Railroad Crossing Accidents

Arizona Personal Injury Attorneys for Railroad Crossing Accidents

Railroad crossings are a common sight in the Phoenix metro area and throughout Arizona, though most of us probably pay little attention to them unless we have to stop and wait for a train to pass. But railroad crossings can be extremely dangerous--there are some 5,800 vehicle-train collisions every year at railroad crossings, and these collisions cause over 600 deaths annually. More than half of these accidents are caused by inadequate or malfunctioning safety devices.

If you are involved in a collision with a railroad train, you need an experienced attorney on your side to ensure you receive proper compensation. At Solomon and Relihan, we have more than 30 years of experience helping accident victims in Maricopa County and throughout Arizona.

Causes of Railroad Crossing Collisions

Although some vehicle-train accidents are caused by negligent drivers ignoring safety devices, many others collisions involve safe drivers who have done everything correctly. The fault lies with the railroad company or a government entity, and arises from such problems as:

• Inadequate Safety Devices - Many railroad crossings, particularly in rural areas, have inadequate safety devices, such as lights, signs, and crossing guards. Some have no safety devices at all.
• Malfunctioning Safety Devices - Even if a crossing has adequate safety devices, they may still malfunction. The most common malfunction is for the crossing guards to not lower. Vehicles attempt to cross the tracks, thinking it is safe, and are hit by an oncoming train.
• Inadequate Train Maintenance - Inadequate maintenance may cause brakes or other parts of the train to malfunction, leading them to not stop in time to prevent an accident.
• Overloaded Cargo - The amount of cargo a train can carry is strictly regulated. If the train is over the required limit, this may cause the train to tip.

Solomon and Relihan begins every case with a thorough review of the facts and law involved to determine all possible causes of the collision and injuries. We can work with you to determine who and what was responsible for the harm you suffered.

Contact Solomon & Relihan, Arizona Auto Accident Attorneys

If you have been injured in a car-train collision, the experienced attorneys at Solomon and Relihan can help you. For a free initial consultation with a lawyer, contact our Phoenix law firm by e-mail or by telephone. For your convenience, home and hospital visits are available upon request.