Personal Injury Law

Missouri teen survives railroad crossing accident

By Ryan Bradley, Esq.

Kendra Wood, 19, was involved in a serious injury accident over the weekend, but the outcome of the crash involving a Burlington Northern Santa Fe train could have been much worse.

According to local media reports, Wood was driving her Mercury Sable along County Road 161 after work. At approximately 4:15 p.m., she approached a railroad crossing without a gate and slowed to see if a train was approaching. Her vision was obstructed by the sun on the horizon and she failed to see the train speeding toward her. The front of her car had just crossed the tracks when it was hit and spun off the road into a ditch.

Wood was flown to Liberty Hospital for emergency treatment. Fortunately, the injuries were not life-threatening. Had she pulled forward even one more foot, this Missouri train accident could have been much more serious.

Railroad crossing incidents generally have very serious or deadly consequences due to the amazing forces involved. A fully loaded train can take up to a mile to come to a complete stop and any vehicles that get in the way are often completely destroyed. Motorists approaching railroad crossings should always be extra vigilant.

Unfortunately, even a careful driver can fall victim to a dangerous situation if certain maintenance issues are negligently ignored. Not every railroad crossing has warning lights or gates. In fact, the state of Missouri alone has over a thousand unprotected and potentially dangerous railroad crossings. To make matters worse, sometimes the railroad companies will allow shrubbery to grow around the crossing site which can obstruct the view of a driver. If you or a loved one has been involved in a railroad crossing accident and you would like to discuss your case to learn your legal rights, consult a Missouri personal injury lawyer.

Full post as published by Missouri Accident Lawyer Blog on November 15, 2010 (boomark / email).