Federal train accident prediction site launched
On behalf of Jeffrey Frederick of Frederick & Hagle posted in Train Accidents on Friday, July 26, 2013.
Car accidents are unfortunately common occurrences. They are depicted through news sources if the results are tragic and many more are left unheard about if they are relatively minor. One type of accident that is less common and tends to always make headlines is train accidents. A train accident is a horrific event that can cause grave damage and injuries. Though they occur much less often than car accidents, it is still important to be aware that they do happen from time to time.
The Federal Railroad Administration has recently launched a website that will help predict where a train accident is most likely to occur. Anyone interested has the ability to visit the sight, select a state such as Illinois and view prediction reports. It was noted that even those areas listed in the highest ranks of having a possible collision have very low ‘prediction values.’ This means that even though an accident could occur there, the event is still unlikely.
Illinois residents should not be strangers to the presence of trains as the state has the second-largest train system in the United States. Accidents with trains do happen occasionally as there are sometimes faulty railroad guards that may not properly alert a driver to an oncoming train, and there is always room for engineer error that could potentially lead to an accident. Though the likelihood of an accident is low, drivers should still pay close attention while at railroad crossings.
Should someone be involved in a train accident, the results can be devastating. Trains are much more powerful than automobiles and can cause immense wreckage and even death. This type of accident can differ greatly from a car accident with another vehicle and determining the cause can take more time. If someone is involved in a train accident, they or their family members may wish to look into personal injury or wrongful death laws in Illinois to determine if they might be entitled to compensation for damages resulting from such an accident if the railway company could be deemed at fault.
Source: NBC Chicago, “Get Accident Predictions for Rail Crossings Near You,” Megan Joyce, July 10, 2013
