| By now, the tragedy of the Metrolink train crash | | | | know if this allegation is true or not. As an attorney |
| accident has started to sink in for many in and around | | | | who handles mass tort and injury cases, I can tell you |
| the Los Angeles area. Metrolink commuter train 111 | | | | this. Cell phones are the cause of too many accidents, |
| was making its regular run between downtown Los | | | | many of which occur when the driver of a car is |
| Angeles to Ventura County, California when it ran a | | | | distracted by their phone while driving. While some |
| flashing red signal and slammed into an oncoming | | | | states and cities have outlawed the use of cell phones |
| freight train. The death toll is currently 26, with well | | | | while driving, too many states still turn a blind eye to |
| over 100 people injured. The local community is in | | | | the dangers of cell phone use while driving. No victim |
| shock and searching for answers. Why did the | | | | of a terrible accident, or their family member, would |
| commuter train run through the flashing red signal? | | | | ever trade money for their life or limb. Settlements end |
| How could this disaster have been prevented? | | | | litigation, but they do not put people or families back |
| It is being reported that a dispatcher may have tried to | | | | together again. As a society, we need to decide to |
| warn the engineer that he was about to collide with a | | | | prioritize safety so that accidents and crashes such as |
| freight train but the call came too late. It is also being | | | | the one in California last week do not occur in the first |
| reported that two boys, who had befriended the train | | | | place. Unnecessary injuries cause unnecessary |
| operator, may have traded test messages with | | | | hardship. With health-care costs continuing to escalate, |
| operator just prior to the crash. Metrolink has a policy | | | | injury prevention benefits society as well as individuals. |
| against use of cell phones by commuter train | | | | It will take months to sort out what happened to |
| operators. A Metrolink initially took responsibility for the | | | | Metrolink Commuter Train 111. But we are already |
| crash admitting to 'human error.' At the request of the | | | | reminded that tragedies such as this are best |
| Metrolink board, that spokesperson resigned. Metrolink | | | | prevented and that Government shares a responsibility |
| representatives now deny responsibility pending the | | | | to regulate safety, especially when it comes to public |
| outcome of an investigation by the National | | | | transportation. In the meantime, we should all |
| Transportation Safety Board. At this early juncture, | | | | remember that while technology allows us to be |
| there are many more questions than answers. | | | | 'connected' from anywhere, there are many places |
| One part of this story which has struck me thus far is | | | | where the distraction of technology puts us, and those |
| the suggestion of cell phone use. At this point, we don't | | | | around us, at risk. |