Main Causes of Train Accidents According to FRA
Trains are very important to the development of countries. Train transports are very effective in transporting people and goods. However, despite its efficiency, it still causes accidents.
According to Federal Railroad Administration (FRA’s) Office of Safety Analysis, in 2010, 32 people were killed and 175 others were injured due to train accidents in California. It is relatively low, but it is a sign that train accidents still happen today. In the data released by FRA, the leading causes of train accidents in California are the following:
• Equipment failure Common equipment problems trains experience are broken or defective handbrake, defective on-board knuckle, and broken train air hose. If a vital equipment of a train is defective, it can start larger complications that may cause an accident.
• Highway-rail mishaps Many railroads share the road with highways. There are times when accidents and collisions occur when the highway road user unknowingly or deliberately disregarded the approaching train.
• Human error In California, there were four fatalities recorded in 2010 because of human error. Common human errors that cause accidents are failure to follow fixed signals, failure to control train movement, impairment due to drugs or alcohol, and failure to comply with speed limit.
• Track problems Securing the effectiveness and quality of train tracks plays a vital role in keeping train rides safe. Problems with tracks can cause major problems like derailment and collision. FRA pointed out common track problems such as irregular track alignment, broken rail base, irregular cross level tracking, and worn switch point.
• Miscellaneous Other reasons for train accidents are extreme wind velocity, fire or other forms of vandalism, signal difficulties like power switch failure, and defective loading chains.
In California, a train accident victim who was injured due to the negligence of the train operator or company has the right to file for compensation claim. Train mishaps can cause serious physical and emotional injury, which is why it is important to demand for financial compensation for the losses the accident has caused. Contacting a California train accident lawyer can greatly help in maximizing your chances of winning the personal injury claim.
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