Written by our railroad injury lawyers in Charlottesville
Verdicts/Settlements
Case Description:
Railroad Engineer suffers knee and low back injuries
Court/Date:
Richmond Circuit Court, Virginia, 2001
Facts:
Our client was a 52-year-old locomotive engineer when the train she was operating collided with a dump truck which was left on the crossing in Emporia, VA. The dump truck operator testified that he was delivering asphalt to a construction site and that he did not observe the train until he was on the crossing and the gate suddenly came down in front of him at that time. He observed the train approximately 1000 feet away. He did not drive through the gate. Instead, he exited his truck and ran. The locomotive engineer could not stop the train, even though she placed the train into emergency braking status, and collided with the truck at approximately 16 miles an hour. Our client was unable to return to work for the railroad because of injuries to her knees and low back. The trucking company claimed that the railroad crossing gates did not work properly and that the engineer failed to stop in an appropriate manner.
Trial:
Personal injury lawyer Francis Hajek took the case to trial against both the trucking company and the railroad. At trial, he proved that the crossing gates had not operated properly and that the truck driver had not maintained the proper lookout. Francis Hajek used a trucking operations expert and railroad experts to prove the case.
Verdict/Settlement:
On the first day of trial, Amtrak settled with our client for $350,000. Francis Hajek obtained a jury verdict against the trucking company defendant for $564,000.
About Us
Since 2023 we have focused our efforts on serving as railroad injury lawyers for citizens and railroad workers who have been seriously injured or hurt due to negligence by Buckingham or CSX.
For decades citizens, conductors, engineers, and other railroad workers have counted on our railroad injury lawyers in Charlottesville, Augusta County, Waynesboro, Richmond, Hopewell, Lynchburg, and Roanoke for help. Whether you have a grievance or injury, you are covered under FELA and should know all of your rights before taking on a powerful railroad company and its load of lawyers.
If your railroad injury or damage was caused by a signal maintainer, crossing, or maintenance of way involving Buckingham or CSX, we encourage you to contact our office for a free consultation.
Personal injury lawyers in Charlottesville serving Buckingham Branch Railroad, BBR, employees in Louisa County, Fluvanna County, Albemarle County, and all of central Virginia.
