Train accidents frequently are severe and cause serious injury or death to dozens or even hundreds of passengers at a time.
Trains are widely assumed to be a safe way to travel. However, train accidents are much more common than many people think. Every year, there are thousands of accidents with injuries involving trains, and hundreds of people are killed in these types of accidents.
Causes of train accidents
There are variety of reasons why train accidents take place, some of the most common causes consist of:
Negligence— Train accidents caused by negligence can be blamed on a variety of things such as the railway company, the engineer, Conductor or various other railway employees, or the rail maintenance operator, or the train accident could have been caused by the equipment itself, sometimes the signal could have failed and the crossing arms may not have worked properly. In the event of a train crash or injury, it is important to immediately demand and request that the railway company maintain all components related to the operation of the train.
Human Error— this could be because of improperly trained rail employees, long hours, just like human error car and truck accidents, human error can be the reason for train accidents. For example, a conductor may leave their required area and not see a stalled car on the tracks, which would probably cause a preventable accident.
Pedestrian and car drivers— train accidents are not always the fault of the railway, rail operator, engineers, or rail employees; it could be because of the negligence of pedestrians or drivers. When pedestrians are not paying attention or drivers are distracted, collisions could occur.
Mechanical failures— sometimes, faulty parts used to maintain equipment, signals, rails, etc, may be at fault. With all of the safety measures being taken by the rail operator, sometimes unforeseen situations may occur beyond the control of the rail operators. For instance, if the train tracks are not inspected routinely, debris or materials on the tracks could cause a train to derail or "jolt" triggering injuries to the passengers aboard or close by the tracks.
Defective tracks/ obstruction on the tracks— sometimes, tracks not installed correctly can have serious repercussions; trees, pipes, or other things can fall on the tracks and can have serious repercussions. Tracks have to be inspected on a regular basis to ensure everyone's safety. Requests for train track inspections is something that must be done if there is cause to believe that the tracks caused or contributed to the crash or injury.
Injuries from train accidents
Given the size and weight and force of a moving train, a collision with an automobile or a pedestrian can be devastating. Additionally, passengers and crew aboard a moving train could be injured, however perhaps less severely than those hurt in the car or a pedestrian.
Common catastrophic injuries from train accidents are as follows:
- Spinal Cord Injuries
- Amputations
- Serious Brain or traumatic brain Injuries
- Head injury
- Fractured neck injuries
- Blindness
- Organ damage
Train accidents frequently are severe and cause serious injury or death to dozens or even hundreds of passengers at a time. In addition, those in automobiles that are struck by trains are at a high risk for physical injuries and harm after a collision. Regardless of whether you were a passenger in a train or in a car, if you have been involved in an accident with a train, you may be entitled to a financial recovery for your damages.
A train accident lawyer can help you know whether you have a claim and what damages you might be able to recover, including payment for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and any other costs you were forced to incur. With the facts of each accident and each injury differing from one another, it is a good idea to speak to an attorney to receive guidance specific to your claim.
