92(9) vs Pickup Truck.

Another day, another collision. No one was injured since the truck was unoccupied. However, the damage is considerable. So is the delay (currently around 6'30"). By the time the trip concludes, It will probably end up being closer to 8 or 9 hours late.

Assuming the vehicle wasn't placed there deliberately, how much accountability should fall on the driver? Should they face arrest or should the insurance companies slug it out?

When Amtrak is involved in an event involving a vehicle and the train suffers damage, does Amtrak just eat the cost of repair or do they pursue restitution/reimbursement through a person's insurance? When a fatality occurs through driver negligence, does Amtrak still pursue legal action?

I would suspect (in my pure speculation) that Amtrak, and other railroads for that matter, may make a claim with a person's insurance and even take legal action, if necessary, against the driver's insurance company. However I doubt they would take any action against an individual barring highly unusual circumstances. Primarily because there isn't much to gain by doing so and to avoid what could potential become a public relations nightmare.

Amtrak is basically self insured so if the insurance company doesn't pay up (and they usually put up a fight), they have to eat it. The Boardman regime really stepped up the pressure on the insurance companies and actually attempted to hold individuals responsible if they attempted to sue (which is usually the case.)

More time than not, the driver (or a relative) ends up suing, which is one of the reasons it takes so long for these scenes to clear.

There has been an uptick in arrests though. If the person ended up on the tracks by accident, I'm not sure what you gain by arresting the person.

Observed loco 142 earlier in Orlando. Already had damage to nose but not critical. Now at least nose wasn't replaced before this collision !

It appears that today's Silver Star 92 (11/15) is suffering a major delay somewhere between Tampa and Lakeland. Hopefully it was not involved in yet another "hit."

pennyk said:

It appears that today's Silver Star 92 (11/15) is suffering a major delay somewhere between Tampa and Lakeland. Hopefully it was not involved in yet another "hit."

Click to expand...

This time, there was no pickup truck to act as a shield.

Thirdrail7 said:

pennyk said:

It appears that today's Silver Star 92 (11/15) is suffering a major delay somewhere between Tampa and Lakeland. Hopefully it was not involved in yet another "hit."

Click to expand...

This time, there was no pickup truck to act as a shield.

Click to expand...

tresspasser?

pennyk said:

Thirdrail7 said:

pennyk said:

It appears that today's Silver Star 92 (11/15) is suffering a major delay somewhere between Tampa and Lakeland. Hopefully it was not involved in yet another "hit."

Click to expand...

This time, there was no pickup truck to act as a shield.

Click to expand...

tresspasser?

Click to expand...

Any details about this yet?

jb

John Bobinyec said:

pennyk said:

Thirdrail7 said:

pennyk said:

It appears that today's Silver Star 92 (11/15) is suffering a major delay somewhere between Tampa and Lakeland. Hopefully it was not involved in yet another "hit."

Click to expand...

This time, there was no pickup truck to act as a shield.

Click to expand...

tresspasser?

Click to expand...

Any details about this yet?

jb

Click to expand...

Train was initially delayed about 40 minutes by a truck stuck on the tracks just outside of Tampa. Minutes after that clearing that delay, the train encountered a trespasser who was subsequently airlifted to a local trama facility.