Railroad Crossing Accidents

• Author: Larry Booth/Roger Booth
• Pages: 159-178

4-1 (Rev. 2, 11/13)

Chapter 4

RAILROAD CROSSING

ACCIDENTS

I. ELEMENTS OF CAUSE OF ACTION AND DEFENSES

A. Theories of Liability

§4:01 In General

§4:02 Typical Defendants

§4:03 Negligent Train Handling

§4:04 Dangerous Condition of Railroad Crossing

§4:05 Public vs. Private Crossings

B. Common Defenses

§4:10 Federal Preemption

§4:11 Compliance With Minimum State Standards

II. INTERVIEW AND INVESTIGATION

§4:20 Interview Witnesses and Victim

§4:21 Don’t Rely on Police Reports

§4:22 Interview Investigators and Officials

§4:23 Get Information on Prior Accidents

III. WRITTEN DISCOVERY

§4:30 Checklist of Information to Obtain

§4:31 Form: Interrogatories to Defendant Railroad (Owner of Track)

§4:32 Form: Interrogatories to Defendant Railroad (Owner/Operator of Train)

§4:33 Form: Requests for Production to Defendant Railroad (Owner of Track)

§4:34 Form: Requests for Production to Defendant Railroad (Owner of Train)

IV. DEPOSITIONS

§4:40 Whom to Depose

§4:41 Checklists for Deposition of Railroad Employees

Personal Injury Handbook 4-2

V. MOTIONS

§4:50 Demurrer or Summary Judgment Based on Preemption

VI. SETTLEMENT STRATEGIES

§4:60 Patience and a Strong Case Are Necessary

§4:61 Consider Settlement With Some Defendant or on Some Claims

§4:62 Form: Mediation Brief; Railroad Crossing Accident

VII. TRIAL PREPARATION

§4:70 Checklist of Experts to Hire

§4:71 Beating the “Blame the Driver” Defense

§4:72 Opening Statement

§4:73 Jury Selection

§4:74 Closing Argument