If you or a loved one have sustained injuries in a train accident in California, trust the experienced personal injury professionals at MI ABOGADO®. We will fight relentlessly to hold any and all negligent parties accountable for their actions and will build a strong case, tailored to your unique circumstances, to maximize your settlement. You deserve to see justice for your losses.
Train travel is extremely popular across California, from short rides on city metros to long-haul train rides across the state. People turn to trains because they’re convenient, faster than driving, and more cost-effective than flying. They also offer a great way to relax and enjoy California’s incredible scenery. However, train accidents can lead to devastating injuries, even fatalities. Passengers, bystanders, employees, and train operators can all be victims of these catastrophic accidents.
Litigating a train accident case is a complex process. More people are likely to sustain injuries in a train accident when compared to, say, a car accident. That means there are many parties involved, along with their lawyers, insurance companies, the railway owner, the train company, the train operator, train employees, the railroad maintenance crew, and more. Many trains are run by government entities, which only further complicates the process. However, a skilled personal injury attorney with experience handling train accident cases can fight for you to see justice for your losses.
Common Causes of Train Accidents
Train accidents can occur for a wide variety of reasons. Common causes of train accidents include:
- Human Error: Train operators have a stressful job of maneuvering the train and keeping everyone on board safe. Unfortunately, like the driver of any vehicle, they also can be negligent. They may become distracted, switch among tracks carelessly, or they may be under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Similarly, train employees may fail to properly maintain train equipment and may not properly balance, or overload, cargo.
- Negligent Motorists: Crossing railroad tracks can be dangerous, especially when vehicle drivers think they can get past the tracks before the train arrives. Trains may look like they aren’t moving very fast from a distance, but they are moving at a much higher speed than they appear.
- Malfunctioning Equipment: Train operators do all that they can to follow safety procedures when it comes to making sure the train is operating thoroughly. However, equipment malfunction can lead to train accidents. Gates to a railroad track can also be defective or malfunction. Braking failures, glitches in warning lights, and malfunctioning communication equipment are additional factors that may increase the likelihood of a train accident.
- Dangerous Weather: Weather conditions can have a serious and dangerous effect on all modes of travel, including trains. It’s important to consider weather warnings before you decide to travel. Train maintenance employees will usually do all that they can to clear the tracks to avoid disappointment and keep travel ongoing. However, especially when conditions are snowy or icy, there still can be accidents. In weather conditions involving extreme heat, railways have been known to expand and curve, known as “buckling”. This can lead to catastrophic derailments.
- Pedestrian Accidents: Unfortunately, people tend to underestimate the impact of pedestrian accidents on rail travel. Whether accidental or self-inflicted, a pedestrian collision is a serious accident that not only puts the pedestrian in danger but also endangers everyone on board the train.
Common Train Accident Injuries
Train accidents can be incredibly severe and lead to devastating injuries due to the speed, force, and sheer size of the train. Moreover, unlike cars, trains can’t stop quickly to avoid collisions. Passenger trains don’t often provide seat belts to passengers which can make these accidents even more dangerous for anybody on board the train.
A list of the most common train accident injuries include:
- Head injuries, including skull fractures and traumatic brain injuries
- Neck injuries, such as whiplash Injuries
- Broken bones
- Crush injuries
- Amputations
- Severe burns, scarring, or disfigurement
- Internal injuries
- Lacerations, abrasions, and bruising
- Nerve damage
- Back injuries, including spinal cord injuries which can lead to paralysis
- Tissue damage
- Permanent disabilities and impairments
- Death
Train Accident Damages We Will Fight For
Every train accident and every train accident claim is unique, so it’s difficult to estimate what kinds of damages you may receive and their monetary value. Regardless, you deserve to see results for your losses. This includes damages for a wide variety of harms you may have faced as a result of your train accident. The experienced personal injury law team at MI ABOGADO ® will guide you through the process and fight relentlessly for you to see justice for your losses.
Some common types of damages we’ve secured for train accident victims in the past include compensation for:
- Medical bills
- In-home care expenses
- Physical therapy
- Rehabilitation costs
- Disabilities
- Disfigurement
- Lost income
- Reduced earning capacity
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress and mental anguish
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Wrongful death damages
Statute of Limitations for Train Accident Claims in California
Victims injured as a result of train accidents have two years from the date of their accident, or the date their injuries were discovered, to file a personal injury claim in a court of law. These deadlines are called a statute of limitations. The statute of limitations for train accidents may be extended if you tried to file a claim and the defendant left the state, if the victim was under 18 years old at the time of the accident, or if the victim was left mentally or physically incapacitated. However, if the train was operated by a government agency, the victim has 6 months from the date of the accident to file their claim. If you fail to make your claim within the specified time frame, you may lose your right to recover.
