Train derailments can be frightening and devastating events. When a multi-ton locomotive leaves its tracks at high speed, the results are often catastrophic, leading to injuries, fatalities, and extensive property damage. For those affected by a train derailment, it is important to understand what causes these accidents to prevent future tragedies and pursue justice.
What Causes Train Derailments?
There are several potential causes of train derailments:
Track Defects
One of the most common causes of derailments is a defect in the track infrastructure. Broken or warped rails, improper rail joints, damaged crossties, and unstable track foundations can all contribute to a train leaving the tracks. Even small imperfections like dips, buckling, and splitting over time can lead to disastrous consequences.
Rail wear and cracking occurs through regular use, weathering, and accumulated stress. Joint bars connecting sections of rail can also loosen. Wooden crossties deteriorate with rot and insect damage. The ballast underneath may settle unevenly, leaving the rails tilted. Proper track maintenance and replacement of worn components at regular intervals is essential to prevent these defects from occurring.
Modern technologies like ground penetrating radar can identify substructure issues before they become apparent. Detailed track geometry inspections and crack detection tests should be performed periodically. Sufficient funding and staff must be allocated for comprehensive track maintenance.
Equipment Failure
Faulty wheel bearings, broken axles, brake malfunctions, and other mechanical defects in the trains themselves can also lead to derailments. Wheel bearings help reduce friction but wear out over time. Undetected hot bearings can seize up and lock wheels, throwing them off the track. Steel axles also crack under repeated stress.
Air brake lines and valves are vulnerable to leaks and breaks. Malfunctioning brakes can lead to longer stopping distances or wheel lockups. Electrical system failures in engine units or signals between cars could also contribute to a crash. Proper inspection and maintenance of all trains and railcars is vital to avoid equipment-related derailments.
Modern condition monitoring technologies like hot box detectors along tracks can automatically identify overheating bearings before failure. But regular hands-on inspections by qualified personnel are still essential. All trains should adhere to recommended preventative maintenance schedules for components.
Operator Error
Mistakes by the train crew, such as excessive speed, failure to stop at signals, improper use of brakes, or inattention, are also preventable causes of derailments. Speeding decreases the margin of error if a track defect or obstruction is encountered. Missing warning signals risks collisions or derailments. Improper braking can lead to wheel lockups or skids. And operator fatigue or distractions impair reactions.
Adequate training and oversight of train operators reduce this risk. Simulators and periodic recertification tests help develop expert situational awareness and response skills. Ensuring reasonable work hours prevents fatigue. Cameras and data recorders also help enforce safe operating practices. But human mistakes can never be eliminated entirely.
Obstructions
Objects on the tracks like fallen trees, landslides, equipment, vehicles, or even livestock can also derail a moving train. Tree limbs or debris from storms are common obstructions. Nearby construction equipment may inadvertently breach fence lines. Cars can stall at crossings. And animals often wander onto tracks. At high speeds, trains typically cannot stop in time to avoid obstructions.
Regular monitoring and maintenance along rail lines by work crews identifies potential obstructions before an accident occurs. Technologies like track intrusion detection systems, ground surveillance radars, and thermal cameras can also automatically alert operators. Prompt emergency braking when obstructions are spotted reduces risks. But train crews must remain continuously vigilant.
Hazardous Weather
Heavy rain, flooding, high winds, extreme heat, and winter storms can all contribute to track instability and unsafe conditions. Heavy rains may wash out underlying ballast and undermine the track structure. Flooding can physically sweep trains off tracks. High winds buffet and topple trains. Cold temperatures also cause steel rails to contract and potentially crack under stress. And snow or ice make tracks slippery.
When severe weather is forecast, train operators need to respond by slowing speeds or suspending service altogether until conditions improve. Weather sensors along the track provide advance warning to control centers. Geographic information systems help identify vulnerable sections of track that may require speed restrictions during storms or cold snaps. Being proactive is key to limiting weather-related derailments.
Consequences of Train Derailments
The effects of train derailments depend on factors like speed, location, cargo contents, and crash dynamics, but frequently include:
Injuries and Fatalities
When passenger trains derail, riders can be thrown about violently inside cars as they flip and crush. Interior fittings and shattered glass can yield lacerations and blunt force trauma. Crew members and unsuspecting bystanders are also at risk of being struck by derailing cars. Resulting collisions, fires, and smoke inhalation pose further dangers.
Injuries range from minor cuts and bruises to debilitating trauma with lifelong effects. And fatalities are tragically common in bad wrecks. Better safety measures and crashworthy train car designs help limit injuries when derailments do happen. But the devastating consequences remain.
Hazardous Material Releases
Many freight trains transport dangerous chemicals and gases like crude oil, ethanol, chlorine, ammonia, acids, pesticides, solvents, propane, and even radioactive materials. When their tank cars are breached in a derailment, the results can be catastrophic. Explosions and fires often occur, sometimes burning for days and causing extensive property destruction.
Toxic fumes and vapors emitted can be deadly for those nearby and linger to threaten first responders. Chemical spills also leach into surrounding soil and waterways, creating environmental disasters. Just a few gallons of certain toxins can render entire water supplies unsafe. Proper tank car safety features, tracking of shipments, and emergency response preparations are crucial to limit these hazardous material releases.
Infrastructure Damage
When massive trains jump the tracks at speed, they often collide with electrical lines, signals, platforms, buildings, and other infrastructure. Entire railcars can pile up in chaotic wreckage, crushing everything around them. The disrupted tracks themselves may be severely twisted or blocked with debris.
Signals, switches, bridges, tunnels, and rail crossings are also vulnerable to damage in derailments. The chaos causes extensive repairs before normal rail traffic can resume. Cleanup of hazardous cargo spills creates further complications. And collateral effects on utilities like electricity and communications hamper response efforts. The cost of infrastructure damage regularly reaches millions of dollars per accident.
Legal Recourse for Victims
If you or a loved one are harmed in a train derailment, contact our personal injury law firm for a free consultation. An experienced attorney can investigate the causes of the crash and pursue compensation for your economic and non-economic damages from any negligent parties. Acting quickly helps ensure all evidence is preserved. Though no amount of money can undo this trauma, holding responsible parties accountable may prevent future derailments. With compassion and expertise, we can help you secure the justice you deserve and take one less burden off your shoulders.
Call us today on (818) 659-8588 for a free consultation.
Or visit our office at 16633 Ventura Blvd. #602 Encino, CA 91436.