Skip to Main Content
Railroad News

Nebraska Woman Hit by Train and Seriously Injured at Dangerous, Unguarded UP Crossing

By Pottroff & Karlin LLC |

(Gibbon, Nebraska – January 4, 2013)

An as-yet unidentified female from rural Shelton, NE was airlifted to a Kearney, NE hospital Friday afternoon at about 3:50 P.M. after she attempted to cross Union Pacific Railroad tracks at the dangerous, unguarded Sod Town Road intersection two miles east of Gibbon, NE in her Dodge pickup truck, which was split in half by the impact with an eastbound UP freight train and the cab dragged nearly half a mile with the victim still inside.

U.S. Highway 30 parallels UPRR tracks through the area and the Sod Town Road crossing is less than 100 feet north of its oddly-angled intersection with the railroad tracks, and traffic on the highway had to be shut down to accommodate the Good Samaritan Air Care helicopter’s landing before it rushed the woman to Kearney Good Samaritan Hospital for treatment of what were described as “significant” injuries.

The Sod Town Road/UPRR crossing has only standard, passive railroad crossbuck and highway “stop” signs in place to protect motorists from the more than four dozen trains that utilize the double-tracked intersection with the narrow, gravel-surfaced road daily at top speeds of 40 mph. The absence of crossing gates, bells and flashing lights was just as glaring an omission as it was a little over six months ago, when a collision at the same intersection resulted in three-quarters-of-a-million dollars in equipment damage when a semi-trailer truck hauling an excavator on its flatbed was struck by another UP freight train, this one with three locomotives and 123 freight cars traveling at 38 mph on June 19, 2012.


sb-news-bg

Railroad News



Testimonials

Train crash cases are unique and complex with many different potential pitfalls, such as federal preemption. Anytime I get hired or even get a call from a train crash victim, my very first call is to Nathan’s firm. Nathan’s knowledge and experience in handling and trying cases against these litigation savvy railroad companies gives me the confidence to know that the clients and cases I refer to him are getting the best of the best.

James Perrin Lubbock, Texas

I have had the opportunity to work as co-counsel with Nathan on several railroad crossing accidents cases. In each case, Nathan always possessed an incredible knowledge of the law and the facts, possessed a great talent for aggressive - strategic legal planning and trial tactics while, at the same time, displaying great skill as an effective negotiator. I would recommend him to anyone without hesitation.

Scott McCluen Harriman, Tennessee

Nathan Karlin has my strongest endorsement in the field of railroad crossing cases and personal injury law. I had the pleasure of working with Nathan in a complex railroad personal injury case. I was impressed by Nathan’s knowledge, his work ethic, and his dedication to the client. I look forward to working with Nathan on future injury matters. I am also aware firsthand that he has obtained excellent trial and settlement results in numerous cases involving members of the public harmed by railroad companies.

Joseph M. Miller Mandeville, Louisiana

Nathan is a warrior fighting the railroads. As a fellow personal injury lawyer, I have constantly been impressed with his depth of knowledge and his capabilities from case to case. I’d take him into battle with me any day against the biggest railroads and insurance companies on the planet.

Jon C. Clark Austin, Texas

Bob Pottroff has fought for the victims of the railroads’ callous disregard for safety more than any other attorney that I know. I should know because I am currently Chair-elect of the Railroad Section of ATLA.

Robert Schuetze Boulder, Colorado

Mr. Pottroff has shaken the rail industry to its very roots. Settlements are now more common as a result of the way he has exposed the industry’s wrongdoing.

Mike Easley Arkansas

Bob Pottroff’s work in railroad safety law is unmatched and he has been the source of great advice and phenomenal creativity.

Roger Brown Jefferson City, Missouri

In addition to his substantive contributions to railroad grade crossing safety, I have personally observed his untiring efforts and contributions to improving the integrity of the legal system.

Elizabeth Hardy Lake Charles, Louisiana

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 6
  • 7
  • 8
Testimonials