According to the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) Office of Safety Analysis, 297 injuries and 11 fatalities occurred following the 1,758 train accidents that happened in the U.S. in 2013. Of these incidents, 161 involved train collisions, and 1,251 completely derailed. Due to the size, speed, and weight difference between trains and other forms of travel such as motorcycles or cars, accidents involving trains are often much more devastating. If you have been injured in a train accident, a Kansas train accident attorney can inform you of your legal options and help determine who should be held responsible for your condition
Depending on the circumstances surrounding the train accident, injuries or even death can occur. For example, should the train derail, every passenger onboard may be affected. Conversely, should an individual slip off a platform and land in front of a forward-moving train, that individual may be the only one to sustain severe injuries. For this reason, a Kansas train accident attorney can represent all types of victims including railroad workers, passengers or drivers near the accident, bystanders, and passengers on the locomotive itself.
Consider seeking legal counsel from a Kansas train accident attorney if you were involved in a train accident that occurred due to one of the following common factors:
- Trains parked too close to a crossing
- Objects protruding from the train
- Crossings obstructed by foreign objects, trees or plants
- Defective gates or signals
- Trains that fail to sound their horns or flash their lights when approaching stations or crossings
- Faulty tracks or equipment
- Obstacles on tracks
- Trains that are carrying too much cargo
A Kansas train accident attorney can investigate the incident, interview medical experts, speak to witnesses, and help victims determine who should be held responsible for the injuries and damages caused by the crash. Although many initially believe that a train accident is always a conductor’s fault, other parties such as the owner of the train, the train’s mechanic, an employee, or a car or individual on the tracks may be liable for deaths or injuries that occur.
Do You Need a Kansas Train Accident Attorney?
If you or someone you love has been injured in a train accident and you are interested in pursuing a claim for compensation, Attorney Group for Kansas can help. We are currently providing free case evaluations to those who feel as though they may have a case. We can answer your questions and connect you with an affiliated Kansas train accident attorney. He or she can help you seek the compensation to which you may be entitled including medical expenses, pain and suffering, and loss of past or future earnings if you are unable to return to work following your injury. Call today
