Railroad Accidents

There were 13,000 railroad accidents last year according to the Federal Railroad Administration's Office of Safety Analysis. These accidents resulted in over 8800 injuries and over 850 fatalities. Close to one third of these accidents occurred at railroad crossings because of faulty warning signals and overgrown trees blocking the view of motorists approaching these crossings. Other types of railroad accidents involve derailments, equipment failures and collisions involving other trains, vehicles or pedestrians. Hazardous chemical leaks are often a by-product of a railroad accident leading to the evacuation of residents in the surrounding area.

The effects of a railroad accident are often devastating, resulting in property damage, catastrophic injuries and often deaths. Injuries suffered in a railroad accident often include traumatic brain injuries, broken bones, lost limbs and massive trauma to soft tissue. These injuries often lead to permanent disability and death.

Many factors can lead to railroad accidents including the failure to follow safety procedures, excessive speed, defective warning lights and gates at railroad crossings, driver negligence and driver fatigue.

If you live in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma or the surrounding area and you or someone you love was injured or killed in a railroad accident, please contact an experienced railroad attorney at Stipe Injury Law today to schedule a confidential consultation to learn about your legal rights and whether you are entitled to compensation.