The Cochran Firm Legal Blog

In January 2005, a southbound Los Angeles commuter train was carrying people to work in the early morning when it collided with an SUV left on the tracks. The train jackknifed and since there were train tracks on both sides of it, it hit two other trains. One was a parked freight train and the other was a second commuter train traveling northbound. A fire broke out because of spilled diesel fuel. Eleven people were killed and 180 were injured.

An Empty SUV Left on the Tracks?

The man who had parked the SUV on the tracks was apprehended on an L.A. street, wandering around and mumbling “I’m sorry”. He was charged with eleven counts of murder with “special circumstances”.

His defense attorneys claimed that he had planned to commit suicide but suddenly changed his mind and jumped out of the SUV. He apparently had previously slit his wrists and stabbed himself in the chest a few times and hoped to finish the job by having his SUV hit by a train. However, some witnesses stated that he inflicted those injuries on himself after the train crash.

L.A.’s Second Worst Train Accident

This was the worst train accident in Los Angeles’ history until another one happened in 2008. Needless to say, it was followed by dozens of lawsuits. California’s statute of limitations allows only six months for a person hurt in a train accident to file a claim. Eventually 186 lawsuits were filed, some for wrongful death and some for personal injury.

Last week the commuter rail agency, Metrolink, agreed to pay approximately $39 million to settle all but one of the lawsuits. A Los Angeles Superior Court judge has vacated the trial date previously set for the one last claim and has urged the parties to settle it.

You can read more about train accidents on our Questions About Train Accidents page.

If you have been hurt in a train accident, you may have a valid legal claim. Please call or email our law office today to schedule a free case evaluation. One of our attorneys will be happy to listen, answer questions, and advise you of your options.

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