Florida Train Accident: Tragedy in Plant City
A deadly train accident occurred in Plant City in central Florida near Tampa late last week, claiming six lives, including children, and leaving one other victim in critical condition. An SUV, approaching an intersection equipped with both a stop sign and a railroad crossing sign, ventured onto the tracks, colliding with an oncoming freight train. The group of family and friends were reportedly en route to a quinceanera birthday party for a friend, held in a home right across the train tracks. A witness stopped in his car at the same intersection tried unsuccessfully to get the SUV’s driver’s attention by repeatedly sounding his horn.
Police are still investigating the incident, trying to determine why the SUV’s driver went onto the tracks with a train approaching. While this was not a passenger train accident akin to the many Brightline train fatalities that have plagued South Florida since Brightline’s inception, it nevertheless highlights how deadly train crashes can be and why it is so important for motorists to be aware and operate their vehicles cautiously and safely around train tracks and train crossings.
Staying Safe Around Railroad Crossings
Trying to beat a train is never a good idea. If you’re in a car at an intersection with a train crossing, and the gates are down and the lights are flashing, wait! Don’t attempt to cross the tracks, even if a train isn’t visible. Regardless of your schedule or destination, passenger vehicles are not meant to withstand the impact of a moving train. The best way to stay safe at train crossings is simply to wait and let the train cross, even if it means being late to work or an appointment.
The Catastrophic Nature of Train Accidents
Railroad accidents often result in serious injuries or fatalities due to trains’ immense size & weight, high speeds, and potential for catastrophic outcomes in crashes. Even when a car is involved, offering limited protection against the destructive force of a train, victims of a train accident often experience horrific injuries or death. For those fortunate enough to survive, the devastating injuries from a train accident can lead to life-altering conditions, profoundly affective victims and their families forever. In addition to physical pain and emotional suffering, Florida train accident victims and their families face enormous medical costs, lost wages, loss of earning capacity, funeral expenses, and other economic losses.
Contact Schwed, Adams and McGinley, P.A.
At Schwed, Adams and McGinley, P.A., our experienced personal injury attorneys have more than 200 years of experience representing individuals who have been injured in Florida train accidents resulting in wrongful death or catastrophic injuries. Trains’ high speeds make them incredibly challenging to stop swiftly, particularly if railroad employees aren’t as vigilant as they should be. When train accidents occur, they often lead to serious injuries or death for those involved. If you or a loved one have been injured in a train accident, contact the experienced personal injury attorneys at Schwed, Adams and McGinley, P.A. today at 877-694-6079 or contact@schwedlawfirm.com to schedule a free consultation regarding your situation.