Articles Posted in train accidents

Americans are surrounded by smart technology, from our phones and TVs to automobile safety features and home security. As such, you might not be surprised to know that these advancements have made their way to the railroad transportation sector. The Association of American Railroads (AAR) reported on some recent developments, which include a $26 billion annual investment in smart trains by companies and governments globally. The point is to enhance safety through technology, so these measures are welcome in Florida, which ranks sixth in terms of US railroad accidents. 

Still, despite enormous investment to make trains smarter, accidents will remain a threat. You should discuss your circumstances with a Miami personal injury lawyer if you were hurt or lost a loved one, since you could qualify to recover compensation for your losses. It is also interesting to learn about the technology that shows promise in reducing the risk of collisions.

Train Accident Statistics

Railroad companies across this nation have strict rules to follow. Most of the rules serve purposes of safety and protection of motorists and pedestrians. As you may know, sometimes railroad companies do not follow said rules. This can cause fatal accidents. Yet, train passengers and nearby motorists can be injured or even killed by trains even when train companies follow the rules.    

For instance, recently in Plant City, Florida, a passenger in a SUV was killed when a train struck the vehicle. This accident occurred at the railroad crossing for Candis Road and Paul Buckman Highway. 19-year-old Bruce Dean drove the vehicle. Mr. Dean, apparently, attempted to beat the train through the intersection. During this failed attempt, the train forcefully smashed into the passenger side of the SUV. The passenger died at the scene. Per statistics, the overall most common cause of railroad accidents occurs at railway crossings. As in the above-mentioned incident, motorists make attempts to beat oncoming trains through the intersection. In actuality, studies find that this type of accident in the United States occurs every 90 minutes.     

If you or a loved one is injured from a train accident, at the fault of the railway or train company, it is imperative to hire an experienced personal injury attorney for your case. The Miami personal injury lawyers at Gerson & Schwartz, PA are here for you.

According to the Federal Railroad Administration Office of Safety, there has been a sharp increase in railroad accident deaths – from 301 deaths in 2014 to 363 deaths in 2015. A total of 22 of these railroad accident deaths have occurred in Florida in 2015. 22 lives were lost due to accidents that probably could have been prevented. In fact, 80% of Florida public railroad crossings remain unprotected by lights and safety gates. Our team of Miami personal injury lawyers find those statistics to be simply unacceptable.

Railroad accidents in Florida may occur because of:

  • Mechanical failure of the train or related hardware
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