Indicators at railroad crossings can play a pivotal role in ensuring that drivers are aware when a train is coming. In some areas, these crossings may not be guarded, which could prove dangerous for drivers. Though truck accidents involving trains are not as common as accidents with other vehicles, if a truck driver is crossing at an unguarded railroad intersection, such an accident could occur.
A similar event recently took place in Illinois and led to a fatality. It was reported that a truck driver was attempting to travel through a railroad crossing when the truck was hit by an oncoming train. The accident took place just after 9 a.m., and the collision caused the front of the truck to be push approximately 100 yards before it came to a stop.
The driver of the truck was reported as being a 61-year-old male. Regrettably, that driver suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced dead a little over half an hour after the crash. It was noted that the crossing did not have gates, but there were signals in place. At this time, authorities are trying to determine whether those signals were working properly at the time of the accident.
Truck accidents that involve forms of transportation larger than the tractor-trailer itself are not as often reported as incidents with smaller vehicles. However, any incident that leads to a fatality should be handled with the utmost care and professionalism. If the investigation into this Illinois incident indicates that the crossing signals were not working or that the unguarded crossing otherwise played a role in the accident, the victim’s family may want to determine whether filing a wrongful death claim could be a viable option. Moreover, workers’ compensation death benefits are likely applicable as a result of the family due to the tragedy.
Source: journalstandard.com, “Rockford man killed in train-semi crash in Winnebago County“, Max Gersh, Dec. 3, 2014