A man from Mandarin died October 9 when his pickup truck collided with an Amtrak train in South Carolina, according to the Florida-Times Union. The collision occurred when the man was on a hunting trip and he attempted to cross the railroad track at the crossing gate at U.S. 52 in Florence County around 5:40 a.m. The Amtrak train was bound for Miami and the collision occurred between Columbia and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
Our sincere condolences are extended to the man’s family and friends.
Accident Statistics
The United States has 136,041 public railway at-grade crossings and only about 42,000 have gates; 22,039 have flashing lights, and 1,196 have traffic signals that include bells and warnings when a train approaches. According to the Federal Railroad Administration, Florida had 14 railroad track collisions in 2009 that resulted in 10 fatalities, and 19 injuries. At least 19 trespassers died on Florida railroad tracks, and 8 were injured. South Carolina had 41 collisions where roads and rail road tracks intersect that resulted in 6 fatalities, and 14 injuries. Additionally, 6 trespassers were killed on railroad tracks and 3 were injured in South Carolina.
Liability Issues
The news article gives no further information as to what may have contributed to this fatal Florida train accident. An experienced Florida personal injury attorney would want to know if the train used its warning horn and hit the emergency brake; if the lights, gate, and bells were working; and whether the man’s pickup truck stalled on the tracks.
Farah & Farah has been representing people injured at train crossings, whether on foot or in a vehicle for nearly 30 years. Let us ask the tough questions and launch a comprehensive investigation into your Florida personal injury accident.
