Two Metro Workers Die in Truck Collision
If you would like more information about Metro incidents, please contact Washington DC personal injury attorney Joseph H. Koonz of Koonz, McKenney, Johnson, Depaolis, and Lightfoot L.L.P.
It has been a tumultuous year for the WMATA. Multiple accidents and mishaps that happened among the trains, buses, workers and passengers have plagued the agency. Many of these incidents stem from safety flaws that the transit knew about since 2005. However, another accident claimed the lives of two Metro workers.
Two Metro workers were working on the subway tracks when they were run over by a specialized truck. The specialized vehicle, a pick-up truck outfitted with special train track wheels, was moving backward when it struck the two workers. The workers were installing new equipment that would allow better communication between each other and headquarters. The incident happened just ahead of the Rockville Metrorail station. Although one of the workers was pronounced dead at the scene, the other worker was transported to a local hospital and died later.
When Metro employees are working on the track, special care must be taken to ensure the safety of the workers. This accident may have been avoided had there was better communication between the operator of the truck and headquarters.
If you or a loved suffers severe injuries or death stemming from a work-related accident, please contact a Washington DC personal injury lawyer at Koonz, McKenney, Johnson, Depaolis, and Lightfoot L.L.P.
Categories: Uncategorized | 
No Comments »
Faulty Furnace Suspected Theory in Residential Gas Leak
If you would like more information about fires, please contact Washington DC personal injury attorney Paulette Chapman of Koonz, McKenney, Johnson, Depaolis, and Lightfoot L.L.P.
When carbon monoxide is been inhaled, serious conditions can cause victims to experience weakened senses. Many victims suffer death as a result of inhaling the gas. Some of the symptoms can include slurred speech and nausea.
Three people were hospitalized after firefighters rescued them from inhalation of carbon monoxide gas at their home. The 49-year-old father and his two 15-year-old sons were found unconscious from the gas, which reported levels of 1,000 parts per million in readings. The Northwest Washington incident occurred around 12:30 P.M. Firefighters believe they reached the victims with little time to spare and found elevated carbon monoxide readings in the homes located next door.
Although this accident happened at a residential location, appliances should operate within the manufacturer’s suggestions. A faulty furnace can be the result of a recent sale, poor maintenance or inspection neglect. If it is a new furnace, it could also be a product liability. Make sure your furnace is properly inspected.
If you or a loved suffers severe injuries or death stemming from a faulty product, please contact a Washington DC personal injury lawyer at Koonz, McKenney, Johnson, Depaolis, and Lightfoot L.L.P.
Categories: Uncategorized | No Comments »
Metro General Manager Resigns Amid Turmoil
If you would like more information, please contact Virginia, Maryland and Washington DC personal injury lawyer David M. Schloss of Koonz, McKenney, Johnson, DePaolis & Lightfoot L.L.P.
The responsibility of ensuring safety for Metro bus and train passengers can be difficult, especially after there has been numerous accidents reported. Passengers count on the safety of using public transportation when traveling to work, home, and other places. The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s ultimate goal is to assure the passengers there is no need to worry about safety.
Citing the urge to allow the transit agency a chance to regroup, Metro General Manager John Catoe Jr. resigned effective April 2. Many of the Metro board members tried unsuccessfully to persuade Mr. Catoe to stay. However, the resigning GM stated the decision to leave was completely his own. Metro transit suffered its most continuous stream of accidents over the past 30 years. Despite huge deficits in the transit budget and rampant passenger and employee accidents, the agency – once again – find itself looking for a new safety chief.
The safety of passengers is a task that must be handled with extreme diligence to detail. There cannot be a time when transportation safety issues are left unattended. This resignation may not have happened if earlier reports of safety issues were addressed and solved in a timely matter.
If you or a loved suffers severe injuries or death stemming from a Metro accident, please contact a Virginia, Maryland and Washington DC personal injury attorney at Koonz, McKenney, Johnson, Depaolis, and Lightfoot L.L.P.
Categories: Uncategorized | No Comments »
Woman Suffered Fatal Injuries From Dump Truck
If you would like more information, please contact Maryland, Washington DC and Virginia personal injury lawyer Julie H. Heiden of Koonz, McKenney, Johnson, DePaolis & Lightfoot L.L.P.
It can happen to anyone. A vehicle’s tire blows or smoke billows from the hood, and suddenly a troubled car victim pulls over to investigate the situation.
When you notice motorists leave the flow of traffic onto the side of the road, extra caution should be exercised to prevent accidents. When you’re traveling down highways, you should pay particularly close attention to what’s going on along the sides of the road. It is your responsibility, when you see a motorist pulled off along the side of the highway, to move your car to the lane farthest from where the activity is occurring, use extra caution and slow down.
