Millions of people use passenger trains every day to move across state lines and the county into and out of cities. Unfortunately, about 3000 passenger train accidents occur every year, leading to nearly 1,000 deaths, and thousands of people are injured. Due to the massive size and weight, severe/catastrophic injuries needing surgery and months of rehabilitation can occur even in a relatively minor train accident in Atlanta. The most severe accidents cause permanent disabilities or leave families devastated. If you or a loved one has been injured in a passenger train accident, you’re not alone. Our passenger train accident attorney Atlanta at Singleton Law Firm can help you.
We fight for your right
We understand that the astronomical medical bills, funeral expenses, and the prospect of a life that can never be the same can significantly burden the victims and their families. For more than 30 years, train accident victims entitled to compensation have trusted Singleton Law Firm to fight for their rights and justice. We will fight aggressively and tirelessly to ensure that you recover the compensation that you deserve.
Fighting for the rights of accident victims forms a solid foundation of our entire legal practice. We are ready to face insurance companies or the government on behalf of the victims.
Feel free to schedule a free, no-obligation with our Atlanta passenger train accident attorney to discuss your case and options and decide what to do next. Our lawyer will guide you through every step to ensure you get everything right from the start.
Train Accident Victims
A passenger train accident may involve just one person, such as when someone is run over by a train or slips off a platform, or an entire community suffers due to the accident’s consequences, such as a toxic chemical spill.
The following are the likely victims of passenger train accidents:
- Train passengers
- Railroad workers
- Pedestrians and bystanders
- Drivers and passengers of other vehicles
- Causes of Passenger Train Accidents
Passenger train operators such as MARTA and Amtrak have a legal responsibility to ensure their passengers’ safety. They must take extra care and put measures in place to avoid accidents and subsequent injuries. Failure to do this would lead to accidents. Carelessness/negligence of other drivers and pedestrians can also cause train accidents.
Most Common Causes of Passenger Train Accidents
- Signal defects
- Track defects
- Speeding
- Human error on the part of the train operator or the driver of the vehicle
- Lack of proper warnings
- Defective train, crossing, or signaling equipment
- Negligence due to the fatigue of railroad crew or conductor
Common Injuries Suffered In Passenger Train Accidents
Due to their large size and weight, passenger trains can cause more severe injuries than cars. A train weighing hundreds of tons and traveling at high speeds can take a mile to slow down. Therefore, train operators often become aware of a hazard when it is too late to stop and avoid an impending collision. When trains derail, they can tip over, throw passengers inside the train car, and catch on fire. Typical injuries in passenger train accidents include:
- Spinal cord injuries causing paralysis
- Neck injuries
- Fatalities
- Head injuries, including traumatic brain injuries
- Slip and fall injuries, such as sprains, broken bones, and back injuries that occur inside a train car or on a platform
- Injuries caused by being crushed
It’s essential to seek immediate medical attention if you have been involved in a passenger train accident. Even if you do not think you have been seriously hurt. You are more likely to have a successful recovery if you get medical attention soonest. Remember, some injuries become worse if left untreated. You should also contact an Alpharetta Passenger Train Accident Lawyer at Singleton Law Firm LLC. to help you file a claim or case.
Is The Railroad Legally Responsible For The Accident?
In most cases, yes. Train operators have a high duty to maintain their trains and lines and keep passengers safe. The laws related to train operator liability are complicated. Several factors can cause a train accident, and all of them are not within the train operator’s control.
However, train operators may be held responsible if they could’ve prevented the accident through proper maintenance and care or if the conductor or engineer’s negligence caused the accident.
At Singleton Law Firm, we know these tactics and how to deal with them. Your Alpharetta Passenger Train Accident Lawyer will gather the evidence needed to establish liability. We will ensure you have a thorough medical evaluation so we can show the insurance companies the potential cost of your injuries.
What If I Am A Railroad Employee?
Railroad workers can suffer serious injuries in the passenger train accident. However, the procedure for recovering compensation is different. Railroad workers are subject to the Federal Employees’ Liability Act (FELA). It is created to ensure that any injured workers get proper compensation.
Under FELA, workers must prove that their injuries were a result of the negligence of their employer. Railroads have attorneys working for them. That is why it is essential to have an experienced Alpharetta Passenger Train Accident Lawyer helping you claim you make under FELA.
What Compensation Can I Recover In A Passenger Train Accident Case?
In Atlanta, Georgia, you are entitled to recover 100 percent of your costs and damages due to a passenger train accident. In most cases, you’ll not need to file a lawsuit or go to court to recover those costs. An experienced and reputable passenger train accident attorney Atlanta at Singleton Law Firm can help you file a claim to recover the compensation you deserve.
When we file lawsuits in court, the victims are usually awarded the following damages:
- Prescribed medication
- Medical costs such as hospitals, doctors, and surgery
- Rehabilitative or physical therapy
- Lost wages if you missed work due to the accident.
- Wrongful death, if the accident led to the death of a family member.
Also, the courts may award you even more damages if you have suffered severe injuries. These may include damages to compensate for a lifelong disability and pain and suffering.
Your injury or loss will have lifelong consequences, and money can’t undo it. However, you can rebuild your life with the financial compensation you receive, as it will help you maintain financial stability.
Contact Our Atlanta Passenger Train Accident Attorney Today
Tragic outcomes often arise from passenger train accidents in Atlanta. You shouldn’t bear the burden of paying your care’s cost alone if you or a loved one has been injured in a train accident.
Our Atlanta passenger train accident lawyer at Singleton Law Firm is ready to fight aggressively to ensure you remain financially stable while you recover from injuries. We will focus on securing financial compensation for you. Call us today at (770) 889-6010 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free, no-obligation today.
