BNSF high-rail truck driver rear-ends train

A Madison County man is suing a railroad company after the railroad truck he was driving allegedly rear-ended a train.

James Bradley filed a lawsuit March 25 in Madison County Circuit Court against BNSF Railway Company.

Bradley says he was working for BNSF Railway and was operating a high rail truck in June 2008. Bradley says he was following a train west of Melrose, Iowa checking the tracks when the train stopped in front of him without warning.

Bradley claims the brakes on the high-rail truck were inefficient and caused him to crash into the back of the defendant's train. The crash allegedly caused Bradley to be pinned in the cab of his truck.

Bradley accuses the Chicago-based railroad company of negligence and of violating the federal Safety Appliance Act. He asks for an unspecified amount of money in damages for medical expenses, lost wages and court fees.

Attorney Paul T. Slocomb of St. Louis represents Bradley in this action.

Madison County Circuit Court Case No. 11-L-283