• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer
Whiplash & Whiplash Injury St. Louis

Whiplash & Whiplash Injury St. Louis

  • Whiplash
    • What is Whiplash?
    • How Long Does Whiplash Last?
  • Symptoms
  • Treatment
    • Exercises
    • Physiotherapy
    • Surgery
  • Compensation
  • Car Accident
    • What to Do When You Get in a Car Accident
    • The Most Common Causes of Car Accidents
    • Wrong Way Car Crash
    • Why Hire a St. Louis Car Accident Lawyer?
    • Injuries
      • Brain Injury
      • Delayed Injuries
      • Head Injury
      • Leg Injury
    • T-Bone Accident
    • Uninsured Motorist
    • Who Pays My Medical Bills?
  • Blog

St. Louis Railroad Crossing Accidents

April 25, 2019 by Christopher

According to the Federal Railroad Administration, there were 143 cases of casualties related to railroad crossings in 2018 in Missouri.

When these cases happen, people are generally left with fairly severe injuries that require extensive medical treatment. These treatments are expensive, and you are left wondering if there is any way of getting compensation to cover them. But the question is, who do you file the claim against?

railroad crossing

Determining Liability

The only way to know who is responsible for these types of accidents is to take a close look at the details of the case. Your St. Louis car accident attorney can take a look at your situation and see who may be held responsible for the incident, generally by determining what caused it in the first place.

Possible causes of the accident can be:

1. Lack of or Defective Crossing Signals

It’s possible you tried to cross the railroad because nothing informed you of an oncoming train, such as gates or lights. These details can generally point the finger toward the people who are responsible for ensuring these signals work properly, most commonly the railroad company.

If that is determined as the cause of the accident, then it’s possible to demand compensation from either the employees in charge of the signaling devices or the company itself.

2. Other Negligence

Particularly in rural or remote areas, it’s possible there is no need for a gate, as there is not much traffic. However, trains should sound the horn once they approach a crossing, and failure to do so may be the cause of the accident. The area in question may also not be properly maintained, and elements like overgrown trees can make it difficult for drivers to see the train until it is too late.

Sometimes, these accidents are avoidable and drivers manage to get out of harm’s way just in time. But if they don’t, victims have the right to hold the responsible party accountable.

What Happens Next?

Determining who is responsible for the accidents requires some investigation. While these cases are often analyzed by the police, you can also contact a St. Louis auto accident lawyer and have them gather evidence on your behalf to see who may be held accountable.

Essentially, you have to prove a party is guilty of negligence, which is why the accident happened in the first place. However, in Missouri more than one party can be found responsible. During the proceedings, it’s possible for the other party to also claim you have part of the blame, because, for instance, you did not act in time to avoid the accident.

That is why you should consider working with a St. Louis car accident lawyer, as they can help defend you if such accusations arise, and prove the blame is on the other party.

Related Posts:

  • St. Louis Car Accident Attorney
    St. Louis Car Accident Attorney
  • St. Louis Car Accident Involving an Uninsured Driver
    St. Louis Car Accident Involving an Uninsured Driver
  • Semi-Truck Accidents - St. Louis Injury Attorney
    Semi-Truck Accidents - St. Louis Injury Attorney
  • The Importance Of Having Sufficient Car Accident Insurance Coverage
    The Importance Of Having Sufficient Car Accident Insurance…
  • St. Louis Car Accident in a Work Zone
    St. Louis Car Accident in a Work Zone
  • Whiplash After a St. Louis Uber Car Accident
    Whiplash After a St. Louis Uber Car Accident

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: liability

Footer

The Hoffmann Law Firm, L.L.C.
7751 Carondelet Ave UNIT 601
St. Louis, MO 63105
(314) 361-4242

Free Consultation Request

    RSS Car Accident Lawyer & Auto Accident Attorney St. Louis

    • 5 Safety Precautions to Take When Using a Rideshare Service
    • Memory Loss After Car Accident
    • 5 Ways Light Rain Increases the Risk of Fatal Car Wrecks
    • How Returning to Work Too Soon Can Affect Your Auto Injury Claim
    • 7 Reasons Insurers Offer Low Car Injury Settlements
    • How to Describe Your Pain Accurately to a Doctor after a Car Accident
    • Tips to Avoid an Auto Accident in Low-Visibility Conditions
    • 4 Tips for Recovering Financially After a Car Crash
    • What Is the Timeline for a Car Accident Settlement?
    • What’s the Difference Between Compensatory and Punitive Damages in a Car Accident Case?

    Copyright © 2022 The Hoffmann Law Firm L.L.C.
    The images included on this site are not actual attorneys, events, or clients. The choice of a lawyer is an important decision and should not be based solely on advertisements. The information you obtain at this site is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. You should consult an attorney for advice regarding your individual situation. We invite you to contact us and welcome your calls, letters and electronic mail. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship. Please do not send any confidential information to us until such time as an attorney-client relationship has been established. Attorney Chris Hoffmann handles car and truck accident claims throughout Eastern Missouri and Western Illinois. He represents injured clients in St. Louis, St. Charles, St. Peters, Clayton, East St. Louis, Alton, Hillsboro and Belleville, and other cities in St. Louis County, St. Charles County, and Jefferson Country, MO, and St. Clair County and Madison County, IL.