Common Causes of Crossing Accidents
Railroad crossing accidents result from multiple factors:
- Malfunctioning Signals: Gates, lights, or bells that fail to activate
- Inadequate Warnings: Crossings without proper signage, lights, or gates
- Obstructed Views: Vegetation, buildings, or terrain blocking sight lines
- Quiet Zones: Areas where trains don't sound horns, increasing risk
- Train Speed: Trains traveling too fast for conditions
- Driver Error: Attempting to beat approaching trains
Who is Responsible for Crossing Safety?
Crossing safety is a shared responsibility:
- Railroads: Must maintain signals, clear sight lines, and operate trains safely
- Government Entities: Responsible for road approaches, signage, and some signal systems
- Signal Equipment Manufacturers: Liable for defective equipment
- Maintenance Companies: Responsible for proper signal upkeep
Determining which parties failed in their duties requires investigation of the specific crossing and circumstances.
Types of Crossing Protections
Crossings have varying levels of protection:
Active Protections:
- Flashing lights
- Bells/audible warnings
- Automatic gates
Passive Protections:
- Crossbuck signs
- Stop signs
- Yield signs
- Pavement markings
Crossings with only passive protections have significantly higher accident rates. If a crossing should have had active protections but didn't, the responsible parties may be liable.
Proving Negligence in Crossing Accidents
To prove negligence, you may need to establish:
- The crossing was unreasonably dangerous
- Signals malfunctioned or were inadequate for traffic volume
- The railroad knew or should have known of the danger
- The railroad failed to take reasonable steps to improve safety
- A history of accidents or near-misses at the crossing
Evidence like signal maintenance records, prior accident reports, and expert testimony about crossing safety standards can support your claim.
Compensation in Crossing Accident Cases
Crossing accident victims and families may recover:
- Medical expenses for catastrophic injuries
- Long-term care and rehabilitation costs
- Lost wages and future earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Wrongful death damages
- Vehicle damage and property loss
Given the severity of train-vehicle collisions, settlements often reach into the millions of dollars.