How Los Angeles Personal Injury Law Firm MI ABOGADO® Can Help You with Your Train Accident Claim
You may be able to recover from a number of individual entities following a train accident. This includes, but is not limited to, the train company, the railway owner, any negligent railroad employees or train operators, railroad maintenance employees, property owners, train, rail, and equipment manufacturers, and government agencies.
With nearly 300,000 clients served and a 96% success rate, MI ABOGADO® knows a thing or two about personal injury claims. Our expertise runs the gamut of the field of personal injury law, and we have been lauded by many prestigious organizations for our skills in the field. We understand that, after a train accident, you have a lot on your mind, and dealing with the ramifications and rebuilding your life – let alone seeking justice – seems impossible. That’s why we’ve made it our mission to take some of that weight off your shoulders, so you can focus on what really matters: your health, your family, and getting your life back on track.
Who MI ABOGADO® Is
Let MI ABOGADO® take care of the rest. You can expect competent, timely, and responsive advocacy, alongside aggressive representation, backed by real results. Lead Attorney Javaheri worked for big law firms and saw firsthand just how little access clients had to their lawyers. That’s why he founded MI ABOGADO®, where he limits his caseload to ensure that every client can reach out to him any time they need. Bigger isn’t always better. Better service is better.
While you focus on yourself, we’ll fight relentlessly for the maximum possible settlement. If you trust MI ABOGADO® with your train accident claim, our comprehensive services begin by putting our vast network of trusted medical professionals to use to ensure you are receiving the highest standard of care. From there, we begin an in-depth investigation of the accident, interviewing witnesses, collecting every piece of evidence available, and determining who needs to be held accountable for their negligence. We will explore every avenue, carefully crafting the strongest possible case, tailored to your unique circumstances.
That’s when negotiations begin. Our goal is to reach a just settlement out of court, to save you the aggravation, uncertainty, and stress of taking your case to trial. However, if we cannot come to a settlement that addresses the full extent of your losses, we are prepared to take your case to trial if that’s what it takes for you to see justice.
Contact Our Experienced Los Angeles Train Accident Attorney
Our team understands that no amount of money can ever undo the harms you’ve faced following a devastating train accident. However, you have the right to see results for your harm and to hold those at fault accountable. Bringing forward train accident actions can also keep your community safer, as pursuing your case publicly can hold railroad owners, train companies, train operators, and railroad employees to important safety standards.
While our office is based in Los Angeles, we proudly serve clients across the state of California, from San Diego to San Jose, as we have implemented sophisticated technology and have a vast network of trusted medical professionals across the state. Contact us today, and let us get started fighting for you and your best interests.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can be held responsible for my train accident injuries?
The parties who may be held responsible for your train accident injuries can vary depending on the specific circumstances of the accident. Potentially responsible parties can include the train operator, the train company, the owner of the tracks, and manufacturers of defective train parts. An experienced personal injury attorney can evaluate the facts of your case to determine liability.
Are there different types of train accidents?
Yes, there are several different types of train accidents, including derailments, collisions with other trains or vehicles, pedestrian accidents, and crossing accidents. The causes of train accidents can also vary, from operator error and mechanical failure to track defects and signal problems.
What damages can I recover for my train collision injuries?
If you are injured in a train collision, you may be entitled to a variety of damages, including medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and property damage. Additionally, if the accident was caused by the negligence of another party, you may be able to recover punitive damages, which are designed to punish the responsible party and deter similar conduct in the future.
My relative was killed in a Train Accident, do I have a claim for compensation?
If your relative was killed in a train accident, you may be able to recover compensation for your loss through a wrongful death claim. The damages available in a wrongful death claim can include compensation for funeral expenses, loss of income, and loss of companionship and support.
Should I sue for injuries?
If you are injured in a train accident, it may be in your best interest to sue for injuries. An experienced personal injury attorney can help you evaluate the strength of your case, determine the appropriate parties to pursue, and negotiate a fair settlement or take your case to trial if necessary.