Seeking Compensation After Railroad Accidents: Experienced Legal Support
If you or a loved one were injured in a railroad accident, it’s important to contact an experienced personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. At The Law Offices of Haytham Faraj, our team is highly experienced in representing railroad accident victims. We will do whatever it takes to ensure you are awarded the compensation you deserve.
Every day, trains transport passengers across the country, in and out of cities, and across state lines. While trains may be safer than cars, they still do pose a serious risk and when these types of accidents occur, the repercussions are often serious, and even fatal. Train accidents can occur due to a number of reasons, including train derailments, trains hitting stalled or purposely left vehicles on railroad tracks, pedestrian accidents, equipment problems, and much more.
When a railroad accident occurs, the aftermath is often serious, leaving victims and their families with extremely difficult physical, emotional, and financial burdens. Fortunately, the law allows victims to pursue financial recourse for their losses.
Common Causes of Train Accidents and Derailments
Unfortunately, there are a wide range of common causes of train accidents and derailments. They often include human error, equipment failure, and more. Therefore, having a reputable attorney on your side who understands the laws can be invaluable to your case and can make a dramatic difference in the outcome of your case. Railroad accidents can be caused from the following:
Driver negligence
A train accident caused by driver negligence occurs when the driver of a motor-vehicle attempts to cross a railroad crossing before an approaching train arrives. This is extremely dangerous, as trains move a lot faster than they appear. Therefore, it is never safe to attempt to beat a train when it is approaching.
Equipment failure
Faulty equipment may contribute to a wide range of accidents, including brake malfunction; malfunctions of lights, sounds, and gates; faulty communication equipment; defective/broken railroad tracks; and more.
Human error
Human error can be caused by the engineer or conductor’s negligence. Their negligence can be caused by cell phone distractions, other workers, being under the influence of drugs or alcohol, failing to follow safety precautions, and much more.
What Should I Do if I Have Been Involved in a Train Accident?
Being involved in a train accident can be extremely catastrophic, leaving you in complete shock for quite some time. You may be confused and wondering what you should do to preserve your rights. The nature of train accidents involves the public, making it very newsworthy. Therefore, people who weren’t in the train were likely to have witnessed the accident as well. While important to your case as well, including:
Preserving evidence
When it comes to any type of accident, preserving evidence is essential to a successful claim, especially when it comes to train accidents. While you may think that the authorities are recovering relevant evidence to the accident, you should never be too sure. Why? Because the train company will always protect their own best interests in an event like this, and local and government authorities may not even do a thorough job in investigations. Even though you may not be a professional investigator, your statement matters. Therefore, take note of important matters surrounding the accident. Was there an attempt to break prior to the accident? Where did the accident occur? How was the weather? Which emergency personnel responded to the accident? Additionally, speaking to an experienced train accident lawyer will be extremely helpful, as they have what it takes to do further investigation and discovery pertaining to your case. Our team of lawyers work closely with experts who have the skills, knowledge, and expertise in dealing with railroad accidents.
Keep discussion to a minimum
No matter what the circumstances are, it is always best to consult with a train accident lawyer prior to speaking to any investigators or insurance companies, as anything you say may be used against you. This can potentially minimize your claim, resulting in hurting your case overall.
If your vehicle was involved in the crash, notify your insurer
If your vehicle was involved in the crash, you must promptly notify your insurer to preserve your coverage for any accident-related claims. However, you must keep in mind that while insurance companies are there to protect you, they also have their own interests in mind to pay as little as possible to their clients in order to protect their own pockets. Therefore, it is imperative to not give too much information because whatever you say can be used against you. And with that being said, this is why it is essential to retain a train accident lawyer as soon as possible so they can advise you on the next steps and they can deal with the insurance company and other parties.
Contact an experienced train accident attorney
It is crucial to obtain a lawyer who specializes in train accident cases, as they have knowledge of railroad laws, they know what it takes to recover evidence, they know how to deal with train companies and insurers, and much more. It is best to contact a lawyer as soon as possible to preserve your rights. Contact our team at The Law Offices of Haytham Faraj for the legal help you need and deserve.
Need a Consultation? We Are Here to Help You!
Feel free to contact us to schedule a consultation.