Train Accidents

Trains provide commuters and leisure travelers with an efficient and convenient way to travel to their destinations. However, traveling on railroads or through train tracks can present significant dangers to passengers and road users. Those who suffer injuries in a Florida train accident, should contact an experienced attorney to parse out the complex issues that these cases present.

Railroads pose serious public safety issues, which can lead to severe injuries or death. There are many reasons that railroad accidents occur, and many involve systemic negligence or operator error. Despite the prevalence of safety issues, many large train companies have implemented barriers to recovery. For instance, Amtrak, imposes mandatory arbitration agreements on ticket holders who claim negligence against the company. The unique structure of many train companies makes recovery difficult.

There are many reasons that a train accident may occur. The most common causes of Florida train accidents are operator error, distraction, track defects, train malfunctions, defective equipment, and rail-crossing errors. However, in some instances, the exact cause of the accident may be confounding. For example, a recent news report described a fatal Florida train accident. Deputies reported that an Amtrak train hit a truck in Plant City, Florida. The train crew told investigators that when they noticed the truck, they blew the train’s horn several times to indicate that the train could not slow down. However, the truck did not clear the railway in time. The truck driver was pronounced dead at the scene of the collision.

Although less common than years ago, Florida train accidents still injure a significant number of people each year. In fact, according to the most recent government statistics, there have already been roughly 350 fatalities due to train accidents so far this year.Railroad companies have a duty to ensure that they operate safely. This means that they must ensure that the train and tracks are in good condition, that crossings are well-marked and free of visual obstructions, and that train operators do what they can to avoid accidents. In a recent wrongful death case, a court affirmed a jury verdict in the amount of $10.7 million, based on a railroad company’s failure to take the necessary precautions to avoid an accident.

The Facts of the Case

The plaintiff’s husband and a friend were traveling across a set of railroad tracks when, unbeknownst to them, a train was immediately approaching. The train collided with the vehicle, which was being driven by the plaintiff’s husband, causing it to flip upside down. Both the plaintiff’s husband and the passenger were ejected. The plaintiff’s husband died as a result of the injuries he sustained in the accident. The passenger survived, although he suffered serious injuries.

Articles Posted in Train Accidents

Unique Issues Arising After a Florida Train Accident

Jury Holds Railroad Company Liable for Fatal Train Accident, Court Upholds $10.4 Million Verdict