Pope & Howard, PC

Three Die at Poorly Protected Railroad Crossing

Three young adults from Austell travelling to visit a family in Toccoa were killed in a violent crash last Friday at 9:45 p.m, while crossing railroad tracks near the Summit subdivision in Toccoa, the AJC reports.  Stephens County Sheriff Randy Shirley said an Amtrak train was going 60 miles per hour when it T-boned the 2008 Mazda, pushing it 300 feet along the tracks before the car fell into a ravine and exploded.  Authorities found no indication that alcohol or drugs played a role.  The young adults, travelling at night, apparently did not see the train when they entered the unprotected crossing marked by a lone stop sign.  Under Georgia law, railroads are permitted to cross public roadways but in doing so accept the “duty to maintain such grade crossings in such condition as to permit the safe and reasonable passage of public traffic.”  Georgia Code Section 32-6-190.

Improper Roadway Maintenance Cases at Pope & Howard, P.C.

Pope & Howard, P.C. is experienced in handling matters arising from improper roadway and railroad crossing maintenance. According to the U.S. DOT, 5,800 vehicle-train crashes occur each year in the United States, most at railroad crossings. These accidents cause around 600 deaths and 2,300 injuries. More than 50% of the deadly accidents happen at crossings with passive or inadequate safety devices (often none at all!) While the precise circumstances of this crash and this railroad crossing are not fully clear, one has to wonder whether the railroad kept its end of the bargain.  Most railroad crossings at least have flashing lights automatically triggered as the train approaches.  The railroad’s decision to forego this relatively inexpensive safety device may have led to the deaths of these three young adults.

Related Articles

Buckhead Wrongful Death Lawyers

Cobb County Teen Dies After Pedestrian Accident

Six Killed Over New Year’s Weekend

OSHA Cites McDuffie County Company After Employee’s Death

Nanny Named Responsible for the Drowning Death of Two 5-Year-Old Girls

Woman Killed in Savannah Forklift Accident

Heavy machinery accident kills two in Atlanta

Chemical plant explosion in China kills fourteen workers, injures five

Infant is Crushed inside Stroller by Vehicle

Vermont Construction Worker Killed

19 People Killed in Georgia Over Weekend

Fatal Construction Site Accident at Georgia High School

Tragic accident in Fayetteville

Pedestrian Dies in a Tragic Hit and Run

Cancer Misdiagnosis and Medical Malpractice in Atlanta, GA

Pregnancy-Induced Hypertension Birth Injuries

How to Avoid Danger Zones Around Semi-Trucks

How Fault is Determined in Georgia Car Crashes

Common Medications Linked to Birth Defects

Caring for a Brain-Injured Child – Your Atlanta Area Medical Advocates

Hydrocephalus Birth Injuries – Atlanta Birth Injury Medical Malpractice Lawyers

How to Spot Deadly Brain Bleed in Atlanta, GA

Does Your Child’s Serious Playground Accident Merit a Personal Injury Claim in Atlanta, GA

How Defective Airbags Can Cause Serious Injury or Death in Atlanta, GA

How Social Media Can Impact a Personal Injury Case in Atlanta, GA

The Most Common Mistakes Teen Drivers Make on the Road – Atlanta, GA

Red Flags to Look Out for When Evaluating Nursing Homes in Atlanta, GA

How to Stay Safe Around Fireworks This New Year’s Eve in Atlanta, GA

How to Avoid Injuries at Home This Holiday Season in Atlanta, GA

Pedestrian Accidents, DUIs and More Halloween-Related Accident Risks in Atlanta, GA

Parking Lot Premises Liability Cases in Atlanta, GA

Common Apartment Building Accidents in Atlanta, GA

Negligent Security Lawyers in Atlanta, GA

Getting Video Proof in Car Accident Cases