Railroad Accident Lawyer — Trial-Ready Representation in Los Angeles and Chicago
Railroad accidents don't happen slowly. A collision at a crossing, a derailment, a pedestrian struck by a commuter train — the violence is sudden, and the injuries are catastrophic. Traumatic brain injuries. Spinal cord damage. Amputations. Wrongful death.
What follows is just as brutal: a railroad corporation with its own legal team, its own investigators, and its own agenda — already working to limit your recovery before you've left the hospital.
At The Law Offices of Haytham Faraj, we represent railroad accident victims and their families in Los Angeles and Chicago. We take these cases to trial when insurers and railroad companies refuse to pay what the case is worth. No upfront cost. No fee unless we recover for you.
If you were injured in a train or railroad accident, the clock is already running. Call us now for a free case evaluation.
Why Railroad Accident Cases Are Different — and Why That Matters
Railroad accident litigation is not standard personal injury work. The legal landscape is more complex, the defendants are better resourced, and the evidence window closes faster than in almost any other case type.
Here is what you are up against:
Powerful corporate defendants.
Freight railroads, commuter rail operators, and transit authorities employ full-time defense teams. They begin investigating the moment an accident occurs — often before emergency responders have cleared the scene.
Federal law overlays.
Depending on how the accident occurred and who was involved, your claim may intersect with federal statutes including the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA), the Federal Railroad Safety Act, or federal preemption doctrines that limit state law claims. Attorneys without railroad litigation experience routinely mishandle these issues, costing clients significant recovery.
Evidence that disappears in hours.
Train event recorders (the railroad equivalent of a black box), surveillance footage, maintenance logs, crew communications, and track inspection records are all controlled by the railroad. Without immediate legal intervention — including spoliation letters placing the railroad on notice to preserve evidence — that data can be overwritten, deleted, or "lost."
Aggressive early contact.
Railroad companies and their insurers often contact victims or families within hours of an accident, seeking recorded statements and quick settlements that release all future claims. Accepting an early offer without legal counsel almost always means leaving the true value of the case on the table.
This is not the kind of case you hand to a general practitioner or a high-volume settlement operation. It requires an attorney who knows how to move fast, preserve evidence, and prepare for trial from day one.
Common Causes of Railroad Accidents — and Who Is Liable
Liability in a railroad accident case depends on identifying the specific failure that caused the collision or derailment. We investigate every angle.
Driver negligence at railroad crossings.
When a motorist attempts to cross ahead of an approaching train, the results are often fatal. Trains cannot stop quickly — a fully loaded freight train traveling at 55 mph requires over a mile to stop. If a driver's negligence caused your accident, we pursue the responsible party. If crossing signals, gates, or warning systems failed, the railroad or municipality may share liability.
Equipment failure.
Brake malfunctions, defective track, failed signal systems, malfunctioning crossing gates, and faulty communication equipment are all documented causes of railroad accidents. When a train company fails to maintain its equipment to federal safety standards, that failure is negligence — and it creates liability.
Human error by railroad personnel.
Engineer or conductor negligence — distracted operation, impairment, failure to follow safety protocols, speeding, or improper response to track conditions — is a documented cause of derailments and collisions. These cases often involve federal safety regulations as the standard of care.
Track defects and infrastructure failures.
Broken rails, misaligned switches, inadequate maintenance, and substandard roadbed construction have caused some of the most catastrophic derailments on record. Railroad companies have a federal obligation to inspect and maintain track. When they fail, they are accountable.
Pedestrian and grade crossing accidents.
Pedestrians struck at crossings or along rail corridors represent a significant portion of railroad fatalities. Liability may rest with the railroad, the municipality responsible for crossing safety, or both.
The Faraj Law Approach: Trial-Ready from Day One
Every case we accept is prepared as if it will go to trial. Not because every case goes to trial — but because railroad companies and their insurers know which attorneys will actually try a case, and they negotiate accordingly.
Firms that process high volumes of claims and settle quickly are known quantities to railroad defense teams. They receive low offers because the railroad knows the attorney will take it. We are not that firm.
Haytham Faraj is a retired Marine Corps Major, former JAG Senior Defense Counsel, and faculty member at the Gerry Spence Method — a trial training program that shapes the country's most committed courtroom advocates. He has tried over 80 cases across military, federal, and state courts. He has litigated against the City of Los Angeles, the federal government, and corporate defendants with unlimited legal resources. He does not settle cases because it is convenient. He settles when the offer reflects the true value of the case — and goes to trial when it does not.
That posture is what separates a $250,000 settlement from a seven-figure verdict.
Free Case Evaluation — No Fee Unless We Win
If you or someone you love was injured in a railroad accident, you have the right to full compensation. You also have a limited window to preserve the evidence that makes that possible.
The Law Offices of Haytham Faraj serves railroad accident victims and families in Los Angeles, Chicago, and throughout California and Illinois. We handle every case on a contingency fee basis: no upfront cost, no hourly billing, no attorney fee unless we recover for you.
Need a Consultation? We Are Here to Help You!
Feel free to contact us to schedule a consultation.