Skip to Main Content
Railroad News

Two Sanitation Workers in Alabama Seriously Injured at Dangerous, Unguarded Norfolk Southern Crossing

By Pottroff & Karlin LLC |

(Saraland, Alabama – April 1, 2016)

Two employees of Advanced Disposal Company were hospitalized last Friday afternoon shortly after 2:00 P.M., EDT after the garbage truck one was driving was struck, overturned and virtually destroyed by a Norfolk Southern freight train.  The collision occurred at the dangerous, unguarded and heavily-obscured crossing of Ferry Avenue and NS railroad tracks in the Alabama community of Saraland. News media sources were fielding concerns from area residents over safety matters.

“Nearby residents say it’s a dangerous intersection,” reported Fox 10 News Reporter Christian Jennings. “The crossing has stop signs but no crossing arms.” Meanwhile, video footage from several TV stations revealed heavy tree forestation creating an extremely difficult line of sight and sight triangle for motorists approaching the crossing. The crossing accommodates half dozen NS freight trains that travel through the crossing daily at a top allowable speed of 49 mph.

Further compounding the problem is the fact that the crossing lacks any form of active warning devices, such as lights and gates. It is virtually certain that if this crossing was equipped with lights and gates, this collision would not have happened. Both NS and Operation Lifesaver all know that lights and gates are the most effective type of protection at railroad crossings. Studies that have been conducted over fifty years ago confirm that lights and gates offer the ability to drastically reduce the number of vehicle/train accidents by as much as 96%.

The unidentified driver was airlifted to the University Of South Alabama Medical Center in Mobile, AL, while the passenger was taken by ground ambulance to a local hospital.

Local residents of a cross-track subdivision who must use Ferry Avenue for the sole access to and from their homes were not happy.  “I just think that it is really bad that the railroad does not have the arms and the flashing lights,” resident Rachel Dickson told Channel 5’s Jacqueline Quyah, pointing out that the crossing is used by four school buses every school day, and that, while it is not only the sole access road to their homes, adjacent crossings are equipped with crossing gates and flashing lights.

Another resident, Jessica Taylor, told WALA-TV that the accident “sounded like a bomb. It rattled mine and my mom’s house. We live on the road right up from the railroad tracks and we heard it when it went off right here at the entrance, but it took a minute to stop.”

Scattered trash from the fully-loaded refuse truck was scattered for yards along the railroad tracks. “I heard a screech like it (the train) was trying to put on the brakes, like it was trying to avoid it,” recalled witness John Prentice, another resident of the subdivision. “Then a big thud. That was it!”

Federal Railroad Administration records say that Friday’s crash was the fifth to occur at the Ferry Avenue/NS Railway intersection, and the second to result in injury to crossing users. 


sb-news-bg

Railroad News



Testimonials

Train crash cases are unique and complex with many different potential pitfalls, such as federal preemption. Anytime I get hired or even get a call from a train crash victim, my very first call is to Nathan’s firm. Nathan’s knowledge and experience in handling and trying cases against these litigation savvy railroad companies gives me the confidence to know that the clients and cases I refer to him are getting the best of the best.

James Perrin Lubbock, Texas

I have had the opportunity to work as co-counsel with Nathan on several railroad crossing accidents cases. In each case, Nathan always possessed an incredible knowledge of the law and the facts, possessed a great talent for aggressive - strategic legal planning and trial tactics while, at the same time, displaying great skill as an effective negotiator. I would recommend him to anyone without hesitation.

Scott McCluen Harriman, Tennessee

Nathan Karlin has my strongest endorsement in the field of railroad crossing cases and personal injury law. I had the pleasure of working with Nathan in a complex railroad personal injury case. I was impressed by Nathan’s knowledge, his work ethic, and his dedication to the client. I look forward to working with Nathan on future injury matters. I am also aware firsthand that he has obtained excellent trial and settlement results in numerous cases involving members of the public harmed by railroad companies.

Joseph M. Miller Mandeville, Louisiana

Nathan is a warrior fighting the railroads. As a fellow personal injury lawyer, I have constantly been impressed with his depth of knowledge and his capabilities from case to case. I’d take him into battle with me any day against the biggest railroads and insurance companies on the planet.

Jon C. Clark Austin, Texas

Bob Pottroff has fought for the victims of the railroads’ callous disregard for safety more than any other attorney that I know. I should know because I am currently Chair-elect of the Railroad Section of ATLA.

Robert Schuetze Boulder, Colorado

Mr. Pottroff has shaken the rail industry to its very roots. Settlements are now more common as a result of the way he has exposed the industry’s wrongdoing.

Mike Easley Arkansas

Bob Pottroff’s work in railroad safety law is unmatched and he has been the source of great advice and phenomenal creativity.

Roger Brown Jefferson City, Missouri

In addition to his substantive contributions to railroad grade crossing safety, I have personally observed his untiring efforts and contributions to improving the integrity of the legal system.

Elizabeth Hardy Lake Charles, Louisiana

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 6
  • 7
  • 8
Testimonials