[06-28-2023] Ventura County, CA – Several People Hospitalized, One in Critical Condition After Train vs. Truck Collision in Moorpark

Several people were hospitalized, sustaining minor injuries, and another one was in critical condition when an Amtrak train derailed after colliding with a truck in Moorpark on Wednesday morning, June 28, 2023.

A Ventura County Fire Department official said the crash occurred around 11:20 a.m. on 11100 W. Block of Los Angeles Avenue, surrounded by several large farms.

The seven-car passenger train traveling from LA to Seattle with roughly 198 passengers and 13 crew onboard collided with an irrigation truck, causing the train to derail partially. Then, a fire broke out beneath one of the train cars, but it was quickly extinguished. As a result, the truck was also totaled. By that time, all passengers had been evacuated.

One passenger says that they were just cruising along, and all of a sudden, there was a big bang, and then the car started reeling up and down and then left and right, and it smelled like gasoline, and dust was flying. They braced against the seat. Another one says they went back and forth everywhere and hit the table.

Fourteen passengers were hospitalized after sustaining minor injuries. The truck driver, however, suffered severe injuries and was transported to a trauma center. Additionally, as a precaution, the train’s driver was taken to a hospital. It has not been revealed who the people involved in the accident are.

While Amtrak released a statement suggesting that the water truck obstructed the tracks at Moorpark, the police say otherwise. Upon investigation, it does not appear that the truck was stopped or stalled on the tracks when it crossed while driving over a private frontage road.

The investigation of the crash continues.

Train Accident Lawyers in Moorpark, Ventura County

If you or someone close to you has suffered injuries in a California railway accident, seek legal counsel as soon as possible. Our distinguished law firm can assist as an impartial third party after you have filed an insurance claim for compensation following an accident or wrongful death.

During the free consultation, one of our attorneys will assess your case, provide details about the following steps, and analyze the variables that could influence the ultimate compensation offer.

You can rely on our most reliable Ventura County train accident lawyers at Arash Law, under the direction of Arash Khorsandi, Esq., to effectively represent you in these court proceedings. Our firm has recovered more than $500 Million for California clients.

If you want to speak with one of our lawyers, please call (888) 488-1391 or fill out the “Do I Have a Case?” form.

What to Do After a Train Accident

Train incidents can have devastating consequences, resulting in injuries, deaths, and significant property damage. If you or a loved one has been involved in a train accident, taking the necessary precautions to ensure your safety and legal protection matters most. A step-by-step guide may help you navigate the aftermath of a train accident and pursue any necessary compensation.

1. Check for injuries and call emergency services if anyone needs medical attention.
2. Dial 911 or the appropriate emergency number to report the accident and request assistance.
3. Exchange contact and insurance information with the train operator and other parties involved in the accident.
4. Take photographs and notes of the accident scene, and record witnesses’ names and contact information if possible.
5. Seek medical attention, even if you feel fine after the accident.
6. Report the accident to your insurance company and follow their instructions for filing a claim.
7. Consult an attorney specializing in train accidents to evaluate your legal options and pursue compensation.

I HAD AN ACCIDENT

Train Accident Statistics

In 2016, train accidents resulted in the deaths of 893 individuals, which represents a 20% increase from the previous year’s total of 744. Additionally, hospital admissions for injuries that could have been fatal increased by 4%, or 5,780 individuals, between 2020 and 2021, with a 21% increase in fatalities at highway-rail grade crossings during the same period.

Roughly one-third of train accident victims eventually recover from their injuries, while it was estimated that train accidents caused 266 out of the 893 pedestrian fatalities in 2021. Over 3,216 commuters were injured in train accidents that year, and if these injuries were more severe, they could have been fatal.

In 2015, 66 individuals died due to grade crossing incidents involving automobiles and trains in the United States.