John Schmidt Hit, Killed by Amtrak Train near Carquinez Strait Shoreline in Port Costa
John Schmidt ID’d as Man Killed in Port Costa Pedestrian Accident near Carquinez Strait Shoreline
Port Costa, California (December 7, 2019) – The Contra Costa County Coroner’s Office has identified the man who was hit and killed by an Amtrak train Thursday night in the Port Costa area as John Schmidt, 52, of Alameda, according to the Contra Costa County Coroner’s Office.
The deadly accident happened at around 9:15 p.m. Thursday, December 5 on the railroad tracks near the Carquinez Strait shoreline.
Authorities said an Amtrak Capitol Corridor Train 548 was headed to Sacramento when it struck Schmidt, who was on the railroad tracks.
Schmidt was pronounced dead at the scene. It was not immediately known why he was in Port Costa.
None of the passengers and crew members onboard the train was injured.
The train was delayed for more than three hours as the tracks were cleared and authorities investigated.
Further details were not immediately available, and the accident remains under investigation.
Our sincere sympathies go to the family and friends of John Schmidt. We wish them courage during these trying moments of losing their loved one.
Many pedestrians are hurt and several others killed in accidents in California every year. The causes of many of these pedestrian accidents include distracted driving, speeding, drunk driving, reckless driving, bad weather, wrong-way driving, and failure to observe traffic laws. It is evident that negligence on the part of motorists is the leading cause of these accidents.
Pedestrian laws require drivers to control their speeds and stop to allow pedestrians cross the roads, whether in marked or unmarked crossing areas. The authorities are still investigating to find out if the victim was in a safe zone along the road when the accident occurred.
Upon conclusion of the examination of the crash scene photos, vehicle condition, and other factors including recklessness, intoxication and distracted driving, the victim’s family or loved ones may have a right to file a case and get compensation for their loss.
If you have lost someone you love in a fatal car accident, we highly recommend that you seek legal guidance and fight for justice. Contact a wrongful death attorney at Pacific Attorney Group, we specialize in personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits. We assist victims of traffic accidents and their families in seeking justice. Our attorneys will leave no stone unturned in the pursuit of justice. Call our firm today, and we will help you get justice for your loved one.
If you are a family member of the person killed and would like to get a free copy of the accident report, please contact the Pacific Attorney Group. Please Click to call : 1-800-358-9617
What You Need to Know about Pedestrian Accidents
Pedestrians are always the most vulnerable segment of traffic. Data collected by The National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA) indicates that about 5000 pedestrians are killed in accidents and over 70000 injured annually. Although motorists shoulder most of the blame for these types of accidents, pedestrians are sometimes liable for these accidents.
In the event of an auto-pedestrian accident, parties are encouraged to note down as much information as possible about the accident. It is also a good idea to take pictures of the scene incident. Witness statements and police reports are also very important and should be collected promptly. The injured party can then approach a qualified personal injury attorney who will help them evaluate and pursue a claim. The injured pedestrian may recover damages including past and future wage loss, pain and suffering and all past and future medical expenses. If a pedestrian is killed in the collision, their families can pursue full compensation for their economic losses resulting from the death.
