Train accidents are relatively rare but when they do occur, it can have devastating consequences such as the loss of life, serious injury and property damage. Train crashes and derailments often happen because of human error or a mechanical failure. In other words, someone else is at fault for your injuries.
According to the United States Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS), derailments are the most common type of train accident. Train crashes are considerably less common but can have more serious and even potentially deadly outcomes.
If you are involved in a Philadelphia train accident, our experienced lawyers are available to help you. You may be entitled to damages that include lost wages, future lost earnings and medical expenses. Our PA train accident lawyers will review the facts of your case and advise you on how we may be able to best assist you in recovering compensation for the injuries sustained.
Human error, railroad track defects, malfunctioning equipment, poor weather conditions, excessive speed, trespassing on railway tracks, drug or alcohol use, and vandalism can all lead to train accidents and derailments.
Statistics show that almost 80 percent of train related fatalities occur due to derailments, collisions with other trains or pedestrians/vehicles on the railroad tracks. Many times, these types of accidents take place because engineers failed to follow basic safety guidelines. Operator errors are responsible for nearly half of train crashes in the United States leading to several hundred deaths a year. Improper maintenance and other workplace safety violations may also cause crashes, such as malfunctioning lights, gates, brakes, defective communications equipment, handrails, or tracks, which can lead to a derailment.
Train accidents are generally more dangerous than car accidents because trains can travel at very high speeds with little control for the passengers on board. When an accident or derailment occurs, passengers can be thrown from their seats, especially given the high rates of speed the train travels. When a train accident does occur, people suffer serious life-altering disabilities that may prevent them from ever working again or that greatly reduce their quality of living in other ways.
The types of injuries can range from severe to mild and include:
Depending on the severity of your injuries, you may also be entitled to damages for emotional distress or loss of life’s enjoyment.
A railroad crossing accident is a collision between a train and another vehicle, or in some instances a pedestrian. Many individuals are understandably in need of a railroad accident attorney after such a traumatic event.
Sometimes the accident may be the fault of the driver, such as one who tries to speed up and cross the tracks in front of an oncoming train, poor weather conditions such as fog which limits visibility, and inattentive pedestrians walking along the railroad tracks.
Other times the collision can be the fault of the railroad company. If the crossing gate does not fully close or if it is damaged in some way, this could lead to a collision. Other causes include negligent operation of the train, a defective train or other mechanical issue or a defective train track.
The Federal Railroad Administration has found that there is no way to eliminate all railroad crossing deaths but they have tried to reduce their numbers through safety improvements like new warning bells and flashing lights as well as improved sight lines at crossings where drivers can’t see around corners or hills before it’s too late. Unfortunately for many people, these changes were made after someone was already seriously injured in an accident.
Railroad companies, including common carriers like Amtrak, must be held accountable for their negligence in causing train accidents and derailments, and must pay compensation when they cause injury to others through their negligence. That’s why you need to consult with a Philadelphia train accident attorney who can help.
Sometimes the accidents occur on tracks that are not owned by the train company, which makes your case even more complex and why you need to hire a lawyer to investigate the accident and all the potential wrongdoers who may be responsible for your injuries.
In addition to helping you navigate your medical care, expenses and rehabilitation, our train / railroad accident lawyers will aggressively pursue litigation. We will not let insurance companies for negligent train companies, railroad track manufacturers, or even negligent automobile drivers use underhanded tactics to try to minimize the value of your claims. Our team of professionals have the experience needed to help you after an injury or a loved one’s wrongful death.
Call our Philadelphia train accident attorneys today at law firm of Premier Legal Solutions, PLLC. Call 267-824-2425 or go to 1lawyer.com and fill out our contact form.
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