Helping Victims of Railroad Crossing Accidents

In the U.S., there are over 250,000 highway-rail grade crossings—places where public and private roads crossover railroad tracks at the same level.  While these areas are usually equipped with flashing lights or gates, railroad crossing accidents are all too common.  And when they occur, the personal devastation is catastrophic.

Here are statistics from the Federal Railroad Administration that tell just how dangerous highway-rail crossings are:

More shocking is the fact that for both years, railroad crossing accidents represented fewer than 20 percent of all train accidents, but accounted for more than 90 percent of the fatalities.

Experienced legal help for railroad crossing accident victims

At The Hershewe Law Firm, P.C., pronounced Hersh-way, we have over 30 years of experience defending railroad accident victims in Missouri, Arkansas, Kansas, Oklahoma, and nationally. Attorney Edward J. Hershewe and his wife Attorney Alison Hershewe lead a team of lawyers who are highly respected as aggressive litigators and tough negotiators on behalf of their clients, including railroad crossing accident victims.

Investigating RR crossing accidents

When a RR crossing accident occurs, it is followed by an investigation, often by federal and state officials as well as law firms representing the parties involved. Here are questions they ask to determine the cause of the accident:

• Was all safety equipment at the railroad crossing working properly?
• Did the locomotive have its headlight on?
• Did the engineer sound his horn or whistle as required by Oklahoma law?
• Did the railroad company and roadway owners maintain the highway-rail crossing as required by law?
• Were the tracks or warning signs obstructed from view by vegetation?
• Was Oklahoma railway law regarding speed limits at crossings obeyed?
• Was the train operator sleepy or impaired by drugs or alcohol?

Let the Hershewe Law Firm fight for you!

The Hershewe Law Firm, P.C. is a railroad accident law firm with a proven track record of favorable railroad accident verdicts and settlements.  And Edward Hershewe is the 2008 recipient of the prestigious Thomas G. Strong Trial Attorney Award.

The Hershewe Law Firm, P.C. has the skill and experience to fight the railroad companies and their insurers.  Call 877-382-9734 or contact us online today for a free consultation about your case.