Train Accident Lawyers

Los Angeles Train Accident Attorneys

Although it seems trains are not in use as much as they were years ago, train accidents are still very common in the United States. The most recent accident occurred in 2021, when a pedestrian was killed by an oncoming train north of Los Angeles. Train accidents could be very difficult when trying to prove liability. That is why it is important to hire an experienced train accident attorney.

Trains are most commonly used nowadays to carry goods from one side of California to another as service companies try to keep up with the growing population of Los Angeles. If you or a loved one has been injured in a train accident, contact our skilled attorneys immediately to seek maximum compensation for your injuries.

What Are the Different Types of Train Accidents?

Train accidents could occur in several different ways. Below are some examples of the different types of train accidents that could occur in California.

• Collisions between trains and pedestrians
• Collisions between trains and motor vehicles
• Train derailments (when a train gets off its tracks)
• Collisions between two trains

Sam Heidari has decades of experience fighting for his clients in court, helping his clients receive compensation for medical bills, employment issues caused by the injuries sustained like lost wages or loss of employment, additional therapy needs, and other economic and non-economic damages. Our office has helped injured train passengers and will work to make sure you received the maximum compensation for your injuries. Our Los Angeles train accident injuries have the expertise to file claims on your behalf against defendants.

We understand that being involved in a train accident could result in very severe injuries, and so it is not that easy to be facing physical injuries along with the legal battle. We will handle the legal battles for you to ensure you have one less thing to stress about.

Common Train Accidents

The most common type of accident involving trains is due to train track failures. According to the Federal Railroad Administration, train track failures accounted for almost 45% of all train accidents between January 2000 and February 2015. Reasons as to why a track may Fail include:

• Gauge and elevation issues,
• Broken wheels,
• Train handling,
• Wide Gauge,
• Buckled Tracks,
• Track-train interaction,
• Other axel or journal defects

According to the Department of Transportation, there were 197 total Train Accidents in Los Angeles County, an increase from 192 the year before. Of those, 32 were fatal, almost double the 19 fatalities from the year before. Establishing liability is an important step towards getting compensation for the physical, mental, and emotional damages that you sustained from the train accident. Depending on the cause of the train crash, the liable party could be:

• The company that owns the train and/or track, and hires the driver. Negligence can be proven if the driver lacked the qualifications for their job (training and supervision deficiencies) or if the train did not have the necessary safety checks or follow other regulations.
• The company, or companies, that supply parts and tools for the maintenance of the train can be held liable if the part was faulty or otherwise led to the incident.
• The conductor or other employees can be held personally liable if they personally acted outside of the regulations of the company and state and federal law.

Instances of negligence include when conductors are asleep or distracted during the operation of the train, or are operating the train at a speed that exceeds the safety limit, which brings forth the existing maintenance issues of the train or tracks.

What Should I Do After a Los Angeles Train Accident?

After a train accident, it is important to follow the correct steps to ensure the best possible outcome in a lawsuit against the companies and/or persons responsible.

• If you are seriously injured, seek medical attention immediately.
• Never admit fault. This can and will be used against you when attempting to get compensated for injuries.
• Write down everything you experienced before, during, and after the accident. Take note of everything you saw and heard. You may have heard the squealing of the brakes on the train or horns of cars. Take note of the weather conditions at the time. Every little bit can help in the investigation. If you have your phone handy, take photos of the scene, where you were as well as the accident site.
• Record other’s experiences and what they saw and heard before and during the accident. Try to get their contact details.
• If you were in a motor vehicle that was hit by the train, contact your insurer, and let them know of the accident. However, make sure that you tell them only what is necessary and not go into details. This information can be used by the insurer to invalidate your claim if the liable party is able to prove that you were at fault.
• Keep conversations minimal and never speak to the insurance company or rail company alone. Make sure you have an attorney to handle all communication matters for you. The insurance company is not on your side and will seek as much information as they can to fight liability. They will even seek to pass off liability on you. Do not share your experience on social media. What you say can be used against your case in court. Likewise, limit any conversations with the press that may take interest in this accident/story.