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Investigators Begin Identifying Men Suspected of Assaulting Disabled Women

San Francisco Light Rail Crash Lawyers

An investigation has begun into the San Francisco Municipal Railway light rail crash on July 18, 2009. If you are one of the four dozen people injured in the West Portal Station light rail crash, contact the law firm of Estey & Bomberger, LLP for a free and confidential, no-obligation consultation of your legal rights. If we represent you in a claim, we will not charge a fee unless we obtain compensation for your injuries.  

July 18 San Francisco Light Rail Accident

Nearly 50 people were injured on July 18, 2009, when two San Francisco Municipal Railway light rail trains crashed in San Francisco. The accident occurred at the West Portal station, at about 2:30 p.m. A westbound L-Taraval train collided into the rear of a K-Ingleside train as it emerged from a tunnel, near the train’s boarding platform. According to reports, the L train was estimated to be travelling 23 mph, and did not slow down as it neared the West Portal station. The K train was apparently stopped. The operator never engaged the emergency brake before the collision.

The San Francisco light rail train collision is the third public transportation rail accident in recent months. In May, 62 people were injured when a Boston trolley rear-ended another trolley. In June, nine people were killed and 80 people were injured when a subway train rear-ended another in Washington, D.C.

San Francisco Light Rail Accident Injuries

Four people were critically injured in the July 18 SF Muni Metro accident, including the operator of the L train.  Dozens of other injured people were taken by ambulance or bus to area hospitals, including San Francisco General Hospital. Many victims suffered potentially severe head, neck and back injuries.

NTSB Train Accident Investigation

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) began investigating the accident on July 19. Investigators will determine whether the driver went against standard operating procedure by switching the train from automatic to manual control just moments before the crash. The NTSB, an independent U.S. government agency, is typically the lead investigative agency for mass transportation accidents such as the West Portal station light rail crash. A spokesman for the NTSB said the agency would determine if operator cell phone use played a role in the crash, as is now standard in all train crash investigations.

The Cause of the Muni Metro Crash

The cause of the crash has still not been determined.  Witnesses reported the driver appeared to be slumped over the train’s controls just before the crash. Two days following the accident, the president of the San Francisco Transit Workers Union stated that a “medical condition” was the cause of the train operator’s loss of consciousness shortly before the crash, which resulted in the collision.

Protect Your Rights if You Have Been Injured

If you or a member of your family were hurt in the July 18 light rail collision, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries, including your medical expenses, time away from work, and pain and suffering. Before you speak to attorneys for the railroad or give a statement to insurance carriers, it is best to talk to an attorney. For a free consultation with Estey & Bomberger Muni accident lawyers, call us toll-free (800) 925-0723. By law, you have only a limited amount of time to file a claim for your injuries.   We are available 24/7 to discuss your case over the phone; home and hospital consultations are also available.

About Estey & Bomberger, LLP

Estey & Bomberger is one of California’s premier serious injury law firms. We represent victims of transportation accidents, including Muni accidents, BART accidents, Amtrak accidents, and other local transportation accidents. Our lawyers are seasoned advocates with more than 70 years of combined experience. Additionally, we work with investigators and engineers with decades of experience in railroad collisions. Call us today to see how we can help you. We do not charge a fee unless we obtain a verdict or settlement.

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