Road safety on railway crossings
Breaking down or getting 'trapped' by the barriers on a railway crossing is thankfully a pretty rare occurance - but more importantly, it can easily be avoided. Even if it does not happen to you, it could happen to someone ahead of you in a queue, and if so would you know how to help them out?
Most railway crossings have automatically activated traffic control lights, warning sirens and barriers that control and block the paths of vehicles on both sides of the road. Many of them are also monitored by CCTV cameras although not always continuously. In more rural locations however, there may only be one barrier on each side of the road that blocks just the on-coming traffic, and again they may not be monitored all of the time.
Many accidents on railway crossings occur because an impatient driver when confonted by a closing barrier (or even a closed barrier on a rural crossing) decides to take a risk, and 'jump the lights'. This kind of behaviour is unbelievably dangerous, and should NEVER be considered as an option. Not only are you putting your life and the lives of your passengers in serious danger, but also the lives of everybody on board the approaching train.
If there is queue of traffic with a railway crossing in-between, you must never be tempted to cross the railway until there is plenty of room on the other side to stop clear of the barrier.
In the unlikely event that you do break down on the crossing and you cannot restart your vehicle quickly, you have two options depending on the situation.
If the warning sirens have sounded and there is obviously a train approaching - get everyone out of the vehicle and get as far away from the track as possible (at least 40 - 50 metres).
If the alarms have not sounded and there is no train approaching, get everyone clear who is not going to assist you, and then try to restart or push the vehicle off the tracks.
If after only a few minutes you realise the vehicle cannot be moved, use the emergency telephone to warn the signalman that there is a problem, then call the emergency services and get well away from the crossing (again about 40 - 50 metres).
If you have been involved in a road accident that was not your fault, we can help you get a replacement vehicle, car repairs, legal assistance and injury compensation.
Please give us a call on 02392 484 244 and one of our experienced claims advisors will be happy to assist you.
No need to claim on your insurance
Anyone who has been involved in a road accident has the right to choose who repairs their vehicle. If you were responsible for the accident you were involved in, the company that insures your vehicle would normally deal with your accident claim.
However if you were not at-fault for the accident, you can choose to either claim on your own insurance policy or make a claim independently of your insurer. To find out more call 02392 484 244 and we will be happy to help.
We and our partners help thousands of people make independent accident claims. Our service enables motorists to get the help and assistance they need to resolve their accident related issues, with the costs being recovered directly from the at-fault driver on your behalf.
However if you were not at-fault for the accident, you can choose to either claim on your own insurance policy or make a claim independently of your insurer. To find out more call 02392 484 244 and we will be happy to help.
We and our partners help thousands of people make independent accident claims. Our service enables motorists to get the help and assistance they need to resolve their accident related issues, with the costs being recovered directly from the at-fault driver on your behalf.
No excess to pay
Unfortunately even if an accident was not your fault, your insurer will almost certainly require you to pay your excess before any repair is started on your car.
This money should of course be recovered by an insurer at a later date, but with our service - you do not have to pay it at all.
By using our independent claims service, you are not making a claim on your insurance policy and so you will have no excess to pay.
This money should of course be recovered by an insurer at a later date, but with our service - you do not have to pay it at all.
By using our independent claims service, you are not making a claim on your insurance policy and so you will have no excess to pay.
Receive a comparable replacement hire vehicle
Not all insurance policies will include a replacement hire-car for you to use if yours is damaged and unroadworthy. In fact it is typically an 'optional extra' on your policy.
Other policies may offer a 'courtesy car' but this is often just a 'basic' saloon or hatchback which may not be suitable for your needs.
Car Call and its partners will provide a comparable replacement vehicle as part of our service. This means we will endeavour to supply a hire-vehicle that similar to your own in terms of its type, make and engine size.
So whether you drive a small hatchback or a prestige sports car, we will look to provide a similar hire-vehicle that suits your needs.
Other policies may offer a 'courtesy car' but this is often just a 'basic' saloon or hatchback which may not be suitable for your needs.
Car Call and its partners will provide a comparable replacement vehicle as part of our service. This means we will endeavour to supply a hire-vehicle that similar to your own in terms of its type, make and engine size.
So whether you drive a small hatchback or a prestige sports car, we will look to provide a similar hire-vehicle that suits your needs.
Manufacturer approved vehicle repairs
If you have been involved in a car accident, the last thing you want to have to worry about is the quality of the repairs to your car. We have a UK wide network of partner approved Accident Repair Centres available to all of our customers.
Many of our accident repair centres are have manufacturer approvals for specific brands, so if you require a manufacturer approved repair centre, simply tell your personal claim handler and they will ensure your vehicle goes to an approved repairer.
Want you vehicle repaired by a specific garage? No problem, we can alternatively use a repairer that you specify.
Many of our accident repair centres are have manufacturer approvals for specific brands, so if you require a manufacturer approved repair centre, simply tell your personal claim handler and they will ensure your vehicle goes to an approved repairer.
Want you vehicle repaired by a specific garage? No problem, we can alternatively use a repairer that you specify.
Legal Assistance
Our partner solicitors provide legal assistance as part of our service. They specialise in motor claims related issues, so you can be assured of the best possible advice and assistance.
They issues they can assist you with include:
They issues they can assist you with include:
- Recovery of the cost of the replacement hire-vehicle
- Recovery of the cost of uplifting your damaged vehicle
- Recovery of all repair costs
- Recovery of the cost of damaged of personal items
- Seeking financial compensation for an injury
