Texas Train Safety: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

Although train accidents are not as common as transportation accidents, when they do occur, they can result in serious injuries and fatalities. 

In 2020, over 1,900 railroad collisions occurred in the United States with over 190 fatalities. Because of these statistics, it is important that we follow train safety guidelines.

Learn the good, the bad, and the ugly of Texas train safety from your McAllen car accident attorneys at The Law Office of Bobby Garcia.

Railway Stats

Everything is bigger in Texas, including its railways. It should come as no surprise that Texas had the leading number of train crashes in 2020 with 191 collisions and 11 deaths. California was the second-highest with 150 crashes and 39 deaths. 

Unfortunately, the number of train crashes and train accident fatalities have been on the rise since 2010 with no positive improvements being made. This has drawn much attention to the railway system and the train safety that drivers must follow.

Train Safety For Drivers

Because Texas has been the leading state in train crashes for several years, awareness of train safety is more important than ever. In order to decrease the amount of Texas train crashes, there are safety guidelines that should be followed by drivers. 

These guidelines include the following:

• Slow down and look both ways before crossing railroad tracks. Ensure that your entire vehicle can safely proceed across the railroad crossing.

• Stop your vehicle at least 15 feet from the nearest rail if you see a train approaching.

• If the gates have lowered, do not drive your vehicle around them. 

• Double-check crossings with multiple crossroads to ensure that all tracks are clear before proceeding forward.

• If your vehicle stalls or stops on the railroad tracks, remove yourself and all passengers from the vehicle and away from the tracks. Call the emergency number listed on the railroad crossing or 911.

Being aware of the train safety guidelines can help drivers decrease the chance of a train crash and allow trains to safely clear the crossing. Train drivers have their own safety regulations to follow and both parties doing their part could greatly decrease the number of crashes each year.

Proving Liability In Train Accidents

Proving liability in a train accident depends on various factors such as the cause of the crash and the nature of the accident. The following parties may be held liable for your train accident:

• The railroad company

• Train operator

• Train manufacturer

• Train or track maintenance workers

• A government organization that owns or operates that railroad

• You as the driver of your vehicle

Even if the train accident was caused by an employee, the railroad company may still be held liable for the accident. You can also be held liable for a train collision if train safety guidelines were not followed. 

It can be difficult to know who should be held liable for a train accident due to the various factors that go into a train crash. An experienced car accident attorney can handle your claim and determine who should be held liable in your train accident. 

Get Justice For Your Train Accident With the Law Office of Bobby Garcia

If you or a loved one have been injured or suffered a fatality as the result of a train accident, then the at-fault party needs to be held liable. A dedicated Edinburg personal injury attorney can prove who should be held liable in your train crash and get you and your loved ones justice. 

Schedule a FREE consultation today with our car accident attorneys at the Law Office of Bobby Garcia to get justice for your train accident.