Statistics on Railroad Accidents
- In 2011, there were 11,220 railroad accidents in the United States (Federal Railroad Administration Office of Safety Analysis).
- A train collides with a person or vehicle every two hours (Iowa State University).
- In an average year, railroad accidents are responsible for more deaths than commercial airline crashes (Iowa State University).
Railroad Injury Cases
Railroad cases are somewhat of a specialty within a specialty. Railroad cases still have, like other specialties within tort law, similar elements. Duty, breach, causation, and damages are the elements of torts. The railroad and its operators had a duty to you. They may have breached that duty, depending on the facts of the case. That breach may have caused damages. If your situation meets these elements and you were injured, you may have a claim.
Problems with the railroad track, equipment, signals or personnel often cause railroad accidents. Because the railroad is responsible for ensuring that there are no defects in these areas, it can be held at fault when such a defect causes an accident and/or injury.
If you were involved in a railroad accident, or if a member of your family was killed or injured in such an accident, you may benefit from the counsel of a lawyer, ideally the best railroad accident lawyer in your area. Attorneys who concentrate in railroad accidents may be able to help you in the following cases:
- Railroad accidents resulting from human error
- Accidents following signal breakdown or defect
- Accidents in which the track was defective
- Railroad accidents involving faulty equipment
- Conductor error or engineer error
The Attorney’s Role
A lawyer with a history of work in railroad cases can examine your medical records and accident report to determine whether you have a valid claim against the railroad. Such an attorney can also help you through all elements of the healing process, be it finding a doctor or finding justice through the courts.
If the lawyer you hire determines that the railroad is at fault for the injuries you or a loved one sustained during a railroad accident, he or she will file a lawsuit against the railroad to recover damages. Throughout the duration of the lawsuit, your lawyer will consult with you, negotiate with the defendant’s insurance company and attorneys, represent you in court and do anything else in his or her power to help you recover your damages.
The Best Railroad Accident Lawyer
There is no one best railroad accident lawyer, but, rather, a number of excellent lawyers with a history of experience and success. The key is to find these lawyers. You may use our website to compare lawyers based on experience in injury cases. In the alternative, you may get additional assistance from us in your quest to find an experienced lawyer.