Deadliest Railroad Crossings Must Be Improved, Feds Order

Rick is a Virginia injury attorney who handles car accidents, medical malpractice, FELA, wrongful death, etc.

7/9/2010
Richard N. Shapiro
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Deadliest Railroad Crossings Must Be Improved, Feds Order

Federal regulators have given the 10 states with the highest number of crashes between trains and cars, trucks, buses, vans and motorcycles at railroad crossings a year to put together and start implementing plans to improve crossing safety. According to the Federal Railroad Administration, which issued the new safety rule, 1,905 crossing accidents occurred in the United States during 2009; 245 of those proved fatal to a person in the vehicle hit by the train.

The majority of those crashes happened in Alabama (AL), California (CA), Florida (FL), Georgia (GA), Illinois (IL), Indiana IN), Iowa (IA), Louisiana (LA), Ohio (OH) and Texas (TX). While some involved drivers who ignored warnings to stop for an oncoming train, a large number also occurred at places where tracks crossed roads and highways that did not have pavement markings, stop signs, red lights or gates warning drivers about the danger.

The FRA has not mandated any specific changes states need to make to ensure drivers and train crews can share roadways more safely, but the agency will work with state officials and rail industry representatives to develop solutions. The FRA is also offering grants for the repair and upgrading of crossings.

My colleagues and I have long advocated for safe rail crossings. This means removing visual obstructions like trees and bushes around track intersections, as well as installing and maintaining red lights and gates. If the states targeted by the federal order fail to do these things, they stand to loose money the FRA awards for the operation of freight and passenger rail. I hope the financial threat will spur those responsible for track safety to do the right thing.

EJL

Category: Railroad Injury/FELA

Labels: accident car Crash crossing Death FRA gates injury lawyer loss of life rails red light safety Shapiro stop sign truck van

About the Editors: Shapiro, Lewis & Appleton is a Virginia injury law firm whose attorneys focus on personal injury and accident law and have handled hundreds of Federal Employers' Liability Act claims for railroad workers hurt or made ill while doing their rail jobs. We also have represented many people injured in train accidents. Please take a few moments to review our railroad injury case results. Our primary offices are in Virginia Beach and Hampton, VA, but we're ready to come to you anywhere in Virginia if you've been seriously hurt by someone else's carelessness.

Rick Shapiro and James Lewis have been included among the Best Lawyers in America since 2008, and have been named Virginia Super Lawyers for Personal Injury Law since 2010. Fewer than 5 percent of lawyers are chosen for this professional honor.

In addition, we were the first injury law firm in Virginia to join Primerus, a select group of highly ethical and respected law firms. Our firm has the highest rating of AV from Martindale-Hubbell, a national lawyer ranking organization, which means we have a reputation for preeminent legal skill. Our attorneys have even been included in the National Million Dollar Advocates Forum since 2009.

We would like to send you one of our free reports about railroad injury and FELA cases, including Dos & Don'ts When Injured at a Railroad: Your FELA Rights and What Railroad Claim Agents Agents Won't Tell You (But You Must Know).

While not every injury case meets our criteria, we offer a free initial confidential injury case consultations, so call us toll free at (800) 752-0042. If you cannot get through due to high call volume, please leave a voicemail so we can return your call.

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