Las Vegas Train, Monorail & Tram Safety
Las Vegas is a city that hosts multiple millions of tourists, visitors, and out of towners every year. Some come for the entertainment, some for business-related reasons, and still others for the unique opportunities that only Las Vegas affords. But whatever the reason, they do indeed come. In March of 2018 alone, the city had 3,749,800 visitors (LVCVA Executive Summary), many of whom flew in, and that means millions of people who had to rely on public transportation to get around – in just one single month. So in this city filled to the brim with public transportation and various modes of private mass transit, Vegas train & monorail & tram safety is a legitimate concern for both residents and visitors alike.
Las Vegas Public Transportation and Private Mass Transit Options
Those who arrive in Vegas without their own car won’t have any transportation worries owing to the many public transportation and private mass transit options. Many visitors arrive via the Amtrak train or, coming from Los Angeles, the luxury X Train. Here, though, we want to focus on two species of train transportation – monorail and tram.
Vegas Monorail
Vegas’ train-like transport systems include a few monorail options. Best known and most popular is Monorail Las Vegas, which runs from the MGM Grand to SLS Las Vegas with stops at Bally’s/Paris, Flamingo, Harrah’s/The LINQ, Las Vegas Convention Center, and Westgate Las Vegas. Providing transport service along the Strip, these monorail trains run from 7:00 am to 2:00 am, with trains arriving every five to ten minutes.
Vegas Tram
The trams are usually complimentary on the west side of the Strip and most often connect properties under common ownership. Popular examples include the Mirage-Treasure Island tram, which runs daily from 7:00 am to 2:00 am, and the Bellagio-CityCenter-Park MGM tram, which runs daily from 8:00 am to 4:00 am.
But are these Vegas trains (monorails and trams) safe?
Accident Statistics and Implications for Vegas Train & Monorail & Tram Safety
In 2017, traffic deaths across the state of Nevada “decreased for the first time since 2011” (Las Vegas Review-Journal). But the bad news is that more pedestrians died as a result of traffic accidents than ever before. For example, in March of 2018, a tour bus crashed into a bus stop in Las Vegas and killed one female pedestrian.
While generally safe – with the odds of your having an accident low – the Las Vegas Monorail system has been plagued by a number of safety issues since its inception. One glaring example was a derailment that caused significant structural damage to the rear entrance of the Sahara Hotel & Casino.
Now this isn’t to scare you away from use of these modes of transportation during a stay in Las Vegas. But you do need to remain aware that no form of transportation, whether public or private, is perfectly safe. And if you are involved in an accident, you need to know what to do and where to turn, which is further discussed on LadahLaw.com.
Train Accidents in Nevada
A broader view of train accidents in general across the state reveals that Nevada comes in fairly low for train accidents and rail incidents with a total of only 20 for 2017, as compared to, say, New York’s 194 (Federal Railroad Administration). But with Nevada’s nearly 2,000 miles of active rail lines, many of which frequently cross public roadways, the possibility of an accident is real. And the worst part is that with a train’s mass and momentum the result can be devastating.
Causes of Train Accidents
Train accidents in Nevada have a variety of complex and interrelated causes. Most often, though, these accidents can be attributed preventable mistakes and errors and, sometimes, profit taking precedence over safety. Very often, then, the train companies are at fault because they didn’t emphasize or neglected to ensure the safety of employees, passengers, and motor vehicle operators.
So you should be aware that, under Nevada law, the “at-fault” party (in this case, the train company) can be held legally liable for damages resulting from the accident. If you are involved in an accident and the train company contributed to the accident in any way, then you can take legal action against the company.
The Victims
Train accidents can (and usually do) involve many more and different victims than car accidents. A commuter train crash, for example, puts the many passengers at risk. And when the accident involves a motor vehicle as well, the outcome is usually catastrophic and the number of potential victims multiplied. Basically, all occupants of the motor vehicle and anyone on board a train during such an accident should consider taking legal action to obtain fair – and sometimes desperately needed – compensation for damages.
Possible Compensation
If you’ve been involved in such an accident, you may be entitled to compensation for the following:
- Motor vehicle damages
- All medical and treatment expenses
- Therapy/rehabilitation costs, both physical and psychological
- Lost earnings and wages, including diminished earning capacity
- Disfigurement and/or loss of limb(s)
- Short- or long-term disability
- Wrongful death damages
Just keep in mind that train companies are huge corporations with big insurance backing them. So getting a settlement is never easy. And that means, if you’ve been in involved in accident and are seeking fair compensation, you’ll need a top-notch train accident lawyer in your corner.
Las Vegas Train Accident Lawyers With Inside Knowledge
For public transportation and train accidents in Nevada, you need a law firm with attorneys who know how insurance companies think. Insurance companies will often use almost any kind of tactic to keep you from getting the compensation you need and deserve. In the past, Ramzy Ladah (a Las Vegas personal injury lawyer) worked for these insurance companies that pay out (or, rather, that work hard at not paying out) on personal injury claims. He has, so to speak, “been inside the belly of the beast.”
Personal injury firm with extensive backgrounds & knowledge of insurance matters will understand the strategies and motivations of the insurance companies. So if you’ve been in a public transportation or train accident and want a fair settlement, contact Ladah Law Firm.