{"id":442,"date":"2017-07-17T23:51:47","date_gmt":"2017-07-17T23:51:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/grovespowerslaw.com\/stage578\/?p=442"},"modified":"2023-07-17T05:40:09","modified_gmt":"2023-07-17T05:40:09","slug":"railroad-grade-crossing-accidents-whos-at-fault","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/grovespowerslaw.com\/stage578\/railroad-grade-crossing-accidents-whos-at-fault\/","title":{"rendered":"Railroad Grade Crossing Accidents – Who’s at fault?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Currently, there are over 200,000 railroad grade crossings in the United States.  Many commuters drive over railway crossings on a daily basis, never considering the potential dangers of doing so. While a train on motor-vehicle accident may seem unlikely at first, these crashes are relatively common in the US.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Railroad | Motor-vehicle Accident Statistics<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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<\/path><\/svg><\/span>Motor vehicle drivers and passengers are\u00a040 times more likely to get killed<\/strong>\u00a0in a railroad grade crossing accident than in a motor vehicle on motor vehicle accident.<\/span><\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/path><\/svg><\/span>There were 2,025 collisions at railroad grade crossings involving vehicles in 2016<\/span><\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/path><\/svg><\/span>265 people were killed in railroad grade crossings crashes in 2016<\/span><\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/path><\/svg><\/span>798 people were injured in railroad grade crossing collisions in 2016<\/span><\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/path><\/svg><\/span>A train-on-car crash happens approximately every three hours in the US<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Some grade crossings may present more danger than others, depending on the types warning devices utilized, the condition and upkeep of the crossing and associated signals, and a variety of other factors. It is the railroad\u2019s responsibility to provide motor vehicle drivers and train engineers with adequate warnings and maintenance of sight lines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who’s at fault?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Due to the potentially complex nature of the circumstances surrounding these accidents, determination of fault requires experience and understanding of the law and how railroads operate, and all aspects of the crash should be carefully investigated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is the railroads responsibility to maintain safe grade crossings, and provide safe working conditions for the train crews. Although railroad operations may have to comply with certain Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) regulations, states may also have their own rules and regulations regarding grade crossing clearances for vegetation, roadway construction and maintenance of crossings, all of which can come into play in the event of an accident.  Below are some examples of potential causes for rail-auto accidents that may give more insight into why these collisions happen:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Potential Causes \u2013 Railroad Crossing Accidents<\/h3>\n\n\n\n