Train Accident Statistics

The National Transportation Safety Board indicates that 60% of all crossing fatalities occur at unprotected crossings and that approximately 80% of all public railroad crossings are not protected by lights and safety gates. The most common types of railroad accidents are collisions with other trains, derailment, collisions with passenger vehicles, improperly maintained tracks, mechanical failure and driver inexperience and fatigue.

Here are some train accident statistics:

1. Every 90 minutes there is a train collision or derailment.
2. A train carrying hazardous material goes off the tracks approximately every 2 weeks in the United States.
3. Railroads are essentially self-regulated and do come under the close scrutiny of the federal government.
4. Rail companies continue to rely on technology that was developed over 70 years ago and very little effort has been made to update safety measures.
5. Local jurisdictions often have no control over the train travel in their area resulting in delays for local emergency response to catastrophic situations in the community. This basically means that the fire trucks will have to wait while a trans continental freight train passes!
6. More than 50% of all railroad accidents occur at unprotected crossings and, according to the Federal Railroad Administration, over 80% of railroad crossings don't have adequate warning devices.
7. Statistics may show that although "vehicle v. train collisions" have decreased in the last few years, "pedestrian v. train collisions" have increased.

If a loved has been injured in train accident, we can help. Call us now at 1-800-621-2020 or contact us.

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