Minnesota Railroad Crossing Accident Attorney
Injury Claims in Railroad Crossing Accidents in Minnesota
Railroad crossings are very dangerous places. Anyone going over a railroad crossing must take extreme caution to ensure no trains are coming. Even when the gates are up, the bells have stopped ringing, and the electric signals have stopped blinking, this doesn't mean you don't need to pay attention before going over a railroad crossing.
Trains are very heavy and when they get going, they travel with extreme momentum. It is ideal for the engineer to put the brakes on at least a mile before stopping the train, but when an obstacle, such as a motor vehicle is suddenly in the way, it is hard, if not impossible, for the train to be able to stop in time. If you or a loved one has sustained a serious injury during a railroad crossing accident, you must consult with a Minnesota personal injury attorney from Heimerl & Lammers immediately. We will review the accident report for your case, research track maintenance and other railroad records, answer your questions and help you determine the best course of action to take.
A key in preventing railroad crossing accidents is the proper maintenance and care of railroad crossings. Making sure electric signals and gates are in working order, as well as increasing the frequency of railroad crossings, can help significantly decrease railroad crossing accidents. Of course, the train engineer also plays a role in preventing railroad crossing accidents by keeping an eye out for vehicles, pedestrians and other obstacles.
The most common type of railroad crossing accident is colliding with a train. Other causes of railroad crossing accidents include:
- A railroad crossing not properly marked
- A railroad crossing which does not have safety gates
- A train engineer who does not or did not sound the warning whistles before reaching a crossing
- A railroad crossing which has not been properly maintained
- A mechanical failure of defect
- A driver who is inexperienced or severely fatigued.
If you have been in a railroad crossing accident and have sustained bodily injuries or damages, due to no fault of your own, you may have a legal claim against the railroad. We work aggressively to protect your rights and build you a strong personal injury case. We believe you should not have to pay for injuries and damages you sustained in an accident where you were not at fault.
Injury Lawyer in Minnesota
Railroad crossing accidents can result in all types of injuries, from very minor to the extreme cases involving a loss of life. Wrongful death is not uncommon when it comes to a railroad crossing accident. That is why, with over three decades of experience representing clients in their personal injury cases, our firm is who you want representing you. We fight hard and we believe in protecting your interests. We take the steps necessary to help you determine fault and bring a lawsuit against the responsible party.
If you or a loved one has been involved in a railroad crossing accident, we advise you contact a Minnesota railroad crossing accident lawyer at our firm as soon as possible so we can rapidly assess your case and legal needs.