Our railroad experts bring decades of engineering experience involving rolling stock/trains, stations and facilities, tracks, and other system infrastructure. As engineers, operators, and maintenance-of-way supervisors, our experts provide accurate and insightful assessments of the planning, design, construction, and inspection of rail systems and components.

Railroad Engineering Investigations

Our railroad experts are retained to evaluate economic loss claims and personal injury disputes related to railroad systems, equipment, and personnel. The scope of our casework includes vehicle collisions at grade crossings, passenger and railroad worker injuries, load securement issues, derailments, and maintenance and operations disputes involving:

• Regional networks, light rail systems, subways, and monorails
• Tracks, traction power, train control/protection, event data recorders, and equipment
• Passenger cars, locomotives, and other rail vehicles
• Stations, rail yards, and maintenance facilities
• Grade crossings , railway signaling, and crossing protection

Grade Crossing Investigations:

In grade crossing investigations, our railroad engineers are often tasked with answering questions, such as:

• Were corner sight distances adequate?
• Was the profile/condition of the road across the tracks within established criteria?
• Was the crossing properly marked?
• Were the crossing warning devices appropriate and did they operate properly?
• Should the train operator have seen the vehicle and stopped the train without impact?

Pedestrian & Passenger Investigations:

In pedestrian and passenger investigations, our experts are often tasked with answering questions, such as:

• Did the operation of the train or performance of equipment contribute to an injury?
• Were tracks and rail equipment properly secured from public access?
• Were there pedestrian protection devices that should have been present?
• Was the gap between the platform and car reasonable?
• Was the platform surface appropriately slip resistant and well maintained?

Often, additional areas of expertise are employed when evaluating injuries involving trains. Visibility and perception experts evaluate driver and pedestrian response to signs and warnings, and train engineer response to pedestrians or motor vehicles on the track. Meteorologists determine the impact weather conditions may have had on a collision and biomechanical engineers analyze injuries to reconstruct the event. Electrical engineers evaluate issues involving power device contacts, including “third rail”, overhead lines, and other power devices.

Railroad Evidence & Testing

Robson Forensic offers a fully appointed mechanical testing laboratory to assist our clients with the inspection and storage of evidence in railroad cases. Our lab facilities can accommodate large evidence items and are equipped to perform testing on a variety of electrical and mechanical devices. Visit our Mechanical Testing Laboratory page for more information.

Discuss Your Case With an Expert

Call or submit an inquiry to tell us about your case. Once we determine which expert is best qualified to assist, we will put you in direct contact.