[04-16-2023] Santa Clara County, CA – One Person Killed After Train Accident in Palo Alto

One person was killed after a train accident in Palo AltoOne person was killed after a train accident in Palo Alto on Sunday evening, April 16, 2023.

According to local authorities, the collision involving a Caltrain occurred at the Churchill Avenue grade crossing, over a mile south of the Palo Alto station, at 8:43 p.m.

The accident scene is also three-quarters a mile north of the California Avenue station. Palo Alto Police Department and transit police both responded to the reports.

When the emergency personnel arrived, the person was declared dead on the scene. There was no further information on the victim’s identity. The San Mateo County Sheriff’s medical examiner/coroner, who patrols the Caltrain corridor, had yet to notify the next of kin and establish the cause of death.

A male southbound train rider claimed he believed the victim was a cyclist. He also reported that after 8:39 p.m., he saw something metallic hit and fly past his window as he was seated in the front car behind the engine.

None of the 46 passengers on Southbound Train No. 678 were hurt. In a statement, Caltrain expressed their regret over the accident and reminded everyone to always mind their safety around train tracks.

Caltrain staff members set up a SamTrans bus bridge to transport passengers between the San Antonio and Menlo Park stations just before 9:45 p.m. A few minutes later, they opened the northbound track with a 20 mph speed restriction.

The train was released to continue southward at 10:22 p.m. When it departed, it pulled three blocks south of the grade and paused for over a half-hour longer before heading to California Avenue station.

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Leading Train Accident Lawyers in Palo Alto

Contacting a lawyer as soon as possible if you are involved in a train accident is essential. Our experienced attorneys would happily offer a free consultation and serve as unbiased mediators should an insurance claim be filed after an accident or wrongful death.

One of our lawyers will evaluate your case, outline the following steps, and discuss the factors that could affect the final settlement offer.

Our Palo Alto train accident attorneys at Arash Law, led by Arash Khorsandi Esq., have received awards and recognition for their work and effort on behalf of accident victims. To date, $500 million in compensation has been awarded to accident victims.

Call us at (888) 488-1391 or complete our “Do I Have a Case?” to set up a free consultation.

What to Do After a Train Accident

If you or people you know are involved in a train accident, here are things you should do:

  • Call 911 immediately. When contacting the police or your insurance company, stick to the necessary details and don’t make any assumptions.
  • Don’t ever admit fault, not even to the police. Tell authorities the truth about what happened. Provide as much information as you can about the crash.
  • Seek medical care right away to lessen the severity of injuries.
  • The other party’s insurance company may contact you as soon as the day of the accident. When you communicate with them, only reveal information that is required. Refraining from recording statements or accepting insurance settlement offers would be best before consulting an attorney.
  • Contact our train accident attorneys in California immediately to get the most out of your insurance coverage.
Fatal Train Accident Statistics

In 2021, 893 people died in train accidents. It is 20% more than the total deaths of 744 in 2020. Five thousand seven hundred eighty-one people were admitted to hospitals due to nonfatal injuries in 2021. It increased by 4% from the total number of 5,544 in 2020.

Between 2020 and 2021, deaths at highway-rail crossings increased by 21%, while deaths from other incidents increased by 20%. The latter had a fatality rate of 94%, or 617 people, all of whom were trespassers.

National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) reported that a person or their vehicle is killed or injured when hit by a train every two hours.

Every year, more than a thousand people are killed in train accidents. It resulted in over 2,300 injuries and 600 deaths.

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