According to The Washington Post, Amtrak trains have been derailing with increased frequency in recent years, and there have been about 9 derailments already in 2015 (compared with under five in 2012 and 2013, and six in 2014). If this is accurate, it is very disturbing, and we must determine why it was not brought to the public’s attention until yesterdays deadly Amtrak Crash in Philadelphia.

On May 12, 2015, an Amtrak Train departed from Union Station in Washington, D.C. and derailed in Philadelphia. Six individuals have already died as a result of injuries from the train accident, and an additional 146 people suffered were hurt. Early Wednesday morning it was reported that eight passengers are still in critical condition at Temple University Hospital in Philadelphia. By the time emergency workers got to the scene many of the train cars were flipped over or upside down.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families of those injured and killed. Those seeking information about family or friends who may have been aboard the Amtrak Train should call 1-800-523-9101—a phone line set up by Amtrak for victim information. The train that crashed was the Northeast Regional Train #188.

The Federal Railroad Administration and National Transportation Safety Board are currently investigating the cause of the crash. The cause of the crash is currently unknown, but is being investigated.

Ironically, there was another terrible train crash at this same exact  location in 1943 (Frankford Junction)—one of the deadliest train crashes in U.S. history. In that incident, 79 people died. There has been increasing concern in recent years that train tracks and equipment is aging and needs to be updated.

Our personal injury lawyers are here to help the families of those harmed by this crash, including those situated in Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia. We offer a free phone consultation. Call us at (888) 213-8140. If you choose to hire our law firm, you will not owe us any attorney fees or costs unless we prevail in the case.