Tempe police responded to a Thursday morning crash between a passenger car and a light rail train that left people inside the car and the train injured. The incident occurred near Apache Boulevard and Price Road just before noon.
Police and witnesses described a car driven by an elderly man and attempting an illegal u-turn as the cause of the crash. Though it is not clear the speed of either the car or the train at this time, police have stated that the car was pushed approximately 100 feet up the track after impact, suggesting that the train was traveling at a cruising speed before the crash.
Two people from the car were taken to area hospitals for treatment. A witness reported that the driver of the car was bleeding from his head and complaining of neck and back pain. The driver’s injuries were believed to be serious but everyone involved in the accident is expected to survive.
In addition to those in the car, several people on board the light rail suffered injuries. Some were treated at the scene by emergency medical personnel while others were transported to area hospitals. Officials believe that none on board the train suffered serious injuries and that the hospital visits were mostly precautionary.
Since the light rail first became operational, it has provided many in the Valley with a convenient and affordable means of transportation. Yet as with any form of transit, accidents still occur. The street level design of the light rail means that accidents with cars, trucks, or vans are capable and can be caused by the negligence of the driver of a passenger vehicle or the operator of a train.
When a train is involved, the damage can be extreme. A train is a large, heavy vehicle with a significant amount of momentum. When traveling at even a moderate speed, it can take a significant distance for brakes to slow or stop a train. An impact between a heavy train and a much lighter car almost always causes heavy damage to the car, increasing the risk of injuries to the car’s occupants.
After an accident involving a train, it may be difficult to determine what steps you should take. If you have been injured, your focus should be on your physical recovery and not how you will pay for your medical bills. A personal injury attorney may be able to help you understand your legal rights and whether you have a case for your losses.
At Abels & Annes, P.C., we are Phoenix train accident lawyers with experience handling and settling claims for the victims of train accidents. We provide legal representation to accident victims and their families and we use our skills to fight for our clients’ rights. If you have been hurt in an accident involving a train, call us today at (602) 819-5191 and let us provide you with a free telephone consultation. There is never an obligation associated with the call and we will never charge you a fee unless we make a recovery on your behalf. Call us now and let us help you understand your legal rights.
Prior Blog Entries:
Despite Increases in Deaths, Public Less Concerned About Distracted Driving, Phoenix Injury Lawyer Blog, published August 24, 2013.
Fire Truck Struck by SUV in Phoenix, Phoenix Injury Lawyer Blog, published August 20, 2013.
Resources:
Crash victims extricated in Tempe light-rail accident, by Miguel Otarola and Danika Worthington, The Arizona Republic-12 News, published August 22, 2013.