Arkansas Railroad Accident Statistics
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) reports 292 accidents at railroad crossings in Arkansas between 2005 and 2008 with 36 of resulting in fatalities. Arkansas railroad attorneys at The Hershewe Law Firm are experienced in the complexity of railroad litigation, accident investigations, and personal injury and wrongful death claims. They will advise you of your rights if you are involved in a railroad-related accident and work with you to seek proper compensation.
Railroad accidents take many forms:
- Car-car collisions
- Car-train collisions
- Derailments
- Human error
- Improper speed
- Maintenance problems
- Mechanical error
- Person-train collisions
- Structural defects
Accidents at railroad crossings are probably the types of railroad tragedies that come to mind most easily. FRA statistics show that 97automobiles were implicated in railroad crossing accidents between 2005 and 2008 in Arkansas.
Other accidents at Arkansas crossings involved:
- 67 pickup trucks
- 64 truck-trailers
- 20 trucks
- 9 vans
- 5 pedestrians
- 26 other types of motor vehicles
The FRA also records injuries and deaths for incidents it refers to as trespasses. Railroad tracks, trestles, yards and equipment are private property. Walking or playing on them is illegal. Since 1972 the FRA notes that almost 7,400 people have been killed while trespassing on railroad rights-of-way and property. In 2008 six people were injured and two people died in trespassing incidents at railroad crossings in Arkansas. There were 458 trespassing fatalities and 426 trespassing injuries nationwide in 2008. Multiple factors usually play a role when railroad accidents occur. There may be several responsible parties and numerous investigators. Time is of the essence. If you need guidance about an Arkansas railroad accident or more information about railroad statistics, contact The Hershewe Law Firm for a free consultation.
