Investigators have only recently reached the scene of a catastrophic commuter train crash in Hoboken, New Jersey. The railcar slammed into the transit hub of the Hoboken Terminal building a little before 9:00 AM EST at a high speed, skidding over safety and stop blocks. There has been at least one fatality reported and upwards of 100 injuries, several of them serious; Jersey City Medical Center has reportedly accepted 10 people with severe injuries so far.
Photographs of the crash site quickly went up to social media accounts and showed the first train car all but flattened and crumpled. The train appeared to have hit an interior wall of the station, which finally brought it to a stop. An unidentified transportation worker expressed concern over the structural integrity of the depot, fearing the impact could have done enough damage to cause an eventual collapse.
Many commuters were displaced to other forms of public transportation to clear out the train station. With this railroad accident occurring only hours ago, investigations are still underway and it is not clear when the railway system would open again. There is also no early guess as to why the train did not slow down before crashing into the station. Causes could be mechanical defects of the train, electrical faults in the rail system, operator negligence, and so forth.
(The New York Times has an online article with additional information, which can be read by clicking here.)
Having learned that this accident occurred fairly close to our law office here in New York City, Morelli Law Firm would like to extend our best wishes and condolences to everyone involved in the accident and their families. As one of the nation’s leading injury law firms for train accident cases – we are currently representing numerous passengers who were injured in the Amtrak train crash last year, and we have been appointed by a federal judge in Philadelphia to be one of the lead plaintiffs’ lawyers for the entire litigation – we will be watching this story closely as it develops.
If you would like to learn about our legal services and your rights as a party injured by the Hoboken train crash this morning, you can contact us online or dial toll-free 877.751.9800.