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Noteworthy Amtrak Accidents That Have Occurred in Pennsylvania

Posted in Car Accidents on Tuesday, November 22, 2022.

Amtrak is a national passenger rail service that operates throughout the United States, including in the state of Pennsylvania. While Amtrak has a strong safety record, there have been several notable accidents that have occurred in Pennsylvania over the years. Here are a few of the most noteworthy Amtrak accidents that have taken place in the state.

Philadelphia derailment (2015)

In May 2015, an Amtrak train derailed in Philadelphia, killing eight people and injuring more than 200 others. The train was traveling from Washington, D.C. to New York City when it derailed as it was entering a curve at a high speed. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) later determined that the cause of the accident was the engineer’s failure to slow the train down as it approached the curve. The NTSB also found that the lack of positive train control (PTC), a technology that can automatically slow or stop a train to prevent accidents, was a contributing factor to the derailment.

Hyndman derailment (2017)

In July 2017, an Amtrak train derailed in Hyndman, Pennsylvania, killing two people and injuring dozens of others. The train was traveling from Chicago to New York City when it derailed in a rural area near the Maryland-Pennsylvania border. The NTSB later determined that the cause of the accident was a rockslide that had occurred earlier in the day, which had damaged the tracks and caused the train to derail.

Chester derailment (2018)

In April 2018, an Amtrak train derailed in Chester, Pennsylvania, causing minor injuries to several passengers. The train was traveling from New York City to Savannah, Georgia when it derailed as it was crossing over a bridge. The NTSB later determined that the cause of the accident was a broken rail, which had likely been caused by the corrosion of the rail due to a lack of maintenance.

Seeking Compensation After an Amtrak Accident

Amtrak has a strong safety record, but like any form of transportation, accidents can occur. The accidents in Philadelphia, Hyndman, and Chester serve as reminders of the importance of maintaining proper safety protocols and infrastructure, as well as the need for technologies like positive train control to help prevent accidents from occurring. While these accidents were all unfortunate, they also highlight the importance of continuing to work towards improving safety in the rail industry.

Hopefully, you’ll never be involved in such an accident. However, if you are, you may be eligible to pursue compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and other such losses.

Review your case with a Philadelphia Amtrak accident attorney at Soloff & Zervanos for more information. We’re prepared to offer the aggressive representation you need. Get started today by contacting us online or calling us at 215-929-7216.