras in trains to monitor the actions of the driver and conductor.

Best Wishes to Train Accident Victims

As the first anniversary of this horrific tragedy approaches, my heart goes out to all the injured victims and the families who have been heartbroken by the loss of their loved ones. Many are still pursuing lawsuits against Metrolink. I hope these individuals get the justice and compensation they rightfully deserve. The California personal injury lawyers at BISNAR | CHASE send out our heartfelt prayers to all the victims of this tragic accident.

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 source for the facts 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, please contact us or another reputable law firm. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. Get a consultation. Most of the best law firms will provide accident victims a free consultation.

We cannot fully inform any party or family member about their rights, options or the economic viability of any claim for compensation without a full investigation and consultation. We will not be conducting an investigation into this matter unless we are retained by a party. We will provide a free, confidential consultation to any, not at fault, person named in this article. The free consultation offer extends to family members as well.

First Anniversary of Tragic Chatsworth Metrolink Train Accident Approaches is a post from: Personal Injury Attorney News Portal