Traveling by rail used to be the quickest way to get people and goods around the country. But now that we have cars and planes, train travel isn’t as popular as it used to be, and cross-country commuter rails aren’t as commonly seen today. However, shipping goods by train is still very common and you’ll often see freight trains going through town at all hours of the day and night.
Most cities have a railroad crossing or two, which typically have railroad arms that come down when a train is about to cross. Train crossings aren’t typically anything more than a slight nuisance—waiting for the train to pass through and then waiting for the traffic to clear up. But when the railroad arm malfunctions and doesn’t warn drivers of an oncoming train, it can result in very serious injuries and even death.
TRAIN ACCIDENTS CAN CAUSE MAJOR DAMAGE
Railroad companies are required to a reasonable degree to ensure that their passengers on board are safe, but they are also required to keep bystanders like pedestrians and drivers safe by checking for railroad arm malfunction and warning signal failure at railroad crossings. These arms and warning signals alert drivers that a train is coming and to stop so that the train can cross safely without incident. If these malfunction, drivers and pedestrians may not know to take caution of a train coming until it is too late.
If the railroad company has been negligent with the upkeep of their railroad arms and warning signals that results in a crash, the company may be liable for any damage or injuries the crash causes.
A collision with a train and an automobile can cause catastrophic damage due to the size and weight of a train. Even if the incident is considered minor, the likelihood of serious injuries or death is higher when a collision is between a train and a car or a train and a pedestrian.
If you or a loved one has suffered injuries as a result of a crash caused by a railroad arm malfunction, you may be entitled to compensation for lost wages, medical care, or pain and suffering.
Life-threatening injuries or deaths caused by a railroad arm malfunction shouldn’t happen. Don’t sit in silence—call on the services of an experienced and knowledgeable train accident attorney in Georgia. Contact the Fry | Goehring today at (404) 948-3571 for more information on how you might be able to pursue litigation against the railroad company.
