Railway Accidents
Railroad companies are responsible for securing their property, yet trespass fatality is the #1 cause of all railroad-related deaths.
To kids and teenagers, the world is a playground. They don’t know
or care who owns a particular piece of property— all they know is that it looks like
a great place to play. Adults as well may take advantage of the rail right-of-way to jog,
ride bikes, fish and walk on or near railroad tracks daily, without realizing that they are trespassing
and endangering their lives and the lives of train crews. The Federal Railroad Administration reported that in 2006, trespass fatalities, the number one cause of all rail-related deaths,
increased by 14.5 percent to 530.
It is the responsibility of railroad owners and operators to ensure that every measure
is taken to educate and warn the public of inherent dangers associated with railroad property
and operations. It is also the responsibility of those same owners and operators to take
all possible measures to secure their rail yards, switching yards, rail right of ways,
train bridges and all other railroad property from both willful and innocent trespass.
If you or a family member have been injured in an accident on railroad property, the railroad company may be found liable for the injury if they didn't take sufficient measures to secure their property from trespass. If so, then you may be entitled to receive compensation for your injury or loss.
For a free consultation, contact a railroad
injury attorney at Arnold & Itkin LLP by calling toll free (866)222-2606 or by
submitting the form at the top of this page.
More information...
To learn more about rail accidents and safe practices around railways and trains,
go to the Operation Lifesaver website. This organization is dedicated education, enforcement
and engineering to make railroad right of ways and railroad crossings safer. It can be found at:
http://www.railserve.com/Rail_Industry/Operation_Lifesaver/
