According to WJTV12, an accident between a train and a car in Jackson has resulted in one fatality. Police report that the train was heading eastbound when a vehicle heading southbound crossed the tracks and hit it.
The 44-year-old motorist died at the scene. Police are still investigating the cause of the crash.
According to MS News Now, a local organization called Mississippi Operation Lifesaver is using the collision to raise awareness regarding railroad safety.
Motorists have a responsibility to follow all traffic signals when approaching train tracks; however, rail operators must also follow certain protocols in order to prevent collisions. If you or someone you love sustained injuries in an accident with a train and you think the rail company is to blame, contact The Heilman Law Group.
Depending on the circumstances of the crash, you may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and non-economic damages. Call 601-914-1025 to schedule a consultation with a Jackson accident law attorney.
When Is the Railroad Company Liable for an Accident?
Railroad crossings are inherently dangerous, and pedestrians and motorists alike need to use caution when approaching them. For this reason, every state has its own laws for ensuring the public’s safety around railroad crossings.
In Mississippi, for example, motorists approaching train tracks must stop no less than 10 feet from the tracks if there is a clearly visible signal that a train is approaching. If a motorist ignores an obvious crossing gate and a collision results, he or should would shoulder the liability.
If there is no clearly visible signal or if it was obstructed, though, the rail company may be partially or entirely responsible for any accidents that occur. In addition to erecting active signs at crossings, rail companies must also maintain them.
Mechanical signals like crossing gates should always be in good working order, and electric signs that have flashing lights should always have working bulbs. The trains themselves should also be in good working order.
For example, some trains signal that they are approaching by blaring a whistle. If the whistle fails to sound because of a malfunction and this results in a collision, the rail company could be partially liable.
The rail company could also be at fault for a collision between their train and a car if they failed to maintain the tracks adequately or if their engineers were not using caution when passing through the crossing. Despite any posted signals, train engineers should still decelerate when passing through inhabited areas.
There are ultimately dozens of scenarios in which a railroad company could be liable for an accident with a passenger vehicle. If you or a loved one exercised caution at a railroad crossing but still sustained debilitating injuries, there’s a chance that the rail company is at fault.
To discuss your case with an accident law attorney and determine the best way to proceed, contact The Heilman Law Group. Call 601-914-1025 to schedule a consultation with a car accident attorney in Jackson. You can learn more about personal injury claims in Mississippi by visiting the USAttorneys website.
By John Nisbett | Published October 23, 2017 | Posted in Car accident | Tagged accident lawyer, Car accident attorney, Heilman Law Group, Jackson