New Jersey Personal Injury Blog

34 Passengers Injured in Hoboken PATH Train Accident

A PATH train accident in New Jersey at a Hoboken station injured 34 passengers on May 8, 2011. According to The Star-Ledger, the train hit a spring bumper/barrier at the termination of some tracks. Injured passengers were transported to Hoboken University Medical Center, Jersey City Medical Center and Christ Hospital. Most of those injured are reported to have neck injuries, minor scrapes and bruises.

Witnesses to the accident stated it happened abruptly, with the train screeching, then colliding into the barrier. One witness stated he saw about 10 to 15 individuals being transported on stretchers or with cervical collars to stabilize their necks. A spokesman for the Jersey City Medical Center said that patients at the hospital were conscious and being evaluated for broken bones.

The National Traffic Safety Board (NTSB) is investigating the accident and The Port Authority has not yet made public a cause for the accident; however, investigators are likely to examine whether operator error or a defective train component contributed to the accident. The train motorman is also expected to be tested for drugs and alcohol.

At Blume Goldfaden, our experienced New Jersey train accident attorneys are committed to protecting the rights of individuals injured in various types of accidents caused by the negligence of another person or entity. As a result, our personal injury lawyers have obtained significant recoveries for our clients for decades. To learn more about your legal rights or to learn whether or not you may have a meritorious case, call 973-635-5400 for a no-cost consultation.

Man and NJ Transit Train Collide, Man Dies

A New Jersey Transit train headed to New York was involved in a pedestrian accident at the New Bridge Landing Station in River Edge, New Jersey. According to a report issued by nj.com, the express train was headed Northbound when the accident occurred. The victim, a 49-year-old man from Teaneck, may or may not have purposely stepped in front of the train before he was fatally struck. None of the 350 on-board passenger train riders were injured during the incident. Police are still investigating the matter. This was the 16th pedestrian death involving a New Jersey Transit train in 2009, and, the second of its kind to occur in recent weeks.

Pedestrian accidents involving trains often result in serious injury or death. While the above case suggests a possible suicide, an investigation has not yet been determined what exactly caused the man to fall in front of the train’s path. If accidental, the investigators need to precisely determine how the man was able to enter onto the tracks in the first place. If safety railing and other deterrents could have been put in place to possibly prevent such an accident from occurring, then those entities designing, controlling and maintaining, the train station may be responsible.

Transit companies have an obligation to ensure the safety of pedestrians and their riders. As a common carrier involved in the business of transportation, they owe a higher degree of care than do ordinary citizens. They must take all necessary precautions to see to it that tragic events such as the one identified herein are avoided

If you have been injured in a New Jersey train accident, contact a skilled New Jersey personal injury attorney at Blume Goldfaden. Our experienced attorneys will investigate the circumstances of your train accident to determine whether negligence by the transit company or its employees contributed to your accident and injuries. Call us today at 973-635-5400 for more information and a no cost consultation with regard to your potential case.

Source:http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2009/09/fatal_accident_involving_nj_tr.html