Three New Orleans Train Accidents in 24 Hours Kill Two People

Three train accidents in New Orleans within 24 hours last month have heightened concerns over railroad safety. The accidents took the lives of two people in Jefferson Parish and Calcasieu Parish.

In Jefferson Parish, investigators think a 41-year-old woman attempted to drive around a railroad-crossing arm when an Amtrak train struck her Toyota Camry. Emergency responders pronounced her dead at the scene. A few hours later, another Amtrak train struck an 18-wheel truck in Slidell. There were no reported injuries in the second collision. The third train crash in Calcasieu Parish killed a woman when the train struck her as she walked along the tracks.

A Louisiana State Trooper added that it is not only illegal, but also dangerous, to drive around a railroad crossing arm. Trains have a long stopping distance and they can drag a car for a mile

In 2010, Louisiana ranked fourth in the nation in vehicle-train deaths. Safety advocates say that people tend to underestimate the speed of a train because of its large size. People fail to realize how fast trains travel until the locomotive is right on them.

Vehicle-train collisions can also occur when trees or other obstacles block railroad crossing signs and lights from drivers. Contact a New Orleans accident lawyer if you or a loved one suffers injuries in train-vehicle crash. A free case review with a New Orleans attorney will answer your questions about a fair financial recovery.