A woman was killed after being struck by a passing dump truck. The accident occurred on the four-lane Route 7 bypass in Leesburg around 9:20 a.m. just after she pulled to the side of the road. Police speculate that the dump truck hit the woman after she stepped out of the vehicle. The police were immediately contacted after the accident occurred yet were uncertain why she exited her car or where she was standing when the dump truck struck her.
This accident may have been prevented had the dump truck driver exercised proper precautions.
If you or a loved one suffers injuries or death from an auto accident, please contact a qualified Virginia personal injury attorney at Koonz, McKenney, Johnson, DePaolis & Lightfoot L.L.P.
Categories: Uncategorized | No Comments »
Virginia’s Highway Safety Ranked among the Worst
If you would like more information, please contact Virginia personal injury attorney Thomas McWeeny of Koonz, McKenney, Johnson, DePaolis & Lightfoot, L.L.P.
Driving in Virginia can be enjoyable for some yet horrible for others. When driving vehicles, the driver must be aware at all times. This is especially true when there are passengers on board.
The Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety has ranked Virginia as one of the worst states for highway safety. The nonprofit group stated that Virginia’s secondary enforcement laws were weak and do not help motorists. Secondary enforcement laws are rules that can only be enforced if the vehicle was stopped for other driving violations. Some of these secondary laws include restrictions to curb nighttime driving for teenagers, using cell phones while driving, text messaging while driving and the requirement to wear seat belts. The group states that the wrong message is given to drivers from weak secondary enforcement laws.
Many accidents can be prevented if drivers pay more attention to the road. Commonly known as “distracted driving,” texting or using a cell phone while driving is considered dangerous and can lead to car accidents. Curbing teenagers from driving at night can also decrease the number of car accidents in Virginia. Under Virginia law, if you are injured by the negligence of a distracted driver in violation of Virginia traffic laws, you will have proven negligence by operation of law, this is also known as “negligence per se.” In certain circumstances depending upon the conduct, you may even be able to allege “punitive damages” in addition to the monetary relief traditionally available to you.
If you or a loved one suffers injuries or wrongful death because of negligence or driver distraction, please contact a qualified Virginia personal injury lawyer at Koonz, McKenney, Johnson, DePaolis & Lightfoot, L.L.P.
Categories: Uncategorized | No Comments »
Two-Time Goodwill Robber Charged with Armed Robbery and Assault
If you would like more information, please contact Washington DC personal injury attorney Kelly Fisher of Koonz, McKenney, Johnson, DePaolis & Lightfoot, L.L.P.
The Goodwill of Greater Washington is designed to offer job placement and training for those who are in need of jobs. Many people donate their clothes, electronics and furniture at The Goodwill of Greater Washington. However, one man decided to take instead of give back.
Twice the same man robbed a Goodwill store in Northeast Washington. Posing as a customer in his first robbery, the man demanded $2,000 from the store safe as the store was closing. In his second robbery two weeks later, the man took $1,600 as a store employee was opening the store. However, the police with the help of his girlfriend found him. He was arrested after assaulting his girlfriend by punching her in the face, hitting her with a metal folding chair and biting her. Officials state he had a history of charges including robbery, drug, gun possessions and assault.
Authorities may have prevented these events if the man with such a serious history had been watched more closely. The offender had a serious history of crime, and requiring him to be watched more closely by probation officers via new technology may have found the man after the first robbery or before the first robbery even occurred.
If you or a loved one suffers injuries or death due to assault or premise liability, contact a qualified Virginia, Maryland and Washington DC personal injury lawyer at Koonz, McKenney, Johnson, DePaolis & Lightfoot, L.L.P.
Categories: Uncategorized | No Comments »
Blind Man Found Lying on Metro Tracks
If you would like more information, please contact William Lightfoot of Koonz, McKenney, Johnson, DePaolis & Lightfoot, L.L.P.
Metro platforms should never be a place where train passengers risk falling onto the tracks. Many people blindingly jump on the tracks while others attempt suicide by jumping onto them. However, there should also be ample warning of the platform edge given for those who suffer disabilities. It’s important that all Metro platforms are equipped with warnings and that all precautions are taken to protect passengers.
A 48-year-old blind man was found lying atop a Red Line train track, after he had fallen from the platform, Metro stated. Authorities said the blind Rockville man tumbled to the tracks around 7:30 a.m. onto the path of a train headed toward Shady Grove. However, this is not the first victim with disabilities to accidently slip from a train platform. Three other victims previously fell onto Metro tracks. The man was hospitalized shortly afterward.
