A passenger aboard Amtrak 188 when the train crashed spoke out about his experience, including the alleged failure to respond to the emergency adequately.
Josh Gotbaum claimed that Amtrak was ill-prepared to respond to the Amtrak 188 accident and that it was the passengers and first responders who actually helped.
He founded The September 11th Fund and ran Hawaiian Airlines and the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corp. During this time, he worked around disaster and believed himself to be prepared for emergencies.
He compared his experience with Amtrak 188 with Hawaiian Airlines. “I can tell you that airline staffs both train for disasters and practice responding to them. They understand that what happens in the hours immediately afterward can change people’s lives.”
When describing how Amtrak responded to the crash, Gotbaum used the terms, “weak, uncoordinated and late.”
According to his account, the passengers worked together to escape from the train, even though most had serious injuries. Many also remained to help one another contact loved ones or find luggage if they could.
Gotbaum noted, “Amtrak’s failure is all the more remarkable because, in a night filled with tragedy, the rest of the emergency response worked, and worked well.”
Gotbaum noted that he did not claim to know who was responsible for the Amtrak train crash and decided that question was best left for the investigators assigned to the case.
Amtrak Train Crash Injuries
Over 200 people were injured in the crash. Amtrak 188 was traveling at 106 mph when it suddenly derailed. The cause of the accident is still unknown, but currently the National Transportation Safety Board is investigating.
People who were affected by the Amtrak 188 crash may be able to file a train crash lawsuit and receive compensation for the traumatic injuries caused by the crash.
An Amtrak employee filed the first lawsuit. The plaintiff allegedly suffered brain and other injuries. He claimed in his train crash lawsuit that the accident caused him to suffer severe physical injuries, mental anguish, and a loss of future earnings.
If a loved one died in the train crash, a wrongful death lawsuit may be filed against the transportation company.
Obtain a Free Amtrak Train Crash Lawsuit Evaluation
If you or a loved one were injured or killed during the May 12, 2015 Amtrak derailment, you may have a legal claim.
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