Railroad Crossing Accidents

Missouri Railroad Crossings

The nearly 140,000 railroad crossings in the United States pose a serious danger to its citizens. In 2007, 299 people died and more than 800 were injured at public highway-rail crossings. Even crossings equipped with guard rails and flashing lights have their share of accident injuries and fatalities.

Trains are required to approach RR crossings with their headlights on and their horns sounding. But drivers who have the windows closed, the radio volume turned up, and the air conditioning on, or who are distracted by a cell phone conversation, simply may not hear the oncoming train. Flashing lights can be difficult to see in the daytime, when sun reflections or direct sunlight in the driver's eyes can impair vision. And of course, drivers who ignore the warning signals and attempt to beat an oncoming train across the tracks often lose. It can be very difficult to accurately judge the speed on an oncoming train, since they appear to be moving more slowly than they actually are.

Missouri Railroad Safety

Inadequate or malfunctioning safety equipment can also play a role in railroad crossing accidents. Many rural RR crossings don't have lights or signs, and drivers who aren't paying attention may not even slow down as they cross the tracks which can prove to be deadly. Safety equipment that doesn't function properly, such as crossing guardrails that don't lower when a train is approaching, can lure drivers into thinking its safe to continue through. At the same time, if the guards lower when no train is actually coming, drivers will begin to routinely ignore them.

If you've been involved in a RR crossing accident, be sure your rights are protected. Railroad accidents are governed by federal and state laws, so it's important to understand the statutes of the state in which the accident occurred. Failing to do so can result in the loss of compensation you deserve as a victim.

The attorneys of The Hershewe Law Firm have successfully handled many railroad crossing accident cases.

For a no-cost consultation, contact us by phone toll-free at 877-382-9734, or complete our quick contact web form.