Unguarded Railroad Crossings Along Route 6 in Mayfield, Jermyn, and Forest City: Who’s Liable When a Crash Happens?

Every day, drivers in Mayfield, Jermyn, and Forest City cross railroad tracks along Route 6 and surrounding borough streets with little more than a crossbuck sign to warn them. These at-grade crossings run along the former Delaware, Lackawanna & Western (DL&W) corridor, one of northeastern Pennsylvania’s oldest rail lines, built in the coal era and still carrying freight today. When those crossings lack gates, flashing lights, or adequate sightlines, a serious crash can happen in seconds.

If you or someone you love was hurt at an unguarded railroad crossing near Route 6, you may be wondering who is legally responsible. Is it the railroad? The state? The borough? The answer often involves multiple parties, and understanding liability at these crossings matters deeply when you’re trying to recover from a serious injury.

If you were injured at a railroad crossing in Mayfield, Jermyn, Forest City, or the surrounding Lackawanna Valley communities, please get in touch with our personal injury lawyers in Carbondale at Munley Law.

The Former DL&W Corridor: A Legacy Rail Line With Modern Hazards

The Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad, incorporated in Pennsylvania in 1832 and formally organized under that name in 1853, was the backbone of anthracite coal transport across the Lackawanna Valley. Its northern line ran from Scranton through Jermyn and Mayfield toward Great Bend, and freight operations continue on portions of that corridor today. Where active rail intersects local roads near Route 6, many crossings remain passive, relying only on crossbuck signs with no automated gate or light. According to the FRA’s Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Safety program, grade crossing accidents are the second leading cause of rail-related deaths in the U.S., with more than 2,000 incidents and 200 fatalities each year.
What makes the Route 6 corridor particularly hazardous near these boroughs:

• Curves and grade changes near borough streets that limit sightlines to the tracks
• Frequent freight movements on a corridor in continuous operation since the mid-1800s
• Passive crossbuck-only crossings that place the full burden of awareness on the driver
• Aging road infrastructure that predates modern crossing safety standards

Who Has Jurisdiction Over Railroad Crossings in Pennsylvania?

In Pennsylvania, jurisdiction over public highway-railroad crossings belongs to the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PA PUC). Under 66 Pa. C.S. §§ 2702–04, the PUC holds exclusive jurisdiction over the construction, alteration, relocation, and abolition of public highway-railroad crossings. Its Rail Safety Engineers oversee approximately 5,600 at-grade public crossings statewide. The PUC can also order immediate safety improvements when a crossing presents an imminent danger, and it allocates the cost of required work among the railroad, the municipality, and PennDOT, reflecting the shared responsibility that defines railroad crossing law in Pennsylvania.

Key regulatory facts for crossings in the Mayfield, Jermyn, and Forest City area:

• Pennsylvania regulates approximately 65 railroad companies, the largest number per state in the country, with roughly 5,600 public at-grade crossings statewide
• Crossing upgrades are funded in part through the Federal Rail-Highway Grade Crossing Safety Program, administered through PennDOT
• Anyone can file a formal safety complaint with the PUC’s Rail Safety Section about a dangerous crossing

Who May Be Liable After a Railroad Crossing Crash in Mayfield, Jermyn, or Forest City?

Railroad crossing accident cases share many of the same layered liability as train derailment cases, and in the Lackawanna and Susquehanna County region, multiple defendants may bear responsibility depending on the circumstances. A thorough investigation, including crossing inventory records, maintenance logs, FRA safety data, and PUC filings, is essential.

Potentially liable parties in an unguarded crossing crash along the former DL&W corridor include:

• The railroad company: If the railroad failed to maintain safe crossing conditions, operate trains at appropriate speeds, or report hazardous crossing conditions to the PUC, it may bear primary liability.
• Government entities: Local boroughs, PennDOT, or the PUC itself may share liability if inadequate road infrastructure, poor sight-distance maintenance, or delayed safety improvements contributed to the crash.
• Maintenance contractors: If a contractor performed work on signals, crossing surfaces, or warning devices and that work was defective, the contractor may be independently liable.
• Train operators: A crew member who was distracted, failed to sound a warning horn, or operated at excessive speed approaching a known dangerous crossing may be named as a defendant.

Pennsylvania’s comparative negligence statute, 42 Pa. C.S. § 7102, allows injured victims to recover damages as long as their own share of fault does not exceed 50 percent. Even if a defense team argues you bear partial responsibility, you may still be entitled to substantial compensation.

Questions About Railroad Crossing Accidents Near Route 6

Can I sue a railroad company for an accident at an unguarded crossing in Jermyn or Mayfield?

Yes. If the railroad failed to maintain safe crossing conditions, warn drivers of an approaching train, or operate trains at speeds appropriate for a passive crossing, you may have grounds for a personal injury claim. Railroad companies launch their own post-accident investigations immediately, so contact a personal injury lawyer before speaking with their representatives.

What compensation can I recover after a railroad crossing accident?

Injured victims may recover medical expenses, lost wages, future loss of earning capacity, and pain and suffering. In cases involving a fatality at a crossing in Forest City, Mayfield, or Jermyn, surviving family members may also pursue a wrongful death claim under Pennsylvania law.

How long do I have to file a claim after a railroad crossing crash in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania’s personal injury statute of limitations is two years from the date of injury under 42 Pa. C.S. § 5524. If a government entity is among the defendants, shorter deadlines and specific notice requirements may apply. Do not wait to speak with an attorney.

What should I do immediately after a crash at an unguarded railroad crossing?

Call 911 and seek immediate medical attention. Document the crossing: photograph the signage, sightlines, and your injuries. Do not sign anything or speak with railroad company representatives before consulting a personal injury attorney.

What Damages Can Victims Recover in a Railroad Crossing Accident Case?

Railroad crossing crashes frequently produce catastrophic injuries, including traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, amputations, and long-term disability. Property owners and businesses along the Route 6 corridor may also face premises liability claims when inadequate maintenance of access roads or sight-line obstructions on their property contributed to a crossing crash. Insurance companies and railroad defense teams do not make recovery easy, and the financial consequences can be significant.

Compensation available to railroad crossing accident victims in Pennsylvania may include:

• Past and future medical expenses, including emergency care, surgery, and rehabilitation
• Lost wages and loss of future earning capacity
• Pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of life’s pleasures
• Property damage to your vehicle
• Wrongful death damages for families who lost a loved one at a crossing in Mayfield, Jermyn, or Forest City

An experienced personal injury lawyer will investigate FRA crossing inventory data, subpoena maintenance records, retain expert witnesses in railroad safety engineering, and build the evidence needed to hold all responsible parties accountable.

Contact Our Carbondale Personal Injury Lawyers at Munley Law for a Free Consultation

Unguarded railroad crossings along Route 6 and the former DL&W corridor in Mayfield, Jermyn, and Forest City have caused preventable injuries and deaths. If you or a family member suffered serious injuries in a railroad crossing crash in this region, Munley Law’s Carbondale personal injury attorneys want to help you pursue the full compensation you are owed.

For more information, contact Munley Law to schedule a free consultation. We proudly serve clients throughout Carbondale, Mayfield, Jermyn, Forest City, Lackawanna County, Susquehanna County, and all of northeastern Pennsylvania.

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Carbondale, PA 18407
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