Types of Train Accidents

There are many different factors that can lead to a train accident, all of which are serious and can forever impact the lives of passengers. Some of the most common types of train accidents that we see include:

• Railroad crossing accidents

  These incidents typically involve cars or trucks being stuck on the railroad, or pedestrians making poor choices and being run over. We also see people commit suicide by way of train, which can be incredibly emotionally traumatic for the train operators. Some of the common reasons for railroad crossing accidents include:
  • Defective signals
  • Malfunctioning gates
  • Failure to sound the horn when approaching crossings
  • Failure to use lights when approaching crossings
  • Trains parked too close to a crossing
  • Crossings obstructed by objects
  • Objects sticking out from the train
• Side impact collisions

  These types of accidents can cause the most widespread damage and destruction. In most cases, derailments occur because the operator failed to follow safety protocols. In addition to not adhering to safety standards, derailments may occur because of the following:
  • Faulty tracks
  • Operator distraction
  • Malfunctioning equipment
  • Too much or uneven cargo weight
  • Obstacles on the tracks
  • Objects protruding from the train
  • Non-collision – Not all train accidents involve a collision with another vehicle or a person. Sadly, we often see pedestrians and bystanders slip and fall under trains.

These are just a few examples of the common types of train accidents that we see.