WASHINGTON (WUSA) -- Metro is willing to take some of the blame for the crash on the Red Line in 2009 that left 9 people dead and injured dozens more. This would be the first time the agency has publicly admitted any fault in the crash. But taking the blame isn't a quick process and it's not a cheap process.
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There's a memorial on the New Hampshire Avenue overpass overlooking the crash site, but let's talk about one: Ana Fernandez. We remember at a memorial last summer each of her 6 children broke down in tears as they spoke about their mother, their only surviving parent. Each of those children have filed a wrongful death suit against Metro.
The Washington Examiner says Metro, along with three equipment manufacturing companies, filed documents in DC District Court stating that they are prepared to admit to some liability at the four remaining trials. According to the Examiner, the filing is an effort to avoid the cost and exposure of a lengthy trial.
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Seven of the nine death cases along with several injury cases related to the crash have already been settled.
There's no work on payouts but Metro says its $5 million insurance deductible will cover those costs. It also says Metro riders won't necessarily be paying for cash settlements, but riders are paying for safety improvements thought recent fare hikes.
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Since the crash, Metro has changed management and worked with the National Transportation Safety Board to improve safety. Many measures have been taken so far but those outdated, unsafe series of rail cars like those involved in the 2009 crash will not be completely replaced until next year.
Metro is also running all trains on manual mode, which allows the conductor more control. You may remember that the trains in the deadly 2009 crash were on automatic mode and when the conductor of the second train tried to brake unfortunately that brake did not work.
Watch Delia Goncalves' video above for more details.
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