Florida Numbered Amongst Top Ten States with Most Railroad Crossing Fatalities

Although trains are perhaps not the first vehicle that comes to mind when we hear the word crash, a recent publication issued by the Federal Railroad Administration reveals that railroad accidents should be a legitimate concern for U.S. residents. This is especially true for those who work, travel, or live in Florida, which was rated sixth among the top ten states with the most rail road crossing fatalities in the country.

These types of accidents tend to have particularly devastating consequences, making it especially important for those who are injured in railroad accidents in Florida, to retain an experienced catastrophic injury attorney in Fort Lauderdale who can explain their legal options.

How Common are Railroad Accidents?

According to the Federal Railroad Administration, which just published the results of a four year review, there were 460 railroad accidents in Florida between 2014 and 2018. Tragically, 16 percent of those accidents proved deadly, while 25 percent resulted in injury. More than 65 percent of those who were killed in railroad accidents during this four year span were pedestrians.

Where do Most Railroad Accidents Occur?

Based on federal data, most of the train crashes that occurred in Florida over the last four years took place in urban areas that had heavier pedestrian traffic, including Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and west Palm Beach. In 2017 alone, for instance, 76 people lost their lives on railroad tracks in south Florida. That year represented an all-time high for railroad accidents in Florida, as well as a ten year high for the country. Aside from pedestrians, occupants of school buses and motorcycle riders proved to be at a much higher risk of injury in this type of accident.

Common Railroad Accident Causes

Like car accidents, railroad accidents can and do have a number of different causes. Most railroad accidents, however, can be linked to at least one of the following:

• Conductor error, which includes failing to abide by the speed limit, operating a train while distracted, failing to switch tracks properly, and failing to take note of rail traffic;
• Railway negligence, which includes the failure or malfunctioning of lights and cautionary devices;
• Mechanical failures, which can be attributed to the use of faulty parts or machinery; or
• Inspection or maintenance violations.

When this type of conduct results in an injury, the at-fault parties can be held liable for damages. This could include the company that owns the train, the entity responsible for maintaining or clearing the tracks, the train’s designer or manufacturer, or the municipality, county, or state where the accident occurred.

Consulting a Fort Lauderdale Catastrophic Injury Attorney

To find out whether you or a loved one have a valid railway accident claim against the entity or individual that caused your own injuries, please call the dedicated Fort Lauderdale catastrophic injury lawyers at Boone & Davis today. A member of our legal team can be reached at 954-566-9919 or via online message, so please don’t hesitate to call or contact us online at your earliest convenience.

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