Catastrophic Injuries from Train Crossing Accidents

Every single year people are seriously injured or killed at railroad crossings. What is behind these seemingly easily preventable incidents? Well in 2010, the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) participated in something called the National Crossing Inventory, in which over 3,800 railroad crossings in over 79 counties across the state were inspected. The results of these inspections are nothing surprising. Across the state, many railroad crossings do not have sufficient warning systems to alert drivers and pedestrians of an oncoming train. This lack of safety infrastructure combined with human error contributes to most railroad crossing incidents. Even when the proper safety infrastructure is in place, obstructed views of the tracks and conductors not using their horns can lead to catastrophic incidents.

Train crashes with motor vehicles cause devastating damage

In the United States, incidents at train crossings kill more than 500 people and injure more than 2,000 people each year. According to Operation Lifesaver, the force of a 30-car freight train hitting you is equal to the force of your own car crushing that 12-oz coke can you are holding right now. The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) reported 2,059 railroad crossing incidents in 2015 with 244 fatalities and 967 injuries. These injuries generally tend to be catastrophic. The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that three out of four crashes occur within 25 miles of a motorist’s home. It also estimates that a motorist is almost 20 times more likely to die in a crash involving a train than in a collision involving another vehicle. The FRA estimates that cars and trains collide about every 12 minutes.

Compensation for train crash survivors with catastrophic injuries

The fortunate ones who survive a collision between their car and a train usually suffer permanent, catastrophic injuries – the type of injury that changes a life completely. Most people can no longer return to work which means they can no longer provide for their family. They may require multiple surgeries and may even be forced to be under medical care their entire lives. These people often suffer serious brain or spinal cord injuries. They can suffer serious burns or amputations. A collision with a train can and often does change a person’s life forever. It is hard to know where to turn or who to trust. But that is exactly where we come in.

The attorneys at Bailey & Greer understand the needs of our clients. We understand that you are in pain, out of work, and the familiarities of your life before the injury have vanished. We help clients with catastrophic injuries every single day. We know how to evaluate how much it will cost to provide long-term hospitalization, ongoing medical care, daily nursing care, and rehabilitation. We also know how to evaluate your potential compensation for lost wages, disability, pain and suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life.

A catastrophic injury will undoubtedly change the course of your life. You might not be able to return to work, and you may require around-the-clock medical care and support. If you or a loved one has suffered a catastrophic injury caused by the negligence of another, you are encouraged to call an experienced and highly qualified attorney at Bailey & Greer, PLLC. You may contact us at 901-680-9777 today or fill out our contact form to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case in either our Memphis or Jackson office. We will always give honest feedback, and we will set the gears in motion for getting your life back to normal.