A tragic accident has taken the life of a notable Rice University professor, Marjorie Corcoran. Professor Corcoran died Friday morning about 8:30 a.m. when a Metro light rail train struck her on the southbound tracks at 6300 Fannin near Sunset.
Rice President David Leebron confirmed Corcoran’s death to the campus community by making a statement, including his sentiment that “Marjorie was a much-admired longtime professor of physics and astronomy, who worked tirelessly on behalf of her students, Rice, and STEM education.”
According to data from the Houston Police Department nearly 1,700 cyclists have been hit by cars on Houston streets since 2013. Twenty-three bicyclists have died, seven of whom were killed by hit-and-run drivers. However, this is far from the first death due to METRORail Lines.
After launching two new METRORail lines in late May 2015, METRO experienced a sharp spike in crashes involving their trains in June, with more than double the number of crashes in any other month in the past two years. METRO recorded a total of 17 accidents in June — only the third time the number of accidents exceeded 9 in a month since the rail’s opening in 2004 — including crashes with 13 vehicles, three pedestrians, and one bicyclist, according to a report from the Houston Chronicle. A June 9 accident near NRG Park left one pedestrian dead after he reportedly walked in front of the train.
By law, bicycles on the roadway have the same rights and responsibilities as motorized vehicles. When bikes collide with cars and other motorized vehicles, however, the results can be catastrophic. Bike riders can suffer severe injury and even death at the hands of distracted and negligent motorists.
If you or a loved one has suffered severe injury or been killed during a bicycle accident, or in an accident involving METRO, it is critical that you hire attorneys who are experienced and know how to handle these specialized cases. The Pinkerton Law Firm has successfully handled bicycle accident cases, as well as cases involving METRO, and knows how to investigate and prove these claims. For example, a METRO driver may be negligent in causing an accident if they commit any of the following while operating a bus or train:
- Drive emotionally,
- Drive recklessly,
- Drive under the influence of stimulants, drugs or alcohol,
- Drive while distracted,
- Drive while texting or talking on a cell phone,
- Drive while tired,
- Drive with road rage,
- Fail to abide by traffic signals or street signs,
- Follow another vehicle too closely, and/or
- Speed.
Common injuries resulting from accidents that involve light rail, buses, or bicycles can include:
- Brain injuries or concussions,
- Broken or fractured bones,
- Head injuries,
- Internal organ injuries,
- Nerve damage or injury,
- Paraplegia,
- Quadriplegia,
- Spinal cord injuries,
- Sprains, and/or
- Whiplash.
Some victims of such accidents do not receive their deserved compensation for the medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost wages and property damage they endure after a serious accident. The attorneys at The Pinkerton Law Firm, PLLC, are determined not to let that happen to you. If you have been a victim of a bicycle, light rail or bus accident, immediately contact an experienced personal injury attorney at The Pinkerton Law Firm, PLLC to protect your rights and to file a strong lawsuit so those responsible are held accountable under the law for your medical expenses and suffering. The firm offers a free case review, free initial consultation, and we only get paid if you get paid.
If you have been injured in an accident as a result of the negligence of others, call a bicycle, light rail or bus accident attorney at The Pinkerton Law Firm, PLLC for a FREE consultation at (713) 360-6722.
