Maryland Car-Train Accident Rate Holding Steady, Say Feds

The number of railroad accidents in Maryland that involved a train and a motor vehicle held steady at 13 accidents each year in 2008, 2009, and 2010, after falling from 18 accidents in 2007 and 16 in 2006, according to data collected by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). The types of vehicles involved in each accident also stayed basically the same, with passenger cars and pickup trucks being involved in most accidents, and vans, buses, and “other motor vehicles” being involved in fewer.

The number of fatal accidents also decreased significantly in 2010. While 2009 saw nine lives lost in Maryland car-train accidents, only two deaths occurred in 2010 as a result of these accidents. There were also fewer fatal accidents in 2010 than 2008, when four such accidents occurred, and in 2007, when five such accidents occurred.

Railroad accidents occurred most frequently in Baltimore County, with Prince George’s County and Harford County close behind. The counties with the fewest car-train accidents are Somerset and Worcester Counties, where such an accident has not occurred since 2007.

The FRA neither says why the number of car-train accidents has decreased in Maryland the past few years, nor how to ensure the continuation of this good trend. However, all drivers can help reduce their risk of suffering an accident by paying careful attention at railroad crossings and never attempting to “beat” a train across the tracks.

If you or someone you love has been injured in a train accident, the experienced Maryland personal injury attorneys at Alpert Schreyer can help. To learn more or to receive a free and confidential case evaluation, call 301-932-9997.