Iowa Train Accident May Have Caused Extensive Environmental Damage

CBS News reports that a train that derailed in Iowa may have caused extensive damage to the surrounding environment. Officials claim it is not yet clear how much ethanol leaked into the nearby Mississippi river when the train left the tracks. They are currently working with experts to monitor the environmental impact of the crash, which includes examining the amount of ethanol and fuel that may have escaped from the wreck.

According to rail officials, the train left the tracks in a remote section of its route early one morning. In the accident, 14 cars carrying ethanol derailed, and eight of them were leaking. Various authorities are setting up monitoring stations downriver to ensure they can identify any potential environmental issues as they arise.

Three cars also caught fire in the crash, and another three fell into the river. Emergency workers extinguished the fires, and there were no serious injuries reported.

When should I contact a personal-injury lawyer?

If you sustained serious injuries in a car crash that wasn’t your fault, a personal-injury lawyer may be able to assist you and help recover costs associated with any medical bills or lost wages. Eells & Tronvold Law Offices, PLC is a personal-injury law firm based in Cedar Rapids that can help assess your case and provide expert advice. Give us a call today at 319-393-1020 to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case.

Authorities Identify Officer Involved in Hit-and-Run Shooting Accident 

CBS 2 Iowa reports that local authorities have identified the police officer involved in a shooting incident at a traffic stop. According to police, the officer was from the Davenport Police Department where he has worked for eight years.

The officer allegedly fired at the driver of a car he had pulled over during a traffic stop. He was the only officer on the scene, and the gunfire did not cause any serious injuries. Davenport police say the officer tried to perform a routine traffic stop after a hit-and-run accident, but the driver failed to comply with the officer’s instructions. 

He proceeded to shoot at the driver. Authorities have placed the officer on administrative leave while they investigate the incident. They have not yet revealed if they will bring any charges against the parties involved.

Traffic-Related Fatality Rate Is High in Iowa

Statistics released by FindTheData indicate that Iowa has a higher than average traffic-related fatality rate. During 2010, there were 12.79 fatalities per 100,000 people, which is higher than the national average. During that same period, there were also 348 crashes that killed 390 people.

If you need a Cedar Rapids personal-injury lawyer to help you file a car accident claim, give Eells & Tronvold Law Offices, PLC a call. We have extensive experience working with car accident victims, and we always put our clients first. Call us today at 319-393-1020 to schedule a free consultation so we can evaluate your claim and provide clarity on how best to proceed.