Missouri Personal Injury Lawyer Blog

A fatal railroad collision between a car and a train near the U.S. 71-B in Arkansas has investigators wondering why active warning signs were not at the railroad crossing. The crossing, lacking flashing lights and hinged road-blocking arms, is a dangerous intersection that is, according to the department of transportation, unlikely to have warning signals installed in the near future.

According to the department of transportation, of the 2, 700 railroad crossings in Arkansas, 70 percent do not have active warnings. At such railroad crossings, the only warning may be the sound of the conductor blowing the train's whistle about 15-20 seconds before an intersection, which is a state law requirement.

Several aspects of an intersection are examined before a decision is made to install active warnings; the following are often considered:

1. Train Accident history
2. Site distance in relation to vegetation or new construction blocking visibility of the track.
3. Number of railroad crossings on the road
4. Number of trains that use the track daily
5. Speed of those trains
6. Amount of traffic that crosses those tracks
7. Type of vehicles that cross the tracks regularly
8. If the intersections is often crossed by school buses
9. If hazardous materials are usually transported
10. If it is a more frequently used ambulance route

Continue reading "Fatal Train Accident at Railroad Crossing Raises Questions" »

Posted by John J. Page | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Train Accidents

Bookmark:

A 17-year-old girl was killed when a southbound Amtrak train hit her in Kent, Washington. The young girl was crossing the tracks while she was talking on her cell phone. Witnesses allege that the girl was simply not paying attention prior to the train accident, while she crossed the tracks.

However, cell phone usage was not the only issue at hand, as the surrounding area also made the tracks difficult to see because the tracks are surrounded by buildings and apartments, and the girl was hit at an unmarked crossing. Authorities say that this is the fifth fatality on Washington rails this year that involve unmarked railroad crossings.

Most marked railroad crossing include flashing lights and a gate, but in some remote areas, tracks may remain unmarked. It is, therefore, essential that everyone exercise caution when coming to railroad tracks of any nature, as surrounding circumstances, similar to the railroad accident above, may make it difficult to see a train.

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) typically uses three types of traffic controlling devices at railroad crossings to alert those nearby of a train. The following lists the three devices and details driver responsibility when approaching them:

1. A crossbuck is a type of YIELD sign: the driver should be prepared to stop at least 4.5 m (15 ft) before the near rail if necessary, unless and until the driver can make a reasonable decision that there are no trains in hazardous proximity to the crossing, and it is safe to cross.

2. Operating flashing lights have the same function as a STOP sign: a vehicle is required to stop completely at least 4.5 m (15 ft) short of the near rail. Then, even though the flashing lights may still be operating, the driver is allowed to proceed after stopping (subject to State or local laws), when safe to do so.

3. Flashing lights with lowered gates are equivalent to a red vehicular traffic signal indication: a vehicle is required to stop short of the gate and remain stopped until the gates go up.

Continue reading "17 Year Old Girl Killed Crossing Railroad Tracks" »

Posted by John J. Page | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Train Accidents

Bookmark:

A man died from injuries sustained in a car-train accident in Monroe County, Missouri. The man was allegedly driving when his car got stuck on railroad tracks; an electromotive train that could not be stopped struck his vehicle. A passenger in his car also sustained serious injuries. The railroad crossing was not controlled by signals.

The Federal Railroad Association (FRA) has implemented regulations to specifically handle "railroad signal systems." This regulation is in reference to a block signal system, which means an interlocking, automatic train stop, train control, or cab-signal device, or a similar device, intended to promote safety in railroad operations.

The FRA requires that a railroad carrier periodically inspect and test the signal systems and report any malfunctions or accidents to prevent such dangerous events. A railroad carrier is supposed to report to the Secretary of Transportation a failure of a signal system to function as intended. If the failure results in a railroad accident or incident causing injury to an individual or property that is required to be reported, the carrier owning or maintaining the signal system has to immediately report the fact of the accident or incident to the Secretary.

Continue reading "Missouri Man Dies in Car-Train Accident" »

Posted by John J. Page | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Train Accidents

Bookmark:

A 24 car cargo train in Orange County collided with a tractor trailer on Monday, temporarily closing East Landstreet Rd. Although he was riding in the back of the train, the conductor suffered serious injuries during the violent Missouri Train Accident, according to police.

The cause of the train accident is currently under investigation. At this time, it is unknown whether the railroad’s crossing bars and lights were functioning properly.

The tractor trailer driver was stopped at the crossing when the railroad crossing arms began to raise. He then began to cross the railroad tracks when the train crashed into the truck. Apparently, the train was backing up at the time of the impact.

During this St. Louis railroad accident, the rear of the train crashed into the driver's side of the semi truck. The force of the impact caused the tractor trailer to flip over and catch on fire from leaked diesel fuel.

It was feared the truck and/or train were hauling hazardous materials when the fire started. An investigation eventually revealed only non-toxic materials were being hauled.

Continue reading "Two Injured in Train vs. Truck Accident" »

Posted by John J. Page | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Train Accidents

Bookmark: