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Lawsuits in Nevada truck-Amtrak collision crash claim crossing signal defects
wow, lets sue the railroad and nevada, lets see the truck ran into the train, not the front, but behind the engines, means the train was already thru the crossing, you mean the truck driver couldnot see the train, if he was that blind, then the truck driver should not have driving. did someone lose their common sense?
Also, according to Trains Magazine story on this incident, the truck driver laid down 320 feet of skidmarks before striking the train. There is also mention that this driver was cited for speeding, and I think speeding while operating a school bus! The school saw fit to “let him go,” it is too bad that his trucking company employer did not research his driving record prior to hiring him. As to the signals being defective, Nevada Highway Patrol and UP proved that incorrect. “Lack of adequate warning for motorists?” What is a typical warning area? 500 to 700 feet before a grade crossing? Oh well, all the “common sense” that we used to practice has been replaced with cell phones, laptops, and cafe’ lattes.
Simply amazing that the responsibility doesn’t rest on the driver that hit the train! And I repeat the driver that hit the train.
Let’s home the lawsuit is seen for what it is and it will be tossed out.
Should be thrown out! Sorry the losses. But this looks like going after deepest pockets.Sad
When investigation finished, the facts should be made public. What was the alledged defect with the crossing warning devices ?
Tell me again why the primary responsibility doesn’t rest with the truck driver. On a clear day, with unobstructed visibility, and with two other trucks following whose drivers had no problem seeing the train, it’s hard to fathom why UP or the Nevada DOT should fit the bill – unless they just have the deeper pockets.
Tell me again why the primary responsibility doesn’t rest with the truck driver. On a clear day, with unobstructed visibility, and with two other trucks following whose drivers had no problem seeing the train, it’s hard to fathom why UP or the Nevada DOT should fit the bill – unless they just have the deeper pockets.
Apparently the trucking comapny’s insurance payout wasn’t enough for these people, so they are going down the list of who to sue next.
While I’m sorry for the loss of lives, Are they sure that the crossing gates malfunctioned? Or was it a careless driver?
ohhh come on it is very sad that those people were killed becasue of the stupidity of another but to say the crossing was deffective is bs. The driver hit the side of the train so it was already passing the crossing when the train was hit, so it didnt matter how many warning lights and gates there were. now if the locomotives would have hit the truck ok it might be worth delving into but it seems clear to me that the driver was eather not paying attention or incopassitated (medically or otherwise) and just plainly didnt stop.
Let me get this straight - - - if the gates for whatever reason are not down when a train crosses the crossing, the train is fair game, and you are permitted to hit the train broadside, and collect a huge reward, Right? Man, is this society ever getting sick!
Lawsuits…last bastion of the morons…or their families.
Were off and running again. Amtrak and the Union Pacific were NOT at fault in the deaths. The truck driver was at fault. To hit a train at a grade crossing (NOTE: I said and the record shows that the train was in the crossing). Therefore, when the truck hit the train behind the locomotives, this shows that the truck ran or tried to run the crossing. The trucking company LOST.
I just hope the Judge sees this and doesn’t deep pocket.
After this happened I looked up the location on Google Maps. The grade crossing is in a flat area with NOTHING around it, no trees, structures, or other obstructions.The truck driver must have been in never-never-land to NOT see the train. The road approaches the track at a angle, with the line of sight so visible to an approaching vehicle. There is no reason he could have NOT seen the train in plenty of time to stop. The fact he applied his brakes showes he was not dead or other wise. Thankfully he will not be able to do that again.
That area is OPEN DESERT for MILES!! If a driver cannot see the train approaching then the question begs,“what the hell was he doing?” He was racing the train to the gate crossing to beat the train ahead of his following truck companions. Faulty Crossing Gate??? BS !!!
The speed limit of 70 MPH for vehicular traffic over that crossing is WAY TOO FAST!Whether or not the gate came down is not the point. A red light was flashing which means STOP! Being a truck driver myself, I always slow down prior to going over a crossing. If anybody deserves the blame on this, I’ll blame the state of Nevada. the speed limit needs to be cut to about 55MPH within a mile of that crossing, or the state needs to build a flyover. There’s plenty of room to build a bridge there, which will benefit BOTH highway traffic and trains.
In a “litigation-happy society”, it has become common practice to sue EVERYBODY involved, whether they are at fault of not. There is no common sense; only common greed.
Is the trucking company still in business? If so, why?