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Some statistics regarding Train Accidents in Los Angeles can be found below: Accidents with trains involving cars and pedestrians occur about once every 100 minutes in the United States. According to the NSC, National Safety Council, each year an estimated 4,000 train-vehicle collisions take place at railroad crossings leading to over 400 fatalities and more than 1,100 injuries.
Number of rail accidents and incidents in the United States from 2013 to 2018
Train Accident Statistics
– About 60 Americans lost their lives because of a train each week in 2014, which was up 17% over the year prior, representing the most fatalities since 2007. – 2014 saw the largest number of non-passenger deaths of individuals struck by trains 255 in the four decades the FRA has been keeping records.
- Half of all train crossing accidents in Los Angeles take place where automatic warning devices such as flashing lights or flashing lights with gates are present and are functioning properly.
- Many people simply neglect to stop and wait until the flashing lights are no longer in warning mode.
- According to the Department of Transportation, there are about 5,800 vehicle train crashes each year.
- 600 deaths and 2,300 injuries take place as a result of these accidents.
- More than 50% of all deadly accidents happen at crossings with passive or inadequate safety devices (often none at all!).
- Derailments, or the train coming off the track
- Train-train collisions, in which two trains are on one track that was not diverted
- Train-car collisions, often at railroad crossings when someone gets stuck on the track or tries to beat the train
- Train-person collisions in which a pedestrian is hit, often occurring at train stations when someone is standing too close or when a pedestrian is walking on train tracks
In 2017, 1 855 significant railway accidents were reported in the EU-28. A total of 977 persons were killed in these accidents, while another 763 persons were seriously injured. At EU level, the number of fatalities in railway accidents decreased gradually from 1 270 in 2010 to 964 in 2016. This level remained relatively stable in 2017, increasing by 13 fatalities (+1.3 %) compared to the previous year.How to avoid Train Accidents: There are many precautions and safety procedures one should take to be protected from a train. Below are some instances which can greatly increase the probability of a railroad accident.
- Aggressive driving: Most train collisions with cars are attributed to the aggressive operation of a car, such as speeding or trying to pass other drivers.
- A Trains Mechanical failure/negligence: This is usually the result of poor maintenance. The cost-cutting taking place on many railroad lines has lead to insufficient inspection and upkeep of many trains that are on the track today. Mechanics are sometimes insufficient and not properly trained, too.
- Heavy cargo loads: Loads that are heavier than industry standards can result in derailment and other accidents.
- Unsafe fencing and or warming: Many railroad crossings today remain in poor and often derelict conditions, leading to insufficient warnings of an oncoming train.
Trains are regarded as “common carriers”; thus, under common law and modern statute, railroad companies must maintain strict safety standards. Failure to do so leads to the companies assuming liability for the injuries caused. Amtrak accidents may involve Federal issues, which require precise and specific knowledge of Federal procedural rules and litigation avenues.
For further information, visit the Federal Railroad Administration page on Railroad SafetyTrain Accident Facts
The Federal Railroad Administration keeps a record of the number of incidents that occur in the railroad industry; this includes illnesses, injuries, and even deaths to railroad workers and train passengers. From January to September in 2010, there were more than 8,400 total train incidents, of which, more than 550 were fatal.