A man suffered fatal injuries when he was struck by a light rail train on April 21. The victim, who was struck while walking along an isolated section of the tracks in Jersey City, was likely trespassing at the time of the incident. Official reports have not yet revealed the man’s age or identity.
Authorities say that none of the passengers on the train was injured, but service between Danforth Avenue and Liberty State Park was suspended while an investigation commenced by the New Jersey Transit Police Department and Jersey City Police. Dozens of light rail passengers were forced onto buses while authorities attempted to determine the cause of the incident.
The victim was reportedly walking along a remote section of the train track that did not have direct access to a station or parking lot. It is not entirely clear what the man was doing in that area when he was struck at about 8:45 in the morning. It is also not clear how the trespassing allegations may affect future litigation by the man’s family or estate.
Municipalities and government agencies have a responsibility to protect their citizens from mass transit accidents. This means that they need to secure railroad tracks and provide safe properties to avoid premises liability claims.
Government groups are just as vulnerable to premises liability suits as other entities, and they can be held responsible for pedestrian accidents with trains. Family members of victims who have been killed in mass transit accidents may be entitled to financial compensation for their pain and suffering, funeral expenses, lost income, and other damages.
Source: NJ.com, “Man fatally struck by light rail train in Jersey City, NJ Transit says,” Patrick Villanova, April 21, 2017