Breaking News:
Amtrak Derailment Injures
Dozens-July 2002
Previous Causes:
The most common cause of a derailment of this kind is poorly maintained track. Often the two tracks loosen and separate over time resulting in what is called "wide gage", when this occurs the distance between the two rails expands creating a dangerous condition. Other failures can occur as the track warps or develops weak points after heavy use. The bulge suspected in this crash, sometimes called a "sun bulge" is caused by heated track which warps. CSX Transportation owns and maintains the tracks in Florida where the derailment took place. The National Transportation Safety Board, the same federal agency that investigates plane crashes will be responsible for investigating the cause. Since 1998, Amtrak trains derailed 258 times.
An Amtrak spokesman, stated that the two locomotives that power the train did not derail. The train derailed after the first passenger car. According to Amtrak 14 passenger cars derailed, seven turned on their sides and seven of the did not turn over. The train had two engines, 16 passenger cars and 23 automobile-carrying cars called auto racks. The train has a speed limit of 60 mph in the section it derailed and has a top speed of 70 mph. The train had only traveled 44 miles when it derailed at 5:08 p.m., according to Amtrak.The Auto Train carries passengers with automobiles overnight between Florida and Virginia. The train is used by people to transport their own cars up the coast. Many are retirees and the train is popular with families traveling between Florida theme parks and Washington, DC.
We represent victims of train accidents, who are injured by negligence. If you or a loved one have suffered an injury related to a railroad or train accident, please contact us to discuss the legal issues you need to address.
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