Even though there were bumpy tiles installed at the station where the man fell, many individuals with disabilities have not been trained to use them. Better preventative measures like warning alarms for those who venture close to the platform edge can be taken for people with disabilities to ensure this type of incident does not happen in the future.
If you or a loved one suffers injuries or death from the negligence of a public transportation organization, please contact a qualified Virginia, Maryland and Washington DC personal injury attorney at Koonz, McKenney, Johnson, DePaolis & Lightfoot, L.L.P.
Categories: Uncategorized | No Comments »
Safety Important for WMATA
If you wouldl ike more information, please contact Paulette Chapman of Koonz, McKenney, Johnson, DePaolis & Lightfoot, L.L.P.
Safety measures are very important for the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority. When a Metro station is void of proper safety measures for passengers and workers, it places the WMATA in a negligent situation. Incidents involving inadequate safety features on transportation equipment can include a lack of handrails of stairs for workers and passengers and the incidences of trains colliding with one another.
In the wake of the 2004 Metro train collision, investigators reported that many of Metro’s trains lacked adequate safety features and issued more than 100 recommendations to solve the problems. These features include upgrading all Metro trains to prevent them from rolling backward and installing door handles to aid emergency workers attempting to enter rail cars. After being requested to release train data, Metro officials quickly finalized at least 36 recommendations that were listed. In addition, they also made major management changes and declared war on resolving safety problems.
It is important that proper measures be taken to ensure the safety of both the passenger and employee. Not only will Metro’s budget expenses lower, precious lives will follow suit. Many of Metro’s previous accidents could have been prevented simply by upgrading and installing new safety measures based on the investigative findings of the 2004 wreck.
If you or a loved one suffers injuries or death from WMATA negligence, please contact a qualified Virginia, Maryland and Washington DC personal injury attorney at Koonz, McKenney, Johnson, DePaolis & Lightfoot, L.L.P.
Categories: Uncategorized | No Comments »
Washington DC Female Pedestrian Suffers Fatal Injuries
If you wouldl ike more information, please contact Paulette Chapman of Koonz, McKenney, Johnson, DePaolis & Lightfoot, L.L.P.
Pedestrians generally have the right-of-way when traveling throughout the streets of Washington DC. It is important that drivers of vehicles take heed as they drive, especially at night. Drivers can protect themselves from hitting pedestrians by remaining alert at all times while driving. Many people take to the streets on foot in Washington DC, so it should be no surprise to drivers when someone crosses the street in front of them.
Pedestrians can protect themselves from accidents by wearing reflective clothing that shines when the headlight of a car beams upon them.
A vehicle hit a female pedestrian in Northwest Washington in late December 2009. The hit-and-run incident happened in the Columbia Heights neighborhood at the intersection of 16th Street and Park Road shortly after 1 a.m. 16th Street was closed for several hours to allow authorities time to investigate what took place.
When drivers are involved in pedestrian accidents, it is critical that they stay at the scene until the police arrive. The driver should have stayed to make certain the woman received the medical care she received. There could have been a possibility that the woman was still alive after being struck and only needed the driver to call 911 for an ambulance.
If you or a loved one suffers injuries or death after being struck by a car, contact a qualified Virginia, Maryland and Washington DC personal injury lawyer at Koonz, McKenney, Johnson, DePaolis & Lightfoot, L.L.P.
.
Categories: Uncategorized | No Comments »
Two Rockville Pedestrians Hit by Car
If you would like more information, please contact Peter DePaolis of Koonz, McKenney, Johnson, DePaolis & Lightfoot, L.L.P.
When pedestrians are traveling throughout Maryland roads, there are many cautions that must take place to ensure their safety. Drivers in cars and trucks must be aware of their surroundings at all times. It only takes an instant for a driver to hit a pedestrian, and injuries in such accidents are often more severe than they are in car-car or car-truck collisions. Driving during the holiday season requires particular care, as there are typically revelers out on foot.
In addition, it is advisable that pedestrians utilize crosswalks, sidewalks and light signals for pedestrians when journeying towards their destination.
On a Monday morning in late December 2009, a vehicle struck two pedestrians in the Rockville area. Although the details of the crash are unclear, the incident happened just before 8:50 a.m. on Chapman Avenue. Police shut down the road between Bou and Thompson Avenues as they searched for clues as to what transpired. The two pedestrians were hospitalized, but the extent of their injuries remains uncertain.
If you or a loved one experience serious injuries or death due to a vehicle striking them while walking, contact a qualified Washington DC, Virginia and Maryland personal injury lawyer at Koonz, McKenney, Johnson, DePaolis & Lightfoot, L.L.P.
Categories: Uncategorized | No Comments »