With the recent deadly Amtrak accident in Philadelphia and with regulators citing Minneapolis as being particularly at risk of oil train accidents, the train industry has been under fire for lax safety standards and for its failure to protect passengers. At the end of May, train safety once again became the focus of local attention after a train worker was killed when he was struck by track material that a passing train had hit.
According to the Star Tribune, the victim was part of a seven-person crew working in the northeast Minneapolis rail yard.
The accident occurred because a passing train collided with track materials causing the materials to strike the victim. The family will likely be entitled to receive worker’s compensation, given that the victim was on duty and working when he was tragically struck. Of course, only a skilled personal injury lawyer familiar with the details of the incident can properly evaluate the case.
This tragic accident highlights the fact that garbage and other materials left beside train tracks in Minneapolis, Minnesota can pose a serious risk to drivers and pedestrians driving or walking nearby. When a train hits this debris, it can become a deadly projectile, leading to a wide range of injuries.
Debris on the road is not just a danger near train tracks. Highway and street trash can also pose a hazard to drivers, bicyclists, and pedestrians. The Los Angeles Times reported that a six-year-old girl suffered brain damage when truck debris hit her parent’s car. The girl had been secured in a safety seat at the time of the accident.
Truck debris can be particularly dangerous to drivers. Every year trucks accidentally dump quite a bit of garbage on roadways. Some of the items the Los Angeles Times noted included avocados, tar, plywood, and even a coffin and a human body. Drivers don’t often anticipate road debris when evaluating the highway for safety. After all, we expect that the goods that trucks are shipping will be securely fastened and won’t come hurtling toward us at speeds sometimes exceeding 65 miles per hour.
Unfortunately, when it comes to road debris, there is little that drivers can do to protect themselves and their loved ones. The city is responsible for keeping highways clean and free of dangerous debris, but sometimes, officials can’t get to the debris fast enough. In the time it takes the city to clean up the mess, innocent people can be seriously injured through no fault of their own.
If you’ve been injured due to railroad, truck, or highway debris in Minneapolis, Minnesota, you and your loved ones may be entitled to reimbursement and compensation under the law. The Law Office of Martin T. Montilino specializes in helping personal injury victims receive compensation for their injuries. Whether the careless party responsible for the debris is the city of Minneapolis for failing to clean it up, train companies, or truck companies, the Law Office of Martin T. Montilino will fight for you.