Child Injury Lawyer Blog
By J. Rock Palermo, Attorney, Roy S. Dickinson, Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
Railroad crossings can be quite dangerous especially ones without lights and gates to warn or alert motorist of the approach of a train. There are thousands upon thousands of railroad crossing areas that are not properly equipped with gates and lights. Without such safety precautions and due warning to drivers, deaths and personal injuries related to train / automobile accidents continue to take place in Louisiana and other States. Train industry experts opine that railroad lights and gates are at least 90 percent effective in preventing railroad / train accidents with automobiles. Often times, railroad companies do not take any action until they are required to or until they get some kind of federal or public assistance to fund these basic and necessary railroad safety precautions.
In Australia, an amazing video captured a near tragic incident involving a train and a baby in a baby stroller / carrier. Video footage from the station’s security camera captured this incident. It is truly incredible that the baby only suffered minor injuries. The baby, who was only 6 months old, somehow avoided serious personal injuries. Any parent watching this video should take notice and make sure that children are safe and away from the dangers of moving trains, buses, and cars when children are in public. This incident resulted when the mother took her hand off the stroller for just a moment or so. It shows how incidents can take place in just a few seconds. You can read more about this incident and see the video footage at
In Massachusetts and other states, operators of public transportation vehicles like buses and trolleys are using their cell phone and mobile phones on the job. What’s wrong with this? Everything is wrong with this if the use of the cell phones / mobile phones distract the drivers and cause serious accidents involving personal injuries and, in some instances, death. Text messaging and e mailing from cell phones / mobile phones are especially dangerous acts. The driver / operator’s eyes are on the cell phone / mobile phone screen rather on the road and traffic. This in turn, puts the people in danger including the trolley passengers, pedestrians, other motorists, and bicyclists.
The State of Oklahoma recorded 832 train related personal injuries during the years from 2000 to 20007. Tulsa County, Oklahoma led all Oklahoma counties with 14 personal injuries per year. Most injuries (including those to children) are minor which include bruises and sprains. However, some injuries were devastating and even resulted in deaths of adults and children. Some injuries involved crushing type of injuries and there were 17 reported amputation type of injuries. Almost 150 railroad related deaths occurred in Oklahoma alone during this time period.