Fatal Train Accident on Orwood Road in Contra Costa County
The California Highway Patrol reported a fatal train accident on a rural road near the Brentwood area on the afternoon of June 26, 2022. The incident took place on Orwood Road at approximately 1:00 p.m.
Details on the Fatal Train Accident Near Brentwood
In a preliminary report by CHP traffic officers, it was revealed that a Honda Civic was headed westbound on Orwood Road when it was struck by a train on the railroad tracks. The railroad crossing reportedly did not have a train signal nor guard rails, according to officials.
There were approximately 90 people on board at the time of the train accident. Officials indicated that no one on the train sustained injuries in the crash. Two parties in the Honda, including a child, were transported via air ambulance to the hospital for treatment of serious injuries.
Sadly, three other parties in the Honda were declared deceased at the scene. The Contra Costa County Coroner’s Office has recently identified the decedents as 41-year-old Julia Mondragon of Dixon, 51-year-old Mercedes Regalado of Brentwood, and 72-year-old Maria Nieves of Dixon.
A fourth person, a 9-year-old boy from Dixon, was reported to be in critical condition after the train accident. An update revealed that he succumbed to his injuries during hospitalization. A GoFundMe page was set up on behalf of the Nieves Mondragon family to help cover final resting expenses and costs of medical treatment.
Things to Know About Train vs. Car Accident Cases
When a train is involved in an accident, those within close proximity of the train tracks may be left with serious injuries or even lose their lives, including drivers and passengers of motor vehicles. Insufficient railroad crossing and warnings at train tracks may result in some of the most devastating crashes to occupants of motor vehicles and others on the road. There are strict safety guidelines that train conductors and train companies must follow to keep others from harm’s way. The laws that govern the railroad industry are challenging, and the major rail companies have teams of lawyers trained to dispute personal injury and wrongful death claims arising from these types of accidents.
Injured parties and surviving family members may level the playing field by retaining legal counsel for a train accident case. Unlike the other side, you can depend on your lawyer to work with investigators in the field to determine if the incident was the result of a negligent train operator, equipment malfunction, defect in safety service, or another cause. From there, your accident attorney will work to determine all at-fault parties, including the train operator, manufacturer of the train, the railroad company, and more.
Your lawyer will investigate the accident-related injury or loss of a loved one to determine how it has impacted your life to build a strong and compelling case for maximum compensation. This may often involve working with expert witnesses to determine the value of resulting damages. Your family should be confident in the lawyer you select to handle your wrongful death case. There is a limited amount of time to take action, so do not delay retaining legal counsel. For tips and suggestions on how to choose the right attorney, watch this video.
Personal Injury Lawyer in Brentwood
I’m Ed Smith, a Brentwood personal injury lawyer. If you were injured in a train crash or lost a loved one to this type of incident, our accident attorneys are here to help you and your family through this difficult time. We have helped people facing similar situations just like you since 1982. Our legal team is dedicated to obtaining justice and maximum compensation. Start today with free, friendly advice by calling (925) 428-5220 or (800) 404-5400.
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