Northern California Accident Attorney Blog

STANISLAUS COUNTY -- The Turlock Journal reported that a big-rig hauling two trailers filled with tomatoes was struck by an Amtrack passenger train Monday afternoon. The collision took place at about 1:30 p.m. near the intersection of Geer Road and Santa Fe Avenue. According to CHP officer Eric Parsons, the big-rig was stopped at a stop sign just past the train tracks, however, due to the short distance between the tracks and the stop sign, the second trailer was still on the railroad tracks. Train engineer, Barbara Neu, 58, of San Leandro, sounded the horn and applied the emergency brakes, but the collision was unavoidable. The impact of the collision between the train and truck caused another vehicle to be struck, as one of the big-rig's trailer went in the southbound lane of Sante Fe Road. The vehicle was identified as a 2011 Toyota Camry and driven by Maria Enes, 46, of Hilmar.

Following this horrible collision Enes, Neu, and the big-rig driver, Rigoberto Jimenez, 31, of Delhi, were not injured after the incident. However, out of the 159 passengers and four crew members onboard the train, only 20 passengers had complaints of back and neck pain. Some of those injured passengers were transported to hospital via ambulance while others sought medical care on their own.

Cause of the September 19th Stanislaus Train Accident

Based on the information provided by news reports, it is unclear whether or not the driver could have possibly avoided this collision. Therefore, it is impossible to determine who is at fault for this incident. Police officials will continue to investigate the cause of the accident and determine who is officially responsible.

Train Accident Passenger Injury Liability

Accidents involving trains can result in catastrophic injures or death to anyone involved. While the investigation of the September 19th collision is ongoing, if it is determined by police that the driver of the truck is responsible for the accident, victims or family members of the victims would be well-advised to contact a skilled California train accident lawyer. A knowledgeable and experienced attorney who has handled incidents such as this one, can advise the victims of their legal rights, and best course of action to recover the maximum compensation for medical care expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other related damages in this terrible train accident.