Orange County Train Accident Attorneys
Train accidents can inflict incredible hardship in your life, causing lifelong injuries and other damages.
Legal Help for Train Accident Victims in OC
Being involved in a derailment or collision while on a train can be a horrific, life-altering event. Not only can an accident with a locomotive cause you or a loved one serious injury, but it can also result in property damage, high medical bills, and even wrongful death.
If the negligence of a train operator or company has harmed you, you have the right to pursue legal action. The experienced team at Allen Flatt Ballidis & Leslie is here to help. Since 1974, we have been assisting Orange County residents and visitors after all sorts of serious accidents. Call our personal injury attorneys today at (949) 752-7474 and see if we can do the same for you.
What Causes Train Accidents?
Trains are enormous and complex vehicles. There is a lot that can go wrong and lead to an accident, including these types of issues:
- Poor maintenance of the train
- Train derailment, due to speeding around curves or a defect on the track
- Collisions with other trains, cars, cyclists, and even pedestrians
- Distracted, tired, or intoxicated train conductor
- Unsecured cargo, leading to spills
- Overloaded or improperly attached train cars
- Defective signs and signals in and around tracks
- Violations of Federal Railroad Administration standards
Who Is Liable?
Train accident litigation is complicated, considering the fact that there are multiple victims, liable parties, and federal and state investigators involved. It is common for claims to be filed against various parties after an accident, and parties who may hold liability for a train accident include:
- The operator of the train
- The parent company of the train
- Parties responsible for the maintenance of the train, tracks, safety signs, or loading cargo onto the train
- A pedestrian and/or vehicle owner who may have caused the accident
How Do Third Parties Contribute to Train Accidents?
Often, train accidents are not the fault of the train at all. Trains always have the legal right-of-way when coming down the tracks. Due to their large size and massive weight, trains cannot brake like other modes of transportation. According to Operation Lifesaver, it takes an eight-car passenger train traveling at 79 mph over a mile to safely come to a complete stop, after the brakes have been initiated. When pedestrians or vehicles are obstructing oncoming trains, they should be held liable for accidents. Here are some of the ways individuals can be held responsible for train accidents:
- A pedestrian walking on a train track or trying to cross the tracks with an oncoming train
- A car crossing a train track with an oncoming trains
- A person trying to hop on or off a train while it is moving
- A passenger or pedestrian interfering with safety equipment
- A passenger causing a disturbance that leads to injuries or an accident
Compensation Available to Train Accident Victims
Victims who have been involved in train accidents are entitled to pursue legal action in order to receive compensation for the harm they endure. This includes:
- Lost wages
- Medical bills
- Property damage
- Lost earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Wrongful death
If you or a loved one has been involved in a train accident in Orange County, you need legal representation to fight for the justice you deserve.
Contact the Team That Has Been Fighting for Accident Victims for 40 Years
Our experienced California mass transit accident lawyers at Allen Flatt Ballidis & Leslie have been fighting for accident victims for over four decades. Train accidents can result in injuries with lifelong consequences to victims, and we are here to help you through the difficult times. Our veteran legal team will work tirelessly to get you the compensation you deserve, as well as help you and your family move forward with your lives.
After a train accident, contact Allen Flatt Ballidis & Leslie to explore how we can help. Call us at (949) 752-7474 to schedule a free case evaluation today.
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