We have already written a couple of posts about Positive Train Control, which the CEO of Metrolink described as “perhaps the most important safety innovation in our lifetime”. (The first article explained how Positive Train Control can prevent several types of deadly train accidents and the delays in implementing it. …
Last Sunday morning a New York commuter train bound for Manhattan’s Grand Central Station derailed on a sharp curve killing 4 innocent people, critically injuring 11 people and injuring another 46 passengers. While the NTSB is still investigating the accident, early information indicates the train was traveling 82 mph on a curve…
The good news: technology exists which will prevent a large number of serious train crashes. The bad news: implementation of this technology will likely be delayed causing commuter train passengers and others to remain at risk. Below is the background of this important issue. In September of 2008, a Metrolink commuter train…
If you have been seriously injured in an accident with a state or local government employee, your case is subject to a number of special rules and procedures. Below is an explanation of two of the special rules and a practical hurdle our office sees time and time again. The first…
Halloween is a wonderful holiday for kids: costumes, trick-or-treating with friends, candy. But, it can also be a very dangerous holiday. A child is twice as likely to be hit and killed by a car on Halloween. Here are some steps to help avoid a tragic accident that will affect the lives of…
In Nashville and other cities across Tennessee, pedestrian traffic has increased as more and more people have chosen to live in an urban environment that allows for easy walks to work, restaurants, bars, museums, and retail centers. Tennessee is also blessed with many beautiful roadways which walkers, joggers and runners use for…
With summer’s sweltering temperatures coming to an end, more Tennessee bicyclists and runners will take to the streets. So, it is a good time for all of us to remember our respective rights and responsibilities on the roadway. In Part One, we will start with bicyclists and Part Two will cover pedestrians.…
Sports bars can be a great place to watch a football game: huge televisions, multiple games on at one time, wings, pizza and beer. In the fall, it is easy to see how an entire Saturday or Sunday afternoon can be spent at the bar watching college or professional football. Of course,…
Pedestrian deaths in traffic accidents nationally increased from 4109 in 2009 to 4432 in 2011, according to the United States Department of Transportation. Deaths to men numbered deaths to women (3086 versus 1345) and 19% of the deaths were a result of hit and run accidents. In Tennessee, 1221 pedestrians…
The recent train derailment in Quebec, Canada caused me to investigate how many train accidents we have had recently in Tennessee. In the first four months of 2013, there have been twelve incidents involving trains in Tennessee. Seven of those incidents involved derailments, the largest of which occurred…