Railway collisions and train derailments are complex accidents that involve federal and state agencies. In some circumstances, a legal claim could involve suing a government agency rather than a private railroad company. This is why you need an experienced personal injury lawyer on your side to help you navigate the complex process of getting compensation.
The train accident law Ted Lyon Law has a passion to win for our clients, regardless of the size of the corporation or government agency on the other side of the aisle in court. We have a proven track record, with 50+ years of successful verdicts and settlements. Call a Texas railroad accident lawyer from our firm for a free initial consultation at 877-833-5966. We serve personal injury clients in communities across North Texas.
What Are Common Causes of Railroad Accidents?
Excessive speed and human error are the most common reasons investigators give for railroad accidents and train derailments. However, railroad crash investigators also look for evidence of sabotage. Train-related injuries can result from:
- Urban train accidents, involving passenger trains like the Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART), can occur when:
- A train collides with a car, bicyclist, or pedestrian on the track,
- A person falls off a train platform onto the track,
- A person falls getting on or off the train.
- Rural railroad crossing accidents can happen involving a freight or passenger train traveling at high speed colliding with a car or truck at an uncontrolled railroad crossing.
- A train derailment happens when a train jumps the track. This happens more often than you may think.
Train derailments cause serious injuries and deaths to passengers and those around the train. In a freight train derailment, flammable or toxic chemicals may be dumped into the environment, exposing nearby residents to toxic clouds, starting fires, and destroying property
The risk of these accidents increases when a train conductor goes faster than recommended for the train’s type and class, which increases the chance of a train derailment; a vehicle driver “races the train” to a railroad crossing can cause a collision, which can in turn cause a train derailment; a railroad worker fails to follow safety precautions; a truck driver or pedestrian is distracted or impaired by alcohol or drugs.
But it’s not always a driver error. There could be other causes as well, such as equipment malfunction also contribute, particularly malfunctioning brakes and defective handbrakes or inadequate track maintenance, which can cause mechanical failures and derailments. In fact, some 40% of derailments are blamed on track defects. Our dedicated Texas attorneys can help you pursue a railroad injury claim regardless of how the accident occurred.
Common Train Accident Injuries
Train crash injuries tend to be immediate and severe, including crush injuries and loss of limbs, multiple broken bones, and severe head injuries. Train derailments, with fire or toxic exposure, can cause both short- and long-term injuries, including:
Settling a case across a group of people will often fail to consider the unique nature of each person’s injuries and losses. You may have a higher wage and therefore greater wage loss. You may have more serious injuries. The truth of the matter is, a seemingly quick and easy settlement is likely to be lower than what you can recover with the help of a knowledgeable railroad accident attorney in Texas.
Call a Texas Train and Railroad Accident Attorney Today For Help
Schedule a free initial consultation by calling 877-Ted-Lyon (833-5966) or contact us online. We handle all personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis. That means we only earn our legal fee if we win your case. Home and hospital consultations are available if you are unable to visit our office.
Learn more about our firm and our Texas railroad injury lawyers. Our firm has been recognized in many ways over the years, including selection to the Super Lawyers list and an AV Preeminent Rating* in Martindale-Hubbell’s peer review rating system.
*AV Preeminent is a certification mark of Reed Elsevier Properties Inc., used in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards and policies. Martindale-Hubbell is the facilitator of a peer review rating process. Ratings reflect the confidential opinions of members of the bar and the judiciary. Martindale-Hubbell ratings fall into two categories: legal ability and ethical standards.
