Columbus Ohio Train Accident Lawyers

RAILROAD CROSSING ACCIDENTS

Railroad crossing crashes kill hundreds of victims each year. Thousands more are injured. To prevent these tragedies, railroads have a duty to exercise reasonable care in making crossings safe. This may require providing gates, lights, or other warnings to motorists. Failure to properly mark crossings or to maintain adequate protection creates an unacceptable risk for the motoring public. Accidents that result from defective crossings generally cause severe injuries or death. Victims and their families may be entitled to full compensation.

Fault

Even train accident victims who are partially at fault may be entitled to recover a portion of their damages. Under Ohio's law of comparative fault, if more than one person causes an accident, the fault is shared by the parties.

To protect your legal rights following catastrophic injury or death due to a railroad crossing collision, it is wise to consult a personal injury law firm with experience in these matters as soon as possible. Within the first week, important physical evidence can be lost, and witnesses may become hard to find.

Questions You Should Ask An Attorney

What to Do Following a Railroad Crossing Collision

Our law firm has extensive experience in representing victims of railroad accidents. Cases we have handled include:

• Bernard was working his maintenance job as he had done for 20 years. His work vehicle attempted to cross an unprotected railroad crossing. The train crashed into the vehicle and killed Bernard. Prior crashes had occurred at the crossing. Gates and lights would have prevented the tragedy. We performed a complete reconstruction of the scene and crash. A jury agreed that gates and lights should have been in place. Gates and lights were installed after the crash. The railroad should learn that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
• The City and the railroad were blaming each other for not installing gates and lights at a railroad crossing. Who should pay for gates and lights they asked? While they were arguing with each other, a young married woman crossed the intersection and was struck by a train. She was killed instantly. Obstructions prevented a clear view of the tracks. We assembled our team of experts and proved that gates and lights should have been installed before the crash. The railroad paid substantial and fair compensation to the family.

Damages

A victim and the victim's family may be entitled to recover damages for: hospital and medical expenses; past and future lost earnings; past and future permanent physical disability, such as a limp, scars, loss of a limb; emotional distress, such as depression and anxiety; grief and emotional suffering caused by the death of a loved one; loss of love and companionship caused by the death of a loved one; damage or destruction of property; physical pain and suffering; loss of enjoyment of life.

Questions To Ask

When considering hiring a lawyer to represent you in a claim involving a railroad crossing crash, there are some specific questions you should ask to evaluate the lawyer's experience with this type of case. You should ask for the number of railroad crossing cases the lawyer has handled and the results. Ask for references of other railroad crossing crash victims the lawyer has represented. For a list of other important questions you should ask before hiring a lawyer, click here.

Clark Perdue

Clark Perdue has extensive experience handling railroad crossing accident claims. If requested, we will meet you—in your home or at the hospital, if necessary—to explain your legal rights and make suggestions for immediate action on your claim.

For more information about protecting your legal rights following a railroad crossing accident, or for a free consultation about your situation, please call or e-mail Clark, Perdue. We promise to respond promptly.