Southwest Kansas Railroad Accident Attorney

Railways are what trains depend on for a smooth and safe commute. Tracks that are regularly maintained and serviced are less likely to cause derailment accidents; however, faulty tracks are not the sole cause of derailment accidents. Other inciting factors include:

• Engineer negligence
• Improper switch alignment
• Debris on railways
• Undertrained train crews
• Broken rails

Railroad crossings exist where train lines cut through roadways. At such intersections, lights, signals, and gates are in place to warn drivers of an oncoming train to prevent life-threatening collisions. However, defects and misconduct often result in railroad crossing accidents. Common causes include:

• Failure to use lights when approaching a crossing
• Failure to sound horns
• Defective signals and gates

Train collisions can come in the form of train-to-train collisions and train-to-car collisions. The former often comes as a result of improper switch alignment causing head-on accidents. Train-to-car accidents occur at railroad crossings when drivers aren't notified of an oncoming train and also when drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists try to beat the train before it crosses. No matter who is at fault, victims are likely to endure serious injuries.

Train accidents can occur without a collision between the train and a motor vehicle. Individuals have become severely injured by getting caught in train tracks when walking along the railway. In some cases, trains have struck people who failed to hear them coming along. Regardless of how the accident occurred, people are likely to suffer severe injuries or death.