A train on the Long Island Railroad (LIRR) failed to stop and crashed into a bumper barrier at the Atlantic Terminal in Brooklyn. More than 100 people were injured, however, luckily, there were no fatalities. The LIRR is a staple commuter train in New York. It connects New York suburbs with New York proper and transports thousands of passengers a day.
The train in question was carrying between 600 and 700 passengers. When the train hit the bumper, the two front cars derailed, causing the injuries. Eyewitnesses describe a confused scene in which no one was sure if it was a bomb, accident, or something else. The most severe injuries were a handful of broken bones.
Thomas F. Prendergast, chairman of the Metropolitan Transit Authority which administers the LIRR, states that they do not know why the train failed to stop. There are plans for the government to interview the train operator. On LIRR trains, the train operator is solely responsible for running the train, including stopping it at the appropriate time.
The Federal Railroad Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board both announced that they are sending investigators.
If you were injured in an accident due to the negligent train operator, you might want to call an attorney; you could have a valid claim for personal injury. Train crashes, especially large ones like this one, are complicated because there are so many crash victims. The effect is that sometimes your claim can get drowned out. A lawyer can help ensure that your life and your injuries are not overlooked or forgotten.
Source: New York Times, “L.I.R.R. Crash in Brooklyn Injures More Than 100,” Eli Rosenberg and Noah Remnick, January 4, 2017
