Mer Rouge, LA — Two men were hospitalized after a train crashed into a semi-trailer that had become stuck on the tracks going on Highway 165 on Sunday, October 5, 2014. The accident happened in Mer Rouge, Louisiana.
According to reports, Daniel Shackleford was driving his truck across 165 when he became stuck. Seeing that a train was headed toward him, he got out of his truck and fled. The train broadsided his truck, causing 17 cars along with two engines to derail.
Police referred to the driver’s truck as a lowboy, and have said that they’ve had problems with similar trucks in the past.
Two railroad employees — a conductor and an engineer — were hurt in the accident. The conductor suffered serious injuries, while the engineer’s injuries were not life-threatening, according to local authorities.
About 50 local residences were evacuated following the accident because of a fear that a pressurized tank of argon gas would explode. No other injuries were reported.
Scene of the Accident
Commentary
What’s important to remember here is that truck drivers have all the same duties that other motorists do, one of which is not getting stuck on train tracks. Furthermore, truck drivers have to go through several other steps when crossing railroad tracks. They have to come to a full stop, look both ways, stay in a single gear as they’re crossing, determine clearances, etc. If the truck driver had any idea that his truck could get stuck on the railroads tracks — and news reports make it seem as if he at least knew it was a possibility — it was his job to do something about it. The railroad employees were on the job when this happened, so as far as they’re concerned, this is going to be an FELA workers’ comp claim. That will provide for the workers’ most basic necessities, but will probably still leave them coming up short. So it’s important to remember that these two men, just like anyone else, have rights, and will be able to file a liability insurance claim against the railroad company.
— Grossman Law Offices
