Residents of South Florida have been given a new way to get around (and avoid traffic) – the BrightLine Train system. BrightLine is a diesel-electric high-speed train system that presently travels across three counties – Miami-Dade, Fort Lauderdale, and West Palm Beach, with its sights set on Orange County. BrightLine is currently the only privately owned and operated passenger rail train in the United States.
Notably, it is against the law in Florida for drivers to stop their vehicles on railroad tracks and at railroad crossings. The Brightline Train, which debuted in South Florida earlier this year, has been involved in multiple accidents – including seven deaths – since it began its trial runs back in 2017. Four of the fatalities were ruled suicides and no Brightline trains have been cited to be at fault in the accidents.
Railroad Crossing Safety
Statistics show that a train hits a person in the United States about once in every three hours. While train-related accidents are more common than we think, there are ways to avoid these tragedies. There are several things you can do to keep yourself safe when it comes to crossing a railroad. These include:
- Pay attention to the railroad track crossings, including any sounds; not all trains run on set schedules
- Always yield the right of way to the train, as it is impossible for the train to yield the right of way to you
- Never ignore an active warning at a railroad crossing, as it is advising you that a train is coming your way
- Understand that trains will arrive at the railway crossing much faster than you think – act quickly
- Before you cross a railroad crossing, make sure there is enough room to get completely across
- When you are running from a car that is stuck on the tracks, run away from the tracks but at an angle in the direction of the oncoming train
- If a crossing has more than one train track, wait before crossing over as another train may be coming immediately after the first but on the second track
- Stay off of railroad property – this includes joggers, cyclists, hikers, people walking their pets and others – in order to remain safe”…[I]t is against the law in Florida for drivers to stop their vehicles on railroad tracks and at railroad crossings.
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Florida Personal Injury Help
If you or someone you care about has been hurt or tragically killed in a train accident or any other Florida accident, make sure to contact an attorney right away. The experienced personal injury lawyers at Bogin, Munns & Munns have fought for the injured across the state of Florida for more than 35 years, and are ready to seek the monetary compensation to which you may be entitled. Schedule an initial case evaluation with our lawyers at one of our convenient Central Florida locations.
NOTICE: The article above is not intended to serve as legal advice, and you should not rely on it as such. It is offered only as general information. You should consult with a duly licensed attorney regarding your Florida legal matter, as every situation is unique. Please know that merely reading this article, subscribing to this blog, or otherwise contacting Bogin, Munns & Munns does not establish an attorney-client relationship with our firm. Should you seek legal representation from Bogin, Munns & Munns, any such representation must first be agreed to by the firm and confirmed in a written agreement.
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