Train Accidents
There are about 250,000 miles of railroad tracks in the United States with thousands of streets that cross over these tracks. This creates a multitude of occasions for accidents between trains and cars, trucks or other motor vehicles. Similarly, derailments of trains caused by operating outside of regulated speeds are occurring with alarming frequency. When trains come off their tracks serious injury results to passengers and people nearby.
In 2007, there were over 8,000 incidents of injury and over 500 deaths as reported by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). In reality, these figures may actually be higher due to the fact that the FRA relies on railroad operators to report these incidents themselves.
Common causes of train crossing accidents in the United States are as follows:
- Overgrown vegetation. Trees, large shrubs, buildings or other obstructions that interfere with a driver's ability to see oncoming trains.
- Crossings that have inadequate warning mechanisms for the danger posed by the intersection.
- Defective or poorly maintained warning devices (malfunctioning bells and/or gate arms that close) that could have prevented an accident if they have been functioning properly.
Recoverable Damages
Damages that are available to be claimed in a train accident lawsuit are varied and complex. These damages are intended not as a reward, but as a way to restore the victim to his or her pre-accident status. Since circumstances will vary widely, you should get specific advice from an attorney. For general information, please visit our page on potential recoverable damages.
What To Do
Being involved in an accident on or with a train or any other traumatic event can leave a victim caught up in a complex maze of legal, medical and financial issues at a time when they are least prepared to deal appropriately with those issues. Until you can speak to an attorney, we hope that the general information found on our page on what to do if you have been involved in an accident will be helpful.
Contact the Kane Law Firm, P.A.
If you or a loved one have been the victim of a train accident, please call the Central Florida Train Accident Attorneys at the Kane Law Firm, P.A. in Orlando, Florida at (407) 898-9130, submit a contact form on our website, or email us at Info@KaneInjury.com.
We offer a free initial consultation, and if we agree to take your case, we will work on a contingency basis. This means we will get paid for our services only if there is a monetary award or recovery of funds.