Train accidents are often devastating and result in severe injuries. Given the extreme weight and speed of trains, it is no wonder accidents involving trains and cars can be physically damaging. Trains are vital to the economy here in the United States, reliably transporting cargo across the nation. Depending on where you live, trains may be a regular part of your cityscape, whereas others may only notice trains during cross-country trips. Regardless, train accidents can be very destructive and pose a serious threat to innocent motorists and pedestrians. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, there are nearly 6,000 train-car accidents every year in the United States. The majority of these accidents take place at railroad crossings and result in about 600 deaths and more than 23,000 injuries. If you are the victim of a train accident, you need an experienced Los Angeles train accident attorney. The railroad accident lawyers at Wilshire Law Firm can help you understand your case and ensure those liable for your injuries are held accountable. Our personal injury lawyers can advise you of any legal options you have for securing compensation for the medical expenses, property, damages, and suffering you incur. Call (800) 501-3011 for a FREE case consultation.
Types of Train Accident Injuries
The expenses attributed to a train accident injury can be assigned to any negligent parties that caused or were found liable for the accident. Our firm employs experienced train accident injury attorneys, who will pursue your full compensation by the responsible parties for all costs incurred. Expenses from medical bills, treatment plans, legal services, lost income, and pain and suffering, are all examples of expenses that you can seek reimbursement for through a compensation settlement. Negotiations with the liable party and their insurance provider help our attorneys arrive at a fair and equitable settlement agreement. Compensation can be awarded for victims of train accidents who suffer any personal injuries including:- Torn ligaments
- Internal bleeding
What Are the Main Causes of Train Accidents?
Although many train accidents are the fault of impatient motorists crossing tracks at the wrong time, other accidents result from the negligence of train operators or poor maintenance of the train tracks. As a central connecting point for many train tracks and with hundreds of railroad crossings in the city, Los Angeles is a frequent train accident scene. Negligence that can cause a train accident resulting in a serious injury includes:- Malfunctioning or nonexistent warning signs
- Negligent train conductors
- Trains operating at unsafe speeds
- Trains with faulty equipment making a collision inevitable
What Should I Do After Being Injured in a Train Accident?
Following a train accident in California, consider the following steps:- Seek immediate medical attention.
- Take pictures and gather any other evidence.
- Contact your insurance company and inform them of the accident.
- Determine liability (more on that later).
- Contact a Los Angeles train accident attorney.
Who’s Liable in a Train Accident?
Train accidents often make headlines because they result in fatalities and severe injuries. Whether you lost a loved one in a train accident or sustained injuries, you can hold those responsible accountable. So, who is liable in a Los Angeles train accident? The following parties may face a lawsuit because of a train accident that resulted in injuries or death:- The train company (like Amtrak or another common carrier)
- The railway owner
- The negligent railroad employee
- The negligent train operator
- The railroad maintenance crew
- Property owners
- Government agencies
What Damages Are Recoverable in Train Accident Cases?
In the event of a severe injury, train accident victims can require extensive medical treatment and extended nursing care. The costs can be enormous, depending on the severity of the injuries and the necessary treatment. Expenses begin to accumulate as soon as EMTs arrive on the scene of an accident to provide emergency treatment and continue through the completion of any rehabilitation program. Immediate contact with a Wilshire Law Firm personal injury attorney can secure the protection of your rights and restoration of your health during the difficult times following a train accident. The first crisis can occur at the hospital if the victim lacks medical insurance. By quickly contacting an experienced train accident legal professional at Wilshire Law Firm, we will make sure to set up arrangements to fund your medical care, regardless of expense and the length of the treatment plan. Qualified medical professionals will administer all required medical services, which will require no upfront payment by the client victim.California Train Accident Statistics
In recent years, fatalities from train accidents have increased in California. To get a better idea of how these types of accidents occur and have impacted the state, let’s look at a handful of train accidents statistics:- In 2016, there were 232 fatalities and injuries on California train tracks (not including railroad crossings)
- In 2017, this number rose to 247 and was 248 in 2018
- A train collides with another object or is derailed every hour and a half in the U.S.
In 2019, there were 1,848 total train accidents, according to statistics from the Bureau of Transportation
- Of these, 1,283 were derailments and 115 collisions
- Each year, nearly 1,000 people die in train accidents in the U.S.
- More than 50 percent of all train accidents take place at unprotected railroad crossings
- 80 percent of railroad crossings have inadequate warning systems, like lights and gates
- Every two weeks in the U.S., a train carrying hazardous materials derails
How Much Compensation Can I Claim?
In general, traveling by train is extremely safe. However, when accidents do happen, they can be deadly. If you survived a train accident and are left with severe injuries or lost a loved one in a railroad accident, you may have the right to compensation. In addition to compensation for physical injuries, victims can also seek damages for pain, suffering, and other psychological injuries. One of the most common questions asked by those affected by a train accident is “how much they can claim for their injury”. There are a variety of factors that contribute to the value of a claim, and it’s important to remember each case is unique. Factors include:- Extent and type of injuries (some injuries will carry more compensation than others, such as back and neck injuries and loss of limb)
- Pain and suffering
