Meant to catch safety violators in the act, railroad drones, like those used by Union Pacific, are branded as safety hazards by the people they’re meant to watch. Many railroad workers are aghast at the drone activity aimed at monitoring for unsafe actions....
Image from an actual HMN case, reproduced with permission
Blog
Determining fault in an accident with a driverless car
Studies repeatedly find that human error is the cause of most car and truck accidents. The takeaway is that accidents are preventable, that a human caused the accident by doing something wrong. In legal terms, this is referred to as a negligent driver: someone who...
Are drivers still liable for a crash while on autopilot?
Vehicles are beginning to incorporate intelligent features, such as autopilot, and fully self-driving cars may one day hit the market. These new technological marvels could improve our lives in several ways.At the same time, there's no guarantee that the roads would...
Right turns hazardous for bicyclists
High numbers of people are taking up cycling and residents of the Bay Area are embracing the cycling movement as well. Whether for commuting, daily exercise or just for fun, bicyclists can increasingly be found on sidewalks and roadways. Sadly, bicycle fatalities are...
What is Positive Train Control?
With the recent Washington Amtrak derailment, the topic of positive train control (PTC) is once again forefront in conversations about rail safety.The train crash killed three men and left over 100 victims injured after derailing on a freeway overpass. The train was...
Railroad injuries and the FELA process
Most railroad injuries are the result of collisions or derailment. The catastrophic incidents hit the news, but smaller accidents happen regularly on the job site, injuries railroad workers. Bruises, fractures and burns are some common injuries that workers experience...
Do automated cars make for lazy drivers?
Human error has long been the leading cause of car accidents. In theory, this means that removing error-prone conditions should improve safety, which is one of the reasons why cars are becoming more automated each year.Relaxed drivers are less attentive Driverless...
Why railroad workers need underinsured/uninsured motorist coverage
Under the Federal Employers Liability Act, your railroad employer is required to provide a reasonably safe working environment. This is true whether you are working on your railroad’s property, a third-party owned industry yard, or any other place related to...