First Settlement in New Jersey Transit Commuter Train Crash
One and a half years after a New Jersey Transit train crashed into Hoboken Terminal, the first lawsuit has been settled. The passenger was traveling from her home in Pearl River, New York to her job at Pace University on September 29, 2016 when the train she was riding in accelerated as it entered the station.
The train, which was traveling at more than twice the posted speed limit, crashed into Hoboken Terminal, killing one woman and injuring more than 100 people. The passenger settled her case last month for $475,000 before it went to trial. The injured passenger sued both NJ Transit and the Metro North commuter railroad, ultimately settling with Metro North, which manages the section of rail service in New York state where she boarded the train.
At the time of the accident, the plaintiff was seated in the back of the second car. The train failed to stop as it approached Hoboken Terminal, crashing through the steel and concrete barrier surrounding the station. The passenger was tossed around the train car. A piece of metal debris that flew through the air cut her face so deeply that her lip was left hanging from her face after the crash.
As a result of her injuries, the passenger endured 100 stitches and two surgeries. She still has not regained muscle control on the right side of her face. She experiences uncontrollable drooling and has permanent damage to her facial nerves and muscles.
Lingering Effects
The pain and suffering from the accident endures long after the NJ Transit crash. As an elementary school teacher, students ask about her scars to this day. She has been treated for post-traumatic stress disorder and has yet to ride a train again.
Immediately after the crash, the passenger climbed out an emergency window, dropping around 15 feet to the ground below. She walked herself to the station, then was transported to the nearest hospital for surgery.
After a lengthy investigation, the National Transportation Safety Board blamed the crash in part on the engineer’s undiagnosed sleep apnea. The Board also noted the lack of a safety system called Positive Train Control, which may have possibly stopped the train and prevented the crash.
NJ Transit currently faces at least five additional lawsuits, including a wrongful death suit for the woman killed by falling debris while walking through the station. At least four other passengers have also announced their plans to sue.
A Personal Injury Lawyer in Highland Park from the Law Offices of Harold J. Gerr Will Fight for Personal Injury Victims
A Highland Park personal injury lawyer from the Law Offices of Harold J. Gerr knows than in just a few moments, a catastrophic accident can change your life forever. We handle serious and catastrophic injury claims from commuter accidents and car, truck, and motorcycle crashes.
To discuss your case, call us at 732-537-8570 or contact us online. Our offices are located in Highland Park, New Jersey, and we serve clients throughout the state, in Middlesex County, including the communities of Highland Park, Somerset, New Brunswick, Edison, South River, Sayreville, Metuchen, East Brunswick, South Plainfield, Fords, Middlesex, Old Bridge, Iselin, Bound Brook, Perth Amboy, and Colonia, New Jersey.
