Utah FrontRunner Accident Lawyer
Utah’s history with trains goes as far back as 1869. A few years ago, in 2008, the Utah Transit Authority completed a commuter rail system known as the FrontRunner. The FrontRunner services the Wasatch Front in Utah, and has a yearly ridership of about 4.6 million. Although trains are an essential part of the State’s history and are convenient, they may be susceptible to accidents.
In 2006, a high-speed FrontRunner train hit a minivan in Kaysville. The driver of the minivan, Clara Lewis, suffered a broken collarbone and shoulder blade, skull fracture and two broken ribs.
On May 16, 2019, the driver of a car was critically injured in a collision with a FrontRunner train in Orem. During the incident, the car rolled multiple times and came to a halt upside down. Fortunately, no passengers aboard the train were injured.
Unique Aspects of Utah Train Accidents and Why to Hire a Train Injury Lawyer
All trains must operate safely. If a collision occurs because of a train operator’s negligence, they are supposed to compensate the injured persons. Negligence laws equally apply to the train systems, like they do for cars, motorcycles, or trucks that are involved in accidents. Hiring a personal injury lawyer can help you sift through the appropriate statute of limitations.
Government entities, including UTA, are immune to personal injury claims because of the Governmental Immunity Act of Utah. If you have been injured in a FrontRunner accident and you want to make a claim, you must strictly comply with the Act’s requirements. Specific types of claims are exempt from the requirements of the Immunity Act, and might be governed by other laws.
According to the Immunity Act, you must file a Notice of Claim with UTA within 12 months after the claim arises. Otherwise, your claim may be denied.
Any personal injury lawyer who regularly handles train accident insurance claims can help. The attorney will take a fresh look at the Governmental Immunity Act of Utah for your FrontRunner Claim. The Act is complicated and may prove problematic to those who don’t have experience in personal injury work.
FrontRunner Train Accident Forces
Similar to semi-trucks and 18-wheeler crashes, trains also carry an enormous amount of force during accidents. Thus, the ability to cause injuries and fatalities is extremely high. Due to the immense forces, train injuries are usually more severe. As a result, it’s essential to project future medical costs and lost income or impaired ability to work. By hiring the right train accident lawyer, your claim may be successful.
FrontRunner Train Passengers and Comparative Fault
In general, it’s not possible for train passengers to bear fault regarding a train accident. Therefore, the legal fault is usually apportioned between the train and the vehicle that were involved in the collision.
At times, the train operator is entirely at fault for the accident. But, other times, the vehicle that pulled out on the tracks in front of the train is fully to blame. Still, sometimes, the 100% fault for the train collision is divided 70/30, whereby 70% is the vehicle’s fault and 30% is the train’s fault.
Free Case Evaluation for Train Accident Injury
A reputable train accident lawyer from Pottroff & Karlin LLC Law Firm can help you in your personal injury claim. We will carry out a thorough investigation to determine who is responsible for the train accident. Call us today for a free train accident injury case evaluation.