A fatal train crash has occurred—this time in Valhalla, New York. Six people were killed and another 15 injured when a commuter train smashed into an SUV that was stopped on the tracks at the crossing. According to officials, the “electrified third rail on the tracks became dislodged after the impact and pierced the floor of the front train car.” Almost 400 feet of track will need to be replaced. The investigation into what caused the crash is currently underway by both state and federal officials.

Railroad Crossing Accident Causes

One of the most tragic, and often avoidable, fatal accidents are those that occur at railroad crossings. The impact of a train slamming into a car at a crossing has been compared to the impact of a car crushing a tin can. In the U.S., every 90 minutes a train and vehicle collide. Every year, there are approximately 250 people killed and another 1,000 seriously injured in railroad crossing accidents.

Many of these accidents are often caused by a vehicle driver attempting to get around the gates of the crossing, or through flashing lights which signal that a train is coming through. By law, drivers are required to stop when these warning signals are in place. Most of these crashes occur within 25 miles of the vehicle driver’s home.

However, it is not always an impatient driver who is at fault in these accidents. Statistics from the Federal Railroad Administration reveal that more than 80 percent of railroad crossings have inadequate warning signals, leaving drivers completely unaware that a train is approaching.

The consequences of train/vehicle accidents can have a dangerous ripple effect. Many of these crashes result in the train derailing off the tracks which greatly endangers the passengers. There are also dangers when the involved train is a freight train. Many freight trains transport hazardous cargo, which can put an entire community in danger if the toxins are exposed to the atmosphere in a crash.

Contact a Westport Wrongful Death Attorney

If you have lost a loved one in a train or vehicle accident, please contact an aggressive wrongful death attorney in Westport, Connecticut to discuss your case and determine what legal recourse you may have against those parties whose negligence were responsible for your family’s tragic loss.