Train derailments are routinely accidents involving extensive damage and wreckage. However, the truly horrific derailments also result in the loss of life. Unfortunately, this type of tragic train derailment occurred in Ellicott City, Maryland (MD). A CSX train derailed and two bodies were discovered in the aftermath of the wreck.
The victims were two young girls, both age 19 and both Ellicott City residents. One of the victims was a student at James Madison University and the other was a student at the University of Delaware, according to Reuters.com.
Two locomotives were involved and 21 out of 80 cars became derailed. Reports indicate the operators of the train’s two locomotives were unharmed.
The exact cause of the accident remains unknown. Whatever the cause, we want to send our deepest sympathies to the families of the victims. Losing a loved one is one of the difficult and traumatic experiences anyone can suffer through in life, but the pain is made even worse when the victim is young and they lose their life unexpectedly.
Our personal injury law firm understands the devastation a train wreck can inflict on innocent individuals. In 2000, we represented a store clerk who suffered a serious brain injury after a Norfolk Southern train derailed. In the blink of an eye, our client’s life was changed forever. After years of litigation, we were able to secure a $60 million (with interest) verdict for our client against the at-fault railroad.
If it turns out one, or both, of the train operators were negligent and/or reckless in their operation of the locomotives, the families may have grounds to file a wrongful death claim against the railroad. Our firm published an in-depth article on the elements of a wrongful death claim. Take a moment to read that article here.
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