We Are Currently Investigating the Amtrak 188 Derailment
Our legal team is currently investigating injuries as a result of the Amtrak derailment that killed eight and injured more than 200 people near Philadelphia last Tuesday, May 12. Train 188, a Northeast Regional, was going 106 mph when it entered a curve with a speed limit of 50 mph.
What Caused the Amtrak crash?
Victims, families, and investigators are working hard to determine what the cause of the Amtrak 188 derailment was. Experts have speculated over a variety of possible causes, including:
- Speed
- Human Error
- Track Condition
- A Rock Thrown At the Train
So far, evidence suggests that the accident could have been prevented. Experts, including those of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), have stated that its possible that this wreck would not have occurred if certain safety precautions were in place, particularly an automated speed control system that could have automatically slowed the train.
The engineer has claimed that he does not remember all the events leading up to the crash. Traumatic events like this can strongly affect the mind. Fortunately for everyone involved, the engineer is cooperating.
Evidence has also surfaced that indicates that a rock may have been hurled at the train shortly before the accident. Whether or not this is a factor has yet to be determined. Scarily enough, two other trains that same night were struck by rocks.
The local police, NTSB, and FBI are working diligently to line up how and why this fatal disaster occurred.
What to Do If Injured in the Amtrak Crash
Step #1: Seek Medical Attention for All Problems
The victims of Amtrak 188 were immediately escorted to local hospitals, many of which were discharged within the following day or two after the derailment. However, it’s important to pay attention to your body’s signals.
If you experience any pain in your body, go see a medical professional. Whether you see your family physician, are admitted into a hospital, or a chiropractor, be sure to seek medical attention.
Accidents produce injuries that might not apparent immediately. It’s possible that you could have suffered a variety of injuries that might manifest and show themselves days, weeks, or even months down the road. Such injuries include:
- Back/neck pain
- Joint problems
- Whiplash
- Post traumatic stress syndrome (PTSD)
- Depression
Seeking medical support needs to be your primary focus after any injury, and especially in one as traumatic as the Amtrak 188 crash.
Step #2: Have a Lawyer Examine Your Situation
Accidents not only produce many types of physical injuries to the mind and body, they also affect your life and the activities you can do. What all you can no longer do may not be apparent for some time. Activities that might be impacted include:
- Ability to work / produce income
- Mobility impairment (for example, walking with a limp or being wheelchair bound)
- Unable to lift certain objects
- Breathing impairment
- Incapable of participating in physical activities (for example, martial arts or scuba diving)
Accidents, like the Amtrak 188 derailment, require specific processes to be followed in order for victims to be eligible for compensation. Victims must ensure that they meet these deadlines and fulfill these obligations or else they may lose their eligibility. These include:
- Notifying the other party that you intend to sue
- Filing your lawsuit within the time afforded by the statutes of limitations
- Assembling evidence to prove that the accident and injury were a result of the offending party’s negligence
The lawyers and staff at Gacovino Lake have served more than 20,000 injured victims over the last 22 years. You do not have to pay to have our team serve you. We only get paid if, and when, you do. Click here to request a free consultation.
Step #3: Keep a Journal
You not only need to prove that your injury was the result of the other party’s negligence, you need to prove your injury. If you do not visit a doctor, it is difficult to prove that you suffered certain injuries. Also, it’s easy to forget things over the course of these lawsuits. We have found that it significantly helps our clients to keep a journal. This allows us to create a clear timeline when arguing your case. Examples of things to note in your journal:
- Doctor visits
- Prescriptions
- Activities you cannot do as you could before
- Feelings/thoughts (for example: if you feel depressed, have nightmares, or have speech difficulty)
- Medical bills
- Property damaged by the incident
The more notes the better. This allows us to help you build the best possible case to argue for compensation. Lawsuits like these can take months or years to achieve a positive resolution. And while it is all so real and vivid right now, months down the road it may not be. This is why we strongly recommend you keep a journal of all the above and anything else you feel may be pertinent.
FREE Legal Consultation
It costs you nothing to speak with our legal team and there are no obligations if you choose to consult with us. Hiring Gacovino Lake means that we fight for you. We will shoulder the costs of litigation, and we will only get paid if and when you do. Our team has handled thousands complicated accidents. When you hire Gacovino Lake, you hire a team with experience, compassion, and aggression. We are here to fight for you.
Click to call now: (888) LAW-8500.
