High-speed rail may seem like a thing of the future, but this method of transportation is being implemented right here in the Sunshine State. However, just like any other commercial vehicle, the high-speed trains are seeing their fair share of accidents.
Recently, a pedestrian in Wilton Manors, Florida, suffered injuries after being struck by a Brightline train. Unfortunately, these types of accidents are becoming all too common. In fact, this is the fourth time in 2018 that a Brightline train has struck a person or bicyclist, and the sixth time such an incident has occurred from the time test runs began. Back on January 12, 2018, the evening that Brightline commenced transporting passengers between Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach, a pedestrian was struck by the train. Unfortunately, that pedestrian did not survive. Five days after that, a person riding a bicycle was struck by a train. He, too, did not survive. Following that, on January 19, 2018, a third pedestrian was hit by the train. That person’s injuries were not life-threatening.
Brightline has stated that it is meeting or even going above and beyond the safety standards set for it. However, Florida lawmakers are seeking to further regulate high-speed rail organizations. Two bills have been introduced in the state legislature, and two U.S. Senators have asked that the situation be federally investigated.
It is important that a commercial vehicle carrying large amounts of passengers, whether it is a bus or a high-speed train, is safe not just for the passengers on board but for all others on the road. Those who have been injured in a commercial vehicle accident may want to determine what their options are for potentially pursuing a lawsuit.
