NTSB: Engineer Was Not Using Phone During Amtrak Accident

By Peter DePaolis
Attorney

Updating an ongoing story that we have been following, according to the National Transportation Safety Board, the engineer involved in last month’s Amtrak derailment was not using his cell phone at the time of the accident.

Update: Engineer Not Using Phone

CBS News reported that the engineer was not “using his cell phone to talk, text or download anything just before the train sped off the tracks.” Eight people were killed in the May 12 accident, which occurred in Philadelphia. Additionally, 200 people were injured. The train originated from Washington D.C.

The NTSB said that an examination of the engineer’s cell phone also showed that he did not access the train’s Wi-Fi system at the time of the incident. The engineer suffered a head injury and told investigators that he does not remember anything about the incident.

A preliminary investigation has not found any mechanical problems with the train. The train was allegedly traveling at speeds of more than 100 miles per hour when the derailment occurred, which is double the speed limit for the section of track where the incident occurred.

Our Attorneys Represent Train Accident Victims

As we reported last week, victims have already begun to file lawsuits in relation to this accident. By speaking to our D.C. injury attorneys following a train derailment or accident, you can potentially seek damages through a trial or get involved in a larger, company or government-backed settlement.

Although this accident investigation is ongoing, if you are involved in a train derailment, by speaking to an attorney in the aftermath of the crash, you can ensure that any settlement offer or damages you receive through a lawsuit are fair.

Our lawyers have more than 30 years of experience working on behalf of those injured in Washington D.C. transportation accidents. You can reach us by clicking on the live chat option at the top of this page.

Although this accident did not involve cell phone use, our attorneys have experience litigating injury cases involving distracted driving.

Koonz, McKenney, Johnson & DePaolis L.L.P.

Washington, D.C. Injury Attorneys

Source: http://washington.cbslocal.com/2015/06/10/ntsb-amtrak-engineer-did-not-use-cellphone-before-crash/

About the Author
Peter DePaolis joined the firm in 1980 and has since represented a large number of individuals involved in automobile collisions, truck accidents, bus crashes, defective products, and medical malpractice cases. A significant portion of Mr. DePaolis’ practice is devoted to working on behalf of people suffering from asbestosis, mesothelioma, and other asbestos-related cancers. He has led his firm’s fight against the asbestos industry and has recovered over $30 million in damages for asbestos victims and their families.