Many people travel by train for convenience. They don’t have to worry about the pressures of driving or finding a parking spot and trust the train to get them to their destination on time. Train accidents usually aren’t at the forefront of passengers’ minds. With all the technology and precautions that go into the railways, the train seems unlikely to crash. Unfortunately, train accidents do occur.
Being involved in a train accident can cause a lot of confusion. You will be left wondering how quickly you can recover and who should be held responsible. A South Carolina train accident lawyer from Solomon Law Group, LLC can help you get justice. We’ll work tirelessly on your behalf to get you the compensation you need. We understand that victims of train accidents can suffer from severe injuries that could prevent them from working, including multiple hospital and doctor visits, and living with pain and suffering from a traumatic experience.
Train Accident Statistics
The Bureau of Transportation Statistics with the United States Department of Transportation keeps track of train accidents and breaks down the accidents into three categories: Fatalities, injuries, and accidents. Within those categories, they record instances of derailments, collisions, and other circumstances that hurt someone. While the data includes freight and passenger trains, freights shouldn’t be excluded because they can collide with passenger trains. The data spans from 1980 to 2016.
- 2016 Fatalities. There were eight train-related fatalities. Derailments didn’t cause any fatalities, collisions caused three, and five were due to other circumstances.
- 2016 Injuries. 306 people were injured. 70 were from a derailment, 14 were from a collision, and the remaining 222 were from other incidents.
- 2016 Accidents. The total number of accidents was 1,609. The derailment caused 1,131 accidents, the collision caused 85 accidents, and 393 accidents occurred because of other conditions.
Solomon Law is ready to figure out exactly what happened when looking into train accidents. When we have the full story, we can establish who was at fault and determine how this affects your case.
What Causes Train Accidents?
The Federal Railroad Administration Office of Safety Analysis lists five train accident cause codes. These are the main reasons why train accidents occur.
- Track, Roadbed, and Structure. Issues with track maintenance or design, an unsecured roadbed, or an unsound structure cause train accidents. Combining trains traveling at high speeds with heavy traffic can be too much for the tracks.
- Signal and Communication. Signal and communication issues might not alert passenger trains to the presence of other trains, which could lead to two trains using the same track at the same time.
- Human Factor in Train Operation. Sometimes, the people in charge of running the train can make a mistake that results in an accident. Everything can affect a train ride, from brakes to speed to the employee’s physical condition.
- Mechanical and Electrical Failures. Trains need regular maintenance and inspections to ensure they’re safe for the tracks. Brakes, axles, wheels, and doors can fail to do their jobs and cause an accident.
- Miscellaneous Causes. The rest of the factors that cause train accidents are grouped together as miscellaneous but are still equally serious. Environmental conditions like ice and blizzards can make it difficult for trains to run smoothly and safely. Crossing accidents and loading procedures can cause accidents.
Recent Train Accidents
Late 2017 and early 2018 have already had a few major train accidents that have caused fatalities and injuries. Solomon Law Group has helped victims from some of these accidents file claims. We have proven experience in discovering the reasons behind these collisions.
In December 2017, an Amtrak train in Washington was speeding and derailed. The train was going at 81.1 mph on a curve that required the speed to be 30 mph. Three people died, and many were injured.
On February 1, 2018, a passenger train hit a garbage truck that was sitting on the tracks, causing multiple injuries and at least one death. Members of Congress were on board and were on their way to a legislative retreat.
You may have heard about the Amtrak train accident on February 4, 2018, where a passenger train was diverted onto a track where it collided with an unmanned CSX train. 116 people were injured, and two Amtrak employees lost their lives. The rail switch had diverted the train to a different track, where it collided with the freight train.
Amtrak train accidents have become more common in recent years. We believe that negligence plays a role in many of these wrecks. Our Amtrak train accident lawyers have the ability to figure out the truth behind these cases.
Get Help From a Columbia, SC Train Accident Attorney
Train companies need to be held accountable if they’ve put their passengers at risk or others who have been injured. Standing up for yourself legally will send a clear message that they will be held responsible for their actions and will need to make changes to increase train safety in the future.
But those changes to the future won’t take away your injuries. When it comes to what happened to you, having a train accident lawyer by your side will help you recover damages for your expenses and traumatic experience. Solomon Law Group, LLC is always ready to help those in need. If you’ve been injured in a train collision, get in touch with us by phone or online for a free consultation.