Who is responsible in a train and car collision?

Railroad companies, private corporations, and municipalities have a duty to maintain railroad crossings in order to keep drivers safe from collision. These safety measures can include:

• Crossing gates. These devices prevent passage across the tracks when a train is approaching the intersection. Accident reports show that these gates have a greater safety effect on drivers on private property while they are less effective at a public crossing. This likely is caused by driver impatience and the fact that people focused on getting to a specific destination will ignore the potential danger and drive around gates, often resulting in tragic consequences.
• Maintaining the area around crossings to provide a clear line of vision. Vehicles are less likely to attempt to beat a train if they have a clear view of how close the train is and how fast it is moving. Obstructions including trees, shrubs, and man-made objects may interfere with the line of sight and lead to a collision.
• Regular inspections. Many problems would be discovered before an accident resulted if the entity responsible for the crossing would make routine inspections that led to the identification and execution of necessary repairs.