Maine Injury Lawyer Blog
Officers recently responded to the scene of a fatal accident involving a Pan Am Railways freight train and a pedestrian. According to Bangor Daily News, the accident happened just before 8:00 p.m. Officers were forced to shut down a section of Forest Avenue — the part that runs from Walton Street to Woodford’s Corner.Officers received a report that a pedestrian was struck by a freight train at that crossing. They haven’t identified the pedestrian.
Our Portland injury lawyers understand that there were close to 2,000 railroad accidents at public and private crossings in the U. . in 2012. Of these accidents, there were close to 300 people killed, according to Operation Lifesaver. In addition, there were another 950 people injured in these accidents. Did you know that there are more than 210,000 railroad crossings, approximately 129,644 intersect with public roads in the United States?sAbout every 90 minutes, there is a train derailment or a train collision. Currently, railroads are self-regulated and fall under the scrutiny of the federal government.
About half of all railroad collisions occur at unprotected crossings. The Federal Railroad Administration reports that about 80 percent of all railroad crossings do not have the proper warning devices.
State and local governments are responsible for the installation of active warning devices at grade crossings (such as flashing lights and gates), as well as passive devices like stop signs and yield signs. In fact, railroads cannot install highway traffic control devices on public roads without the consent and permission of appropriate government authorities.
Pedestrian and bicycle fatalities at highway-rail and pathway-rail crossings have remained constant over the past 10 years, in contrast to a marked decrease in vehicle collisions with trains.
Railroad Crossing Safety Tips for Pedestrians:
-Stay Off, Stay Away, Stay Alive. Walking or playing on railroad tracks or the right-of-way on either side of the tracks is trespassing. It is illegal and can be deadly.
-Find the safest place to cross. Stay off of private property. Not only is it dangerous, but you could be fined or even arrested.
-Remember that trains cannot swerve or stop quickly. Passenger trains traveling 80 mph take about 2,200 feet to stop or the length of seven football fields.
-Keep an eye on the crosswalk sign. Always cross at this area. Use only designated crossings. It’s legal and it’s the safest.
-If you see a train coming — WAIT!sNever try to outrun a train. If you’re involved in an accident with a train, the train will always win. Wait until the train has passed and the signs have retracted before attempting to cross.
-It’s important to remember that trains can move in either direction and they can move at any time. They don’t always run on fixed schedules. Sometimes their cars are pushed by locomotives instead of being pulled, which is especially true in commuter and light rail passenger service.
Contact the experienced injury lawyers at Peter Thompson & Associates if you or your child has been injured in an accident. Call 1-800-804-2004 for a consultation to speak to an attorney about your case.