An at-grade rail crossing without functioning active warnings — flagged in the railroad's own inspection records — was the site of a catastrophic collision.
A motor vehicle was struck by a freight train at an at-grade crossing. The crossing's active warning devices had documented maintenance issues, and sight-distance studies established that passive warnings alone were insufficient for the approach geometry.
Railroad inspection and maintenance records — produced over objection — showed the crossing's warning-device issues had been logged but not resolved. Federal Railroad Administration standards and crossing-engineering testimony established the failure to upgrade given known traffic and geometry.
The plaintiff sustained catastrophic injuries including multiple orthopedic fractures and a moderate traumatic brain injury, requiring extensive surgical intervention and long-term rehabilitation.
A jury returned a $7.8M verdict against the railroad and crossing maintenance contractor.
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