Witnesses testifed that a woman pushed through the gates with her car and stopped on the tracks. Seconds later, she and her two grandchildren were killed. The crooked lawyer for the deceased family claims there should have been some sort of warning system to alert the on-coming train and that the gates should have lifted to allow the woman to drive off the tracks.
What bunk! The crossing gates are not designed to hold back any vehicle. They are merely a warning system. All you have to do is step on the gas and you can drive right through a gate. Of course, you will break the gate and damage your car, but the gate will not hold you on the tracks.
The woman is clearly at fault since she puhed her way onto the tracks with the crossing gates lowered.
Where do they find these juries and judges who would side with someone’s stupid actions that cost them their life?
In the old days, accidents like this would be publisized to teach other’s not to do such stupid things.
Personally, I think they should tar and feather the lawyer. Deep pockets is a sorry excuse for going after the railroad and anybody else with money.