Beware of These Dangers Posed by Streetcars in Milwaukee

 Posted on October 16, 2018 in Personal Injury

The United States is in the midst of a streetcar resurgence. In the last five years, at least 10 major U.S. cities, including Milwaukee, have added streetcar lines. While many people are pleased about the additional public transit options and think streetcars benefit the community, some believe that this form of transportation adds additional dangers to city streets. Streetcar accidents are certain to occur, especially when a streetcar line opens in a new city. 

The Streetcar Renaissance  

Milwaukee’s streetcar line, The Hop, will open in November 2018, and the system is currently undergoing testing in parts of the city. The new route is two miles long, and there are plans to expand in the coming years. Unfortunately, accidents involving the streetcars are already being reported.

Milwaukee joins numerous other cities in building streetcar lines such as Atlanta, Charlotte, Cincinnati, Dallas, Kansas City, New Orleans, Salt Lake City, Tucson, and Washington, D.C. One reason for this new trend is that the federal government has made it a priority to fund small-scale transit projects that seek to revitalize urban areas.

Between 2009 and 2014, the U.S. Department of Transportation spent more than $300 million on funding for streetcar projects.

Types of Accidents Involving Streetcars

Streetcars weigh 80,000 pounds, and for this reason, they are much more susceptible to collisions than buses. Due to their weight, streetcars take longer to stop, and they cannot swerve because they must stay on fixed tracks. Thus, streetcar drivers have few options and little time to react to obstructions or traffic.

There are many sources of danger when it comes to streetcars operating on city streets, including:

• Distracted trolley operators
• Accidents with cars, trucks, and motorcycles
• Accidents with pedestrians and bicyclists
• Streetcar derailment
• Faulty streetcar equipment or equipment malfunction
• Injuries related to the electric power involved in the streetcar’s operation

Contact a Milwaukee, WI Streetcar Accident Lawyer

If you have been injured in a streetcar accident, you should speak to an attorney as soon as possible. The first thing an attorney will seek to determine is whether you are at fault in the accident. Even if you are partially responsible, if you are less than 50 percent at fault, you will likely be able to recover some of your damages.

Once fault is assessed, a lawyer will look at any and all damages you may have suffered. Accident victims often underestimate their injuries and damages or do not consider types of damages that are provided for in Wisconsin law. To speak to a knowledgeable Milwaukee streetcar accident attorney and learn more about how to pursue compensation for your injuries, call the law firm of Gimbel, Reilly, Guerin & Brown, LLP at 414-271-1440. 

Sources:

http://www.wuwm.com/post/some-raise-safety-concerns-milwaukee-streetcar-plans-november-opening#stream/0

http://motorcitymuckraker.com/2017/04/11/part-1-streetcar-revival-derailed-host-shortcomings-dangers/

https://www.tmj4.com/news/local-news/police-two-accidents-in-two-days-involving-the-hop