The Florida Department of Transportation is planning to install fences around Amtrak train tracks in Seminole County after the death of two pedestrians in November. FDOT anticipates spending $300,000 to place a 6-foot high chain link fence around four miles of tracks that pedestrians commonly cross. The two separate incidents that instigated the fence project occurred when a pedestrian crossed the tracks and was struck by the train. If you were injured or lost a loved one in a railroad accident contact a Miami Railroad Accident Attorney.
The first fatal incident occurred in downtown Orlando when a man crossed the tracks in broad daylight. Despite the conductor’s best efforts at attempting to stop the train, the train struck and killed the man on the tracks. The Orlando police describe the incident as an apparent suicide.
The second death happened in Altamonte Springs, a town north of Orlando, when a woman crossed the tracks at night and was killed by an Amtrak train. Police are still investigating the matter and the cause of the accident has not yet been determined.
Now state officials are in the planning process of building a fence to prevent these kinds of tragedies from happening again. FDOT hopes to fast track the bureaucratic process to ensure the safety of central Florida residents as soon as possible.
Railroad Accident Cases
According to statistics from the Federal Railroad Administration, 482 people were killed in 2014 by trains while trespassing on railroad tracks, and 268 drivers and pedestrians were killed by a train while crossing at designated railroad crossings. While many train accidents are the fault of the pedestrian or driver crossing the tracks at grossly negligent moments, sometimes the railroad company can be at fault for not ensuring the tracks are safe.
Railroad accidents can occur for a number of reasons. These include:
- Inadequate warning devices around the tracks
- Train derailments
- Mechanical failures
- Human error
- Negligence by the conductor or train operator
Railroad companies can be held liable for large damages if they do not take extreme care with the safety of their trains.
In railroad injury cases the burden of proof lies with the plaintiff in litigation and railroad companies rarely admit fault for causing injuries or death. These cases can be extremely complex and burdensome from fighting with a large powerful railroad company. An experienced attorney is always your best bet to prove fault and receive damages for these types of accidents.
Contact a Florida Railroad Accident Lawyer Today
If you have been injured or lost a loved one in a railroad accident do not hesitate to contact the experienced lawyers at the Gerson & Schwartz P.A. Law Firm. We serve Miami-Dade and Broward County, helping people receive the remediations they deserve for any train related accident. Whether you were struck by a train or injured as a train passenger, we know how to get you the maximum damages for your injuries. All our cases are conducted on a contingent fee basis so there are no attorney’s fees unless we recover money on your behalf. Contact us today for a free consultation.