Train Accident Attorney

Train Derailment

Train derailments are among the most common and potentially devastating train accidents. They occur when a train leaves the tracks due to various factors such as excessive speed, track defects, mechanical failures, or operator error.

The consequences of a derailment can be severe, leading to injuries or fatalities among passengers, crew members, and bystanders. In addition to the immediate impact, derailments can also result in significant property damage and environmental hazards, particularly if hazardous materials are being transported.

Train derailments can occur for multiple reasons, often stemming from a combination of human error and infrastructure issues. For instance, inadequate maintenance of tracks, bridges, or switches can increase the likelihood of derailments.

Moreover, adverse weather conditions like heavy rain, snow, or extreme temperatures can also exacerbate track defects, leading to derailments. Human factors such as fatigue, distraction, or inadequate training may also contribute to derailments by causing errors in judgment or operational mistakes.

The aftermath of a train derailment often involves complex investigations to determine the root cause and prevent future incidents through improved safety regulations and infrastructure upgrades.

Train Collisions

Train collisions happen for a variety of reasons, including signal malfunctions, miscommunications by dispatch and crew members, or mechanical failures.

Collisions often result in significant damage to the trains involved, as well as injuries or fatalities to passengers and crew members. The force generated by the collision can cause cars to derail or overturn, leading to secondary accidents and further injuries.

Train collisions pose a significant risk to railway safety and require stringent safety measures to prevent them. Advanced signaling systems, such as Positive Train Control (PTC), are typically utilized in order to help mitigate the risk of collisions by automatically controlling train speeds and providing real-time monitoring of train movements.

Additionally, comprehensive training programs for railway personnel on collision avoidance strategies and emergency response protocols, in addition to regular maintenance and inspections of railway infrastructure are crucial to identifying and preventing train collisions. If these protocols aren’t followed, there’s a good chance that a collision is imminent.

Train Crossing Accidents

Train crossing accidents, also known as railroad crossing accidents, happen when a train collides with a vehicle, pedestrian, or other obstruction at a railway crossing.

Though these accidents frequently occur due to negligence or recklessness, such as drivers attempting to beat the train or failing to obey warning signals, poor visibility, inadequate signage, or malfunctioning crossing signals can also contribute to significant injuries or death at railroad crossings.

Reducing the frequency and severity of train crossing accidents requires intentional and regulated engineering, education, and enforcement.

Several Missouri laws require the installation (and regular maintenance) of improved warning systems, such as flashing lights, gates, and audible alarms at railway crossings to alert drivers and pedestrians of approaching trains. If inadequate warning systems are present at the scene of the accident, the parties responsible for failing to warn motorists or pedestrians of an oncoming train may be found liable.

Passenger Injuries

Apart from the massive wreckage involved in train crashes or accidents, there is an entirely separate range of incidents that can occur while onboard a train. These injuries may result from slips, trips, and falls due to sudden movements or uneven surfaces within the train cars or injuries that occur during emergency evacuations, collisions, or derailments.

Common passenger injuries include broken bones, concussions, whiplash, and soft tissue injuries. In severe cases, passengers may experience traumatic injuries or fatalities, particularly if they are not properly secured or if safety protocols are not followed during emergencies.

Implementing required safety measures such as secure handrails, non-slip flooring, and clear signage can help reduce the risk of slips, trips, and falls onboard trains.

Providing adequate training to railway staff in emergency response procedures and passenger assistance techniques is mandatory for ensuring prompt and effective interventions during critical situations. When crew members ignore their training, however, it can result in devastating consequences.