Durham Railroad Crossing Deaths

Clore Law · November 27 2011

Did you know railroad crossing accidents have increased since 1997? Most people are surprised to learn the frequency of train accidents. Those who can be held responsible in train wrecks are not. Norfolk Southern and the state transportation board have commission a railroad crossing study in anticipation of an increase in passenger traffic on NC railway lines. Four people have died from train collisions in Durham in the past 10 years, and in 2006 a freight train demolished a DATA bus at the Driver Street crossing. No riders were on the bus and the driver only suffered minor injuries. more from the N&O

Railroad Crossing Accidents

The railway industry is self-regulating, for the most part. The government does not place much oversite on their activities. Perhaps this is why rail companies have made little investment in safety technology over the last 2 decades. While other transportation industries have made major improvement in safety, the railway industry is still using safety technology from 1970. Railroad crossing equipement may not function properly, if there is any. Most train collisions with pedestrians or vehicles are at crossing without any warning equipment whatsoever. There are procedures, like whistle blowing and speed reduction, intended to warn of an oncoming train; however, these are manual tasks that can be neglected by a careless employee.

Railroad Crossing Attorney

When trains collide with pedestrians and other vehicles, the result is catastrophic injury and death. The victims and their families will have medical expenses, lost wages and pain and suffering resulting from the incident. A railway crossing lawsuit serves as financial damages to the victims and also as punishment for the negligent railway company. A company cannot face criminal charges for train wrecks, so a civli lawsuit may be the only punishment for their negligence. Call the Clore Law Group ow if you or someone you love was in a railroad crossing accident.