RSSOrlando Minivan Driver Causes Collision with SunRail
Orlando recently installed the 31.5-mile SunRail light rail, which starts in Volusia County and runs through Seminole County and into south Orange County. It takes riders across region, allowing them to leave their cars at home. But recently there have been some problems, as automobiles and light rail trains keep having accidents.
On January 13, a minivan was driving near the downtown Orlando Lynx station around 5:30 p.m. The female driver saw the SunRail coming down the track, but wanted to quickly cross before the rail line reached the crossing. She never made it. The train struck the minivan. Although it caused significant damage to the minivan, nobody in the van or on the light rail was hurt.
Law enforcement did not release the name of the driver of the minivan, but said the accident was entirely the woman’s fault. They say a camera on the rail showed the woman going around the gates that come down when the train passes.
The SunRail began operating in May, and the January collision is part of a growing trend. The accident was the fifth between an automobile and the train. It was the first since Sept. 11. The rail line also reported 19 near accidents last year.
Law enforcement officials say that people need to be patient with the new rail line. They said it only takes a few second for the SunRail to cross an intersection and nothing is that important that a driver cannot wait a few seconds.
Luckily, nobody was injured in the accident. The train only struck a glancing blow to the minivan. It could have been worse. The SunRail travels quickly and has a lot of weight behind it. It has the potential to cause serious injury. A homeless man was recently killed when he fell asleep on the track and was run over by the train. The train passes through the routes 36 times each day so the potential for danger exists.
The SunRail has the second highest number of accidents for a first-year light-rail, according to government records.
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James O. Cunningham
Since 1977, personal injury lawyer James Cunningham has provided effective legal advocacy to people who are injured through the negligent actions of another person or entity throughout the Central Florida area. He fights to obtain recoveries for his clients’ physical and emotional pain and suffering and pursues his clients’ personal injury cases with a commitment to excellence and impeccable preparation.
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