Hundreds of people are either injured or killed in train accidents every year. Due to the fact that trains and locomotives are so large and travel at such high speeds, there is an increased risk of serious injury either for workers, passengers, or anyone near a set of tracks. Anyone lucky enough to survive a train accident may require a lifetime of doctor and/or hospital visits, which could amount to significant medical costs. The deaths and injuries suffered following a train accident are due in large part to a variety of negligent factors:
- POOR MAINTENANCE
- UNSAFE EQUIPMENT
- OPERATOR ERROR
- HAZARDOUS BRIDGE OR HIGHWAY CROSSINGS
- DERAILMENT
- IMPROPER/ DEFECTIVE/ FAULTY SIGNALS
- TRAIN CONTROL
- EQUIPMENT FAILURE
- DANGEROUS OPERATING PRACTICES
- HUMAN ERROR
- HAZARDOUS/TOXIC CHEMICALS SPILLS
Types Of Train Related Cases
There are three main types of train-related cases; those that involve FELA, accidents that take place at railroad crossings, and railroad accidents involving one, two, or more trains.
FELA
In a FELA case, the accident must have taken place within the realm of one’s employment with the railroad. Also, the railroad has to be involved in commerce with more than one state. And finally, the railroad has to have caused and/or contributed to the accident and ensuing injury.
RAILROAD CROSSINGS
In railroad crossing accidents, the motorist or pedestrian has become fully responsible for their own safety. In every situation of an oncoming train, they must take notice of warning signs at the tracks, interpret dangerous conditions, be aware of oncoming train whistles, and attempt to determine the train’s speed. Even after all the precautionary measures have been taken, there still lies a small fraction of negligence that occurs and thus results in a serious injury for an unfortunate victim.
RAILROAD ACCIDENTS
These cases can be blamed on any number of avoidable situations. This includes dangerous conditions at a crossing, derailment, defective warning signals, operator/conductor fatigue, failure to utilize train whistles, speeding, etc.
Serious Injuries
Train accidents are said to take place once every ninety minutes in the United States. Every case is unique, as there can be any number of causes and ensuing injuries following a train accident. The weight of a train, combined with the speed at which it travels, combine to create a catastrophic situation when an accident occurs. The types of injuries sustained as the result of a train accident can include accidental death, brain injuries, an injury to the spinal cord, paralysis, limb amputation, fractures, or internal injuries. Railroad workers experience the highest incidents involving work-related injuries while on the job. Railroad passengers, although numbers have been down due to declining usage, also experience serious injury or death while traveling by rail. Most of these injuries occur at highway or street crossings and can be blamed on negligence. We are experienced in this specific type of litigation and can obtain the proper compensation for you as it relates to your case.
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