Railroad Crossing Accidents
Railroad Crossing Accident Lawyers Serving Clients Nationwide
Railroad crossing accidents are much more common than most people realize. According to the Federal Railroad Administration Office of Safety Analysis, 2005 saw more than 3,000 collisions between trains and motor vehicles in the United States. And there were many other types of accidents, including trains colliding with pedestrians and passengers suffering from the train company’s negligence. Railroad crossings without any active warning (lights/gates) are dangerous – yet roughly two-thirds of all crossings are protected by nothing but a passive warning sign.
Many railroad crossing accidents result in deaths or very serious injuries, such as brain injuries and spinal cord injuries. And often, the accidents are due to negligence on the part of the train companies or employees. If you have suffered in a railroad crossing accident, the lawyers of Pottroff & Karlin, LLC can meet with you in a free initial consultation. We will charge no attorneys’ fees until you get compensation.
What Is Involved in Railroad Crossing Accident Litigation?
Railroads are responsible for passenger safety and can be held liable for injuries caused by elements in their control. In a railroad crossing, a railroad company and its train crew must use reasonable care to avoid injury to anyone traveling on highways crossed by the train tracks. This issue becomes complicated when one considers that it takes about one third of a mile to stop a train moving at an average speed. Hiring a railroad crossing lawyer who is familiar with the laws governing train accidents is crucial.
Leading Authorities in Train Accident Litigation
Pottroff & Karlin, LLC is one of the top railroad crossing accident firms in the country. We built our reputation by winning extremely challenging wrongful death and catastrophic injury cases involving train accidents. In one case, our lead attorney, Robert L. Pottroff, represented a train passenger injured because of the negligence of the train company. The verdict included $5.1 million in compensatory damages and $25 million in punitive damages, for a total of more than $30,000,000.00.
Mr. Pottroff is known nationally and internationally as an authority and leading practitioner in the fields of railroad, highway, and grade crossing as well as an outspoken advocate for the rights of victims and as a proponent of railroad safety. He lectures frequently on a variety of topics including:
- Railroad crossing litigation
- Investigation and discovery
- Cross examination
- Forensics evidence
- The use of innovative technologies for litigation
His skill and reputation has brought him countless awards, including the honor of being named president of the Kansas Trial Lawyers Association.