In July, we wrote about an accident involving the Brightline train system and its history of collisions. Unfortunately, another accident has recently occurred, this one leaving a woman in critical condition.
As reported by the Miami Herald, a woman was badly injured in a collision in the middle of October when a Brightline train crashed into her vehicle in Pompano Beach. Pictures published in the Herald show the car as little more than a twisted bunch of metal and glass resting near the train tracks.
According to officials, emergency personnel responded promptly to the scene. The driver, who is 56 years old, was trapped inside her vehicle. Fortunately, emergency personnel were able to free her before taking her to Broward Health North to receive treatment.
The Brightline train system began testing in 2017, and seven people have already been killed—an uncomfortably high number. There is no reason to believe that there won’t be more accidents in the future.
Assigning Fault
Under Florida law, you can’t sue a train company unless they are somehow at fault for the accident. The simple fact that you were injured—even badly injured—does not mean that the train company is responsible.
A classic example is suicide. If someone jumps in front of a train to kill themselves, they are responsible for the accident, not the train company. However, even in other situations, a driver or pedestrian might be negligent or reckless, even if not suicidal. For example, a person might try to beat a train across the tracks. If they misjudge their speed, they are to probably to blame for the collision.
What to Do After a Train Accident
If you are injured by a Brightline train, you should take the following steps:
- Take picture of the damage to your car, if you can get out and move around. If you can’t, you will just need to contact emergency services to come get you.
- Identify witnesses to the accident, if possible. Someone might have seen the collision.
- Write down your own memories as soon as possible. You are an important witness as to how the accident unfolded, so record everything you remember as soon as you are feeling up to it.
Hire an Attorney
To receive compensation after an accident, you will need an experienced Miami personal injury attorney to fight for you. At Dolan Dobrinsky Rosenblum Bluestein, we have decades of combined experience providing top-shelf legal representation. Contact us today by calling 305-371-2692. We offer a free initial consultation.