Texas Train Accident Lawyer

Train accidents are some of the most serious and devastating there are, due to the amount of destruction and death that occurs as a result. There are approximately 3,000 train accidents in the United States every single year, which result in about 1,000 deaths. These numbers may come as a surprise to you, as we don’t always hear about every single train accident that takes place. Even the most minor of train incidents can result in catastrophic injury or death because of the massive size and weight of trains. As you can imagine, train accident lawsuits are almost always complicated. In most cases, an investigation must take place in order to determine the cause of the accident, which could take anywhere from weeks to months.

Train accident victims and their families are often left to suffer extreme financial losses, physical hardships, and emotional damages. Victims of train accidents range from passengers on the locomotive to pedestrians, railroad workers, and motor vehicle passengers. Given the nature of these types of accidents, it is rare that just one person is impacted. In most cases, an entire community is affected by a train accident, whether the accident occurred because of a chemical spill or the locomotive derailed.

Common Types of Train Accidents

There are many different factors that can lead to a train accident, all of which are serious and can forever impact the lives of passengers. Some of the most common types of train accidents that we see include:

  • Railroad crossing accidents – These incidents typically involve cars or trucks being stuck on the railroad, or pedestrians making poor choices and being run over. We also see people commit suicide by way of train, which can be incredibly emotionally traumatic for the train operators. Some of the common reasons for railroad crossing accidents include:
    • Defective signals
    • Malfunctioning gates
    • Failure to sound the horn when approaching crossings
    • Failure to use lights when approaching crossings
    • Trains parked too close to a crossing
    • Crossings obstructed by objects
    • Objects sticking out from the train
  • Derailments – These types of accidents can cause the most widespread damage and destruction. In most cases, derailments occur because the operator failed to follow safety protocols. In addition to not adhering to safety standards, derailments may occur because of the following:
    • Faulty tracks
    • Operator distraction
    • Malfunctioning equipment
    • Too much or uneven cargo weight
    • Obstacles on the tracks
    • Objects protruding from the train
    • Non-collision – Not all train accidents involve a collision with another vehicle or person. Sadly, we often see pedestrians and bystanders slip and fall under trains

These are just a few examples of the common types of train accidents that we see.

Contact Green Law Firm Today

Because of the amount of destruction and death these types of accidents can cause, it is imperative you have an experienced train accident attorney by your side. In many cases victims of train accidents must take on the railroad company or the company that employs the operator, which is no easy feat. We understand how stressful and overwhelming it may be to be faced with the decision to pursue a train accident lawsuit, which is why we are here for you. If you have lost a loved one in a Texas train accident or would like to learn more about your rights as the victim of a train accident, please contact Green Law Firm today.