Atlanta Railroad Crossing Accidents

Railroad crossing accidents are the things nightmares are made of. If you are lucky enough to survive being hit by a train, chances are that your injuries will not be minor. Over 6,000 people were hit by trains at railroad crossings last year alone. Of those struck, approximately 5,500 suffered injuries and over 500 were killed as a result. There are a number of challenges for victims of railroad crossing accidents. First, their injuries are generally very serious. This can make it hard for them to focus on getting legal support or taking action, because all of their energy is going into recovery. Additionally, it can be hard for people to know who to even hold accountable for their injuries.

In many cases, the liable party is not immediately apparent, and may take some more thorough investigation by an attorney to determine who caused or contributed to your injuries. In many cases, there are multiple parties who can be held accountable, which can further complicate matters. Our Gwinnett County personal injury lawyers will cover some of the basics here to give you a better idea of when you have standing to bring a lawsuit and who you may be able to hold accountable based on the specific circumstances of your case.

Can I Sue for a Railroad Crossing Accident?

If you have been involved in a Georgia railroad crossing accident that was not your fault, there is a good chance that you have standing to bring a personal injury lawsuit. In order to do so, you must be able to demonstrate that another party was negligent in causing your injury. Additionally, that party’s negligence must have been the direct cause of your injury. Finally, your physical injury must also have resulted in financial harm, such as medical bills or lost wages due to having to miss work for treatment or recovery.

Who is Liable in a Railroad Crossing Accident?

There are a number of potentially liable parties in a railroad crossing accident. Railroad crossings pose a significant risk to drivers and pedestrians, so they must be well-marked with visible safety signals, such as signs and flashing lights. However, there are still many areas where railroad crossings are poorly marked, the markings are not visible, or safety gates are not in place or are non-functional. All of these things can create bases for liability against the railroad company or contractors that they hired to design and maintain these crossings. In some cases, other drivers may also be liable. For example, if another driver rear-ended you (either intentionally or due to reckless or negligent driving) and forced you into the railroad crossing and into the path of the train, they could be held liable.

Contact Hawkins Spizman Trial Lawyers in Atlanta, Georgia

Serving Atlanta, Dunwoody, Alpharetta, Cobb County, Fulton County, Gwinnett County, Johns Creek, and Sandy Springs, Hawkins Spizman Trial Lawyers are ready to identify all liable parties and fight to get you the compensation that you are entitled to. If you or a loved one have been injured or even killed in a Georgia railroad crossing accident that was not your fault, contact Hawkins Spizman Trial Lawyers today to schedule a free consultation.

Source:

injuryfacts.nsc.org/home-and-community/safety-topics/railroad-deaths-and-injuries/