Derailments Pose a Hazard to Railroad Workers and Communities

Railroad workers face many hazards in their daily jobs. Derailments often occur without warning and represent one of the most significant dangers on the railroad. Recently, several cars turned over when a freight train derailed in Richmond.

The derailment occurred on the CSX railroad line near Scotts Addition on April 29. Officials said no hazardous materials were involved in the crash and no injuries were reported.

Derailments occur more frequently than many people believe. In any given year, about 1,200 derailments occur on America’s railroads, according to Vox. That’s about 23 derailments a week. While many of these are of a minor nature, causing only limited damage to cars, injuries can and do occur.

Derailments often occur at crossings following collisions between trains and other vehicles. In 2022 to date, 40 people have died and over 100 have suffered injuries in 384 grade crossing accidents, according to the Federal Railroad Administration.

Although America’s railroads are considerably safer than its highways, hundreds of people are killed every year in train accidents.

In 2020, 757 people died on the railroads, according to the National Safety Council. The figure was lower than 2019’s when 862 deaths were reported. Many of these deaths were reported in crossing accidents. Two employees were killed on duty.

In 2020, incidents on America’s railroads resulted in 5,479 injuries, compared to 7,983 in 2019. The NSC noted 2,960 nonfatal occupational railroad injuries.

Broken tracks are the most common cause of derailments. Although the maintenance of railroads has improved in recent years, tracks suffer considerable wear and tear. A broken rail caused a recent crash in Suffolk in Hampton Roads when eight cars derailed.

Broken rails and welds are more than twice as likely to cause train derailments than the second and third leading causes — the geometry of the track and the failure of bearings, according to the Federal Railroad Administration.

These derailments may be dangerous to workers, passengers, and communities. In 2015, a broken rail caused a fiery oil train derailment in southern West Virginia. Two inspections took place on the track prior to the accident. In 2014, a CSX train derailed in Lynchburg, Virginia, sending 15 cars into the river and causing a fiery inferno. Fortunately, no injuries were reported but the accident highlighted the hazards of transporting crude oil on trains through populated areas. Investigators have not revealed the cause of the recent derailment in Richmond.

Railroad workers who suffer injuries from derailments or other accidents on the job may make a compensation claim under the Federal Employer’s Liability Act (FELA). Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers has represented many workers who end up hurt in accidents on the railroad in FELA cases. Please contact our experienced railroad injury team or call 757-333-3333.