Auto Accident
Home to several different railroad museums, as well as the historic site of many landmark railroads that connected the country back when train travel was the fastest option, Los Angeles is no stranger to railroads.
With the amount of train tracks and railroad lines that crisscross throughout the greater Los Angeles area, injuries at train crossings are a tragically common occurrence in the city.
Whether a light rail train being used to carry commuters to their destination, or a freight train transporting goods and materials into or out of Los Angeles, train crossings and railroad tracks are a common hazard that need to be properly maintained and utilized to prevent injury to pedestrians or vehicles attempting to cross the tracks. If you or a loved one have been injured because of an improperly used or poorly-maintained train crossing in the city of Los Angeles, you may be able to seek damages against the owner of the train.
What are some common causes of railroad injuries?
Light rails, subway trains, commuter trains, and freight trains all share one thing in common – the presence of railroad crossings through public areas. These crossings refer to areas where a train track would cut through an area otherwise accessible to pedestrians and/or vehicles, such as sidewalks or roadways.
These crossings are strictly regulated by both state and federal guidelines, and are required to have well-maintained guard gates and clearly visible warnings at each crossing to prevent pedestrian injury. Even with these safety precautions, however, accidents can occur thanks to conditions like negligent railway maintenance or mechanical failure, which can cause injury to people waiting near the railroad crossing, or waiting for a Light Rail train to pick them up.
Conductor negligence is a potential factor as well. If the conductor of a train gets impatient and disregards posted warnings about speed and braking, they may miss important stopping signals and cause injury to nearby pedestrians or collide with nearby vehicles.
No matter what form it may take, railroad negligence is considered a leading contributor to injuries near railroad crossings all throughout Los Angeles.
Common injuries from railroad crossing accidents
What should I do if I am injured at a train crossing?
Under California law, trains are considered common carriers, meaning they are required to take all necessary safety precautions to protect both their passengers and pedestrians that may be impacted by their operation. Accordingly, common carriers can be held legally responsible for failing to use care and responsibility when operating their vehicles. If you have been injured at a railroad crossing by negligence on the part of the owners and/or operators of the train, you may be able to seek financial damages such as:
- Pain and suffering
- Lost wages
- Medical expenses
- Aftercare during recovery
among others, depending on the circumstances of your case.
Contact a railroad crossing injury lawyer
If you feel your injury at a train crossing was due to negligence on the owner or conductor’s fault, The Wallace Firm can help you seek damages for your injury. With a team of compassionate and skilled personal injury lawyers, The Wallace Firm will be with you every step of the way. Contact us today with the details of your case and let us go to bat for you.