500 People Killed Every Year in Preventable Rail Crossing Accidents

North Carolina (NC) Railroad Accident/FELA Lawyers
Attorneys Licensed in NC and South Carolina (SC) with Office in Elizabeth City, NC

Railroad Injury/FELA

3/2/2010
Emily Mapp Brannon
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500 People Killed Every Year in Preventable Rail Crossing Accidents

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) is reporting that 500 pedestrians get killed every year in preventable rail crossing accidents. In fact, there has been more loss of life from pedestrian crossing accidents than car/train accidents.

In order to combat these numbers from growing, the FRA started the Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Safety and Trespass Prevention Program. The goal is to reduce the prevalence, popular indifference and social acceptability of trespassing. The program has good intentions, but I dont think that labeling people who cross or walk along railroad tracks as trespassers is a good way to start this endeavor. The FRA needs to admit the fact that many railroad companies may be liable for a rail crossing death due to a distracted conductor or mechanical error.

For example, a recent train crash which killed 25 people and seriously injured 135 was due to the fact that the train conductor was texting and not paying attention, according to Reuters.

Im not saying the rail companies are always to blame. There are legitimate instances when someone was trespassing on a rail track and were seriously injured as a result of their negligence. However, a program designed to reduce the number of pedestrian deaths on the railroads should focus on both educating pedestrians AND educating train conductors on what exactly to do if they notice a pedestrian on the tracks. It's not a one way street. All of the parties involved (pedestrians, rail companies, FRA) in these tragic accidents need to examine the areas that can be improved and implement those improvements so less people die needlessly. We can do a lot better than 500 rail crossing deaths every single year.

PA

Labels: accident accidents attorney Brannon crossing FRA injury pedestrian rail railroad

About the Editors: Shapiro, Lewis & Appleton is a law firm whose attorneys focus on injury and accident law and who have handled hundreds of railroad worker injury and general railroad injury cases. Please take a few moments to review our railroad injury case results involving FELA and other rail employee protection laws.

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Rick Shapiro and James Lewis have been included among the Best Lawyers in America since 2008 and we have been named one of the best Best Injury Law Firms in North Carolina for personal injury law since 2010 by U.S. News & World Report. In addition, Rick and Jim have been listed in the National Million Dollar Advocates Forum since 2009 and our firm has the highest rating of AV from national lawyer ranking organization Martindale-Hubbell. That means we have a reputation for demonstrating preeminent legal skill.

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Elizabeth City, NC Personal Injury Attorneys
North Carolina (NC) Personal Injury Lawyers
Specializing in North Carolina Wrongful Death & Injury Law

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500 People Killed Every Year in Preventable Rail Crossing Accidents

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