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Railroad
Crossing Accidents
At Gary
C. Johnson, P.S.C., our attorneys have extensive
experience in all types of personal injury and
wrongful death claims including railroad crossing
accidents. We have successfully represented railroad
workers in FELA cases and victims in crossing
accident cases in Kentucky, West Virginia, and many
other states for over three decades. We believe in justice that helps
to right the wrong done to innocent victims by
holding the companies responsible for their
negligence. If you have been injured or lost a loved
one in a railroad-crossing related mishap, you may
be entitled to compensation for your injuries
including medical care, lost wages and other
damages.
The law firm you choose does make a
difference - a difference between a life of pain and
economic hardship and a future where monetary
concerns are secondary to improving the quality of
your life. Gary C. Johnson, P.S.C. has the
credentials to help you pursue justice and ensure
that you receive the maximum compensation available.
The
Federal Railroad Administration estimates that every
90 minutes there is a train collision or derailment
in the United States. For the last decade, there
have been approximately 3,000 railroad accidents
annually, with nearly 35% of railway crossing
accidents occurring to children under 16. Many of
these accidents are avoidable and caused by
defective or outdated train equipment, or untrained
or overworked employees. Railroads are
self-regulated and a close eye is kept on the bottom
line for profit. Very little is done to update
technology unless there are several accidents or
lawsuits related to a specific crossing. According
to the National Transportation Safety Board, more
than 80% of public crossings do not have safety
lights and gates and 60% of all train accidents
happen at these crossings. Other examples of the
Railroad's fault in crossing accidents include:
- Obstructed
crossing because of vegetation or other objects;
- Limited
sight distance for vehicle operators or the
train;
- Trains
approaching crossings without lights on and horn
sounding;
- Unsafe
locomotive cab protruding metal or structural
parts, weak steel parts, lack of full body
protection, poor seats or seats with protruding
steel on support brackets.
Crossing
accidents are complex claims that require skill,
legal knowledge and aggressive negotiating skills.
Often the Railroad blames the accident on the
injured party and may even attempt to receive
property damage compensation. If you have been
injured in a crossing accident seek medical
attention because minor injuries may become major
problems later. As soon as possible after your
accident begin to document your case with witness
information, detail of your injuries and receipts
for accident related expenses.
Another
priority is to quickly contact a qualified attorney
in order to protect your rights. Do not talk with
insurance companies without effective
representation. Insurance companies are in business
to make a profit, which is decreased with accident
payouts. Also remember that the Federal Employee
Liability Act (FELA) entitles injured railroad
workers to file claims, so if you were injured in
railroad crossing accidents while working, you may
be entitled to compensation.
Please
contact the law
offices of Gary C. Johnson, P.S.C., for assistance
and advice. Our firm works for injured people and
their families. We offer a free initial consultation
to discuss your case, and we will always give you
our honest opinion about your case in light of the
facts, case law, and our experience with similar
railroad crossing cases.
Call us today at (800) 337-4002, or use our online contact
form.
At
Gary C. Johnson, P.S.C., we are dedicated to
representing individuals who have been injured due
to the negligence of others. Our personal injury
attorneys provide tough and aggressive
representation aimed at moving your case forward and
obtaining full compensation for your injuries.
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