When you hear about transportation accidents, the first thing that comes to mind is perhaps a car, truck, or motorcycle was involved in an accident. More surprisingly, however, train and subway accidents happen so frequently, injuring many people. According to the Federal Railroad Administration Office of Safety Analysis (FRA), more than 800 fatalities occurred due to railroad accidents in 2019.
The weight and size of a train make for tragic accidents when cars or pedestrians are involved. Train companies have a duty to make sure that their passengers and cargo are transported safely. They bear a responsibility to ensure that the vehicles are safely operated.
Unfortunately, too often, these accidents are caused by acts of sheer negligence on the part of the train companies. The negligence can have devastating consequences, not just for the passengers and the crew operating the train, but also to innocent bystanders or people who live near train tracks. These may suffer life-threatening injuries or death.
We believe that if you were hurt in a train accident due to a person’s or a company’s negligence, you should not bear the consequences. A Long Island railroad accident lawyer can help you recover compensation for the losses and suffering you suffered as a result of the accident.
To learn how Morelli Law Firm can help you, contact us at (212) 751-9800 for a free case evaluation.
How Our Lawyers Can Help
- Documentation: To build a compensation claim, our lawyers will first need to understand the extent of your injuries. For this reason, we will gather your medical records, medical bills, and insurance policy information
- Investigation: We will launch an independent investigation on your accident in a bid to uncover all the necessary evidence for your claim. Our attorneys may collect dashcam footage, security camera footage, police records, witnesses’ information, and more to help build a strong case
- Negotiation: Our lawyers will first try to negotiate with the at-fault party’s insurer, out of the courtroom, to help you recover the fair compensation that you may be entitled to
- Trial: If we do not reach a reasonable settlement, we will not hesitate to escalate the issue to trial.
Causes of Train Accidents and Derailments
While there are many factors behind train crashes and derailments, most accidents share common causes such as human error and equipment failure. Such cases tend to become complex. A train accident can be caused by:
Driver Negligence
Negligent vehicle drivers often try to cross a railroad before an approaching train arrives, putting themselves and everyone around them at risk of an accident. Such action is dangerous, especially given the fact the train could be closer and moving faster than a driver could judge.
Poorly Maintained Railroads
Railroads need regular inspections and maintenance to ensure they can safely support the weight of the train. When those responsible for inspecting, maintaining, and repairing train tracks fail to uphold their responsibilities, accidents are highly likely to occur.
Malfunctioning Safety Devices
Drivers depend on crossing gates and bells to alert them of an oncoming train. If these devices fail to work, a driver may not be aware of an approaching train and drive into the path.
Equipment Failure
Train companies have a duty to maintain the train regularly. A train with mechanical problems can cause the operator to lose control of the train.
Human Error
A train accident can stem from the conductor or operator’s negligence. Examples of irresponsible train operation include:
- Operating the train under the influence of drugs and alcohol
- Exhausted train operation
- Outright reckless train operation
- Distracted train operation
Long Island Railroad Accident Lawyer Near Me 877-751-9800
You May Be Entitled to Compensation Following a Train Accident
If you experienced injuries in a train accident, you can pursue monetary compensation for the injuries in the form of awards for economic and non-economic losses. Some of the economic damages that you may recover include:
- Current and future medical expenses: This includes all the treatment costs that you might incur after being involved in a train crash. If the injuries are so severe that they need extended medical care, the liable party will cater for future treatments.
- Lost wages: Following a train accident, you may suffer injuries so severe that they prevent you from returning to work. Whether you are unable to work temporarily or permanently, you are entitled to recover compensation for the lost wages.
- Reduced Earning capacity: If you suffered injuries that may have negatively impacted your working capacity, you may be rewarded compensation for the income you would have earned if the train accident did not occur.
Some of the non-economic damages that you may recover include:
- Pain and suffering: You may be entitled to compensation for the physical pain that the injuries caused. Various factors, such as how the pain affects your quality of life and how long you are likely to experience the pain, are taken into consideration in the calculation of the reward.
- Loss of consortium: If you lost a spouse in a train accident, you may be awarded compensation, through a wrongful death claim, for the loss of services, assistance, aid, and companionship that were previously present before the death of your loved one.
Call Morelli Law Firm for Help
If you or a loved one suffered in an accident involving trains and railways, do not hesitate to contact a Long Island railroad accident lawyer for legal representation. Call Morelli Law Firm today at (212) 751-9800 for a free review of your case.