Dc Personal Injury Lawyer

Lawsuit over DC Metro train collision that killed 9 readying for trial in 2012

WASHINGTON — It has been two years since a pair of Metro trains collided in Washington, killing nine people, but a lawsuit resulting from the crash could take until 2012 to resolve.

Wednesday marks two years since a malfunctioning electronic circuit caused trains to crash near the Fort Totten station on Metro’s red line, killing a train operator and eight passengers. Still unresolved, however, is a multi-million dollar lawsuit by families of riders killed and injured in the crash. The case against Metro and companies that provided equipment used by the transit agency is set for trial February, though some or all of the parties could settle before then.

“When you have a catastrophe like this it’s going to go a little slower,” said Salvatore Zambri, one of the lead attorneys for the crash victims.

Some progress has been made. Lawsuits, some filed within days of the crash, have been consolidated into a single case, and lawyers have already exchanged millions of pages of documents related to the accident. They have also interviewed more than 50 people, from doctors and rescue workers to engineers at Metro. Many more people will likely be questioned.

“We’re going to have a very busy summer,” said Zambri, a Washington-based personal injury lawyer.

Metro and New York-based Alstom, which provided the circuit that ultimately failed, would not comment on the lawsuit, but the stakes for the transit agency and other defendants are high. Riders injured in the crash are asking for hundreds of thousands of dollars or more for medical bills and other compensation, according to court documents.

Families who had relatives killed sued for tens of millions of dollars. The parents of one boy injured in the crash apparently asked for a judge’s approval of a settlement in their case earlier this year, according to court documents, but any approval or amount is not public.

Richard N. Shapiro, a personal injury lawyer in Virginia who specializes in railroad cases but is not involved in the lawsuit, said each of the families who had a relative die will likely receive a million dollars or more, though factors like age and earning potential would affect a settlement or jury verdict.

Michael Warshauer, an Atlanta-based personal injury attorney who has worked on hundreds of cases involving railroads, said it’s hard to say for certain what will happen with the lawsuit in the coming months. The vast majority of cases nationwide settle before trial, he said.

Your Compensation Claim And A DC Personal Injury Lawyer | New York ...

Accidents can happen at anytime and when one occurs the outcome could be life changing.  Where an accident causes personal injury the victim could be left facing large medical costs, loss of earnings and even a loss of lifestyle.  In these cases it is always advisable to consult with a DC personal injury lawyer about the level of compensation you could be entitled to.

Personal injury cases are rarely as straightforward as they may seem.  Often these cases are complex requiring expert testimony, medical and accident reports as well as the ability to negotiate with insurance companies and deal with defense lawyers hired by the other side.  Achieving a favourable outcome relies on experience and extensive legal knowledge, which is why claimants are always advised to hire a lawyer when looking for compensation after an accident.

Finding a good lawyer is not always an easy task.  Magazines, newspapers and TV commercials are full of personal injury specialists all looking to take on your claim for you, but are they any good?  Achieving the compensation you are entitled to rely on hiring the best person for the job and can make a big difference to what you are eventually awarded.

A good DC personal injury lawyer will be able to not only advise you on the value of your claim, but also work with you to ensure your best interests and legal rights are protected.  They will understand you physical, emotional and of course, legal needs and will always be available to answer any questions or address any concerns you may have.

So where do you go to find a good personal injury lawyer? The best place to start is not with the numerous ads you see on TV or in printed media, but by asking around your friends and family.  Personal recommendations from those who have already been through the process are worth their weight in gold and should give you the confidence that any lawyer you approach on the back of a recommendation from someone you know, will be the one for you.

The internet is also a great place to look for DC personal injury lawyers.  There are numerous websites listing local legal firms and many provide in depth information including lawyer biographies, testimonies from previous clients and helpful articles relating to the areas of law they specialize in.  It is worth noting however, that not all personal injury lawyers are the same as some will specialize only in certain types of claim such as slip and fall accidents, traffic accidents or medical malpractice.  Make sure you only approach lawyers who specialize in the type of personal injury you have suffered.

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