Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Attorney Blog
A recent train accident in Pompano Beach took the life of a 31-year-old man.
According to the Broward Sheriff’s Office (BSO), the accident occurred near the intersection of Dixie Highway and NE 48th Street around 7:00 p.m. The man reportedly walked into the path of an oncoming Florida East Coast Railways cargo train. The red lights were flashing and the warning gates were down.
“The train engineer saw him and beeped the horn. He appeared distracted. We don’t know why at this point,” said Dani Moschella, a BSO spokeswoman. According to NBC6, Moschella adds that trains aren’t able to stop in time when the conductor sees someone on the tracks. Because they’re not able to stop, the warning lights and the gates are there to serve as warnings and to keep people off of the tracks.
Our Broward County injury lawyers understand that a person or vehicle is hit by a train on an average of every 120 minutes in the U.S. About half of these accidents happen at crossings where there are warning lights, signs and gates! Consider this: A 150-car train that’s going 50 mph will take over a mile to come to a complete stop. That’s why it’s so important for us to be cautious when traveling near railroad tracks.
According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, there are close to 6,000 vehicle-train accidents that happen each and every year in the country. Again, most of these accidents happen at railroad crossings. These kinds of accidents claim the lives of roughly 600 people every year. In addition to these fatalities, these accidents injure more than 2,000. During the daytime, about three quarters of train-car accidents involve a train hitting the car. During the nighttime, about half of these accidents involve cars running into trains at crossings that are not properly marked.
The lesson behind all of this is to be safe and always expect a train when you’re near train tracks.
Railroad Crossing Safety Tips:
-Remember that trains don’t run on a schedule. They can be on the tracks at any time.
-Always pay attention to railroad crossing warnings. Never overrule them just because you don’t see or hear a train.
-Trains travel faster than you think. Always allow extra room.
-Make sure you can get completely across the tracks before attempting to cross.
-Stay off railroad property and stay safe.
Freeman & Mallard is a personal injury and wrongful death law firm dedicated to helping those who have been injured. Call today for a free and confidential consultation. 1-800-561-7777.
Additional Resources:
Man Killed by Train in Pompano Beach: Broward Sheriff’s Office, by Gilma Avalos, NBC6
More Blog Entries:
Accident at Tri-Rail Crossing in Fort Lauderdale Kills Bicyclist, South Florida Injury Lawyers Blog, February 15, 2012
Fort Lauderdale Tri-Rail Accident Kills Pedestrian, South Florida Injury Lawyers Blog, January 13, 2012