Families of Two Teens Receive Settlement for Fatal Light Rail Accident

Virginia (VA) Mass Transit Accident Injury Lawyers
Offices in VA Beach, Hampton & Elizabeth City, NC

Mass Transit (Airline, Train, Bus)

1/24/2010
Shapiro, Lewis & Appleton
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Families of Two Teens Receive Settlement for Fatal Light Rail Accident

Two teens were hit and killed by a light rail train traveling in Lutherville, Maryland (MD) back in July of 2009. The families of these teens were considering filing a lawsuit but reach a $1.5 million settlement via mediation from the Maryland Board of Public Works, according to myfoxdc.com.

The two teens were walking along southbound tracks when a light rail train that usually travels on northbound tracks came out of nowhere and hit the teens. The operator of the train did not stop and another train that traveled by later that day allegedly failed to notice the two bodies.

The families' attorneys filed a legal notice stating the train operator took their eyes off the track just before the accident and had no satisfactory explanation for their actions. In addition, both rail operators did not report the sighting of the teens on the tracks and the agency lacked a procedure for notifying operators to take extra precautions when trains were being operated on alternate tracks. Both train operators were eventually fired and six other employees were disciplined, according to the Baltimore Sun.

A $1.5 million settlement is not enough to truly compensate the family members who are struggling with grief. No settlement amount is ever enough for a loss of life. Though, I am glad to see the families receive something for their pain and suffering.

These types of settlements will hopefully send a signal to the rest of the rail community that following proper safety procedures is crucial.

Labels: accident Accidents Attorney Cooper injury light rail loss of life MD safety train trains

About the Editors: Shapiro, Lewis & Appleton is a Viriginia injury law firm whose attorneys focus on personal injury and accident law and have experience handling cases for victims of mass transit accidents such as airplane, train and bus crashes. In fact, our law firm published a free consumer safety guide on what to do if you are hurt in a plane wreck.

We have offices in Virginia Beach and Hampton, Virginia but we're ready to come to you anywhere in VA including Suffolk, Portsmouth, Chesapeake, Newport News and Norfolk, VA, if you've been seriously hurt by someone else's carelessness.

Rick Shapiro and James Lewis have been included among the Best Lawyers in America since 2008, and have been named Virginia Super Lawyers for Personal Injury Law since 2010, an honor fewer than 5 percent of lawyers receive.

Shapiro and Lewis have also been selected for inclusion in the National Million Dollar Advocates Forum since 2009. In addition, ours was the first injury law firm in Virginia to join Primerus, a select group of highly ethical and respected law firms. Our VA mass transit injury law firm has the highest rating of AV from Martindale-Hubbell, a national lawyer ranking organization, which means we have a reputation for preeminent legal skill.

While not every injury case meets our criteria, we offer free initial confidential injury case consultations. Call us toll free at (800) 752-0042. If you cannot get through due to high call volume, please leave a voicemail so we can respond directly to you.

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Families of Two Teens Receive Settlement for Fatal Light Rail Accident

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