Whether you were injured in a train accident in Houston, Texas or anywhere else in the United States, the law firm of Patrick Daniel Law and our highly experienced Houston train accident attorneys are here for you. Railroad companies provide a great service to many US citizens and businesses, delivering goods, food, lumber, chemicals, etc. across the continent, but sometimes railroad companies can be negligent, use old or worn out equipment or fail to operate in a safe manner. This puts the public at risk of serious injury, for those who cross the railroad tracks and those who live near the tracks. It’s the railroad’s responsibility to uphold public safety and obey the law as it relates to the railroad industry.
Patrick Daniel Law’s expert train accident attorneys handle these public safety cases and that is main focus. This allows us to zero on helping those in the public who were injured in a railroad or train accident. Ultimately, by holding the railroad companies accountable for unscrupulous and unlawful acts, the public at large is kept more safe at the railroad tracks.
“Patrick Daniel Law might as well be the only law firm in Houston. Everyone else just does not compare to their dedication and quality of work.” –Tanner L.
If you were injured by a train, or experienced another type of railroad-related injury, contact us online or call (713) 999-6666 and speak to one of our Houston railroad accident attorneys at Patrick Daniel Law. We focus solely on personal injury cases and we’re experienced trial attorneys, ready to go to the courtroom when necessary. As a boutique law firm, we offer unrivaled personal attention to our clients and we are there for you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Train accidents can be catastrophic. They often lead to serious injury and even death. The unbelievably massive weight of trains is what leads to these deadly railroad accidents and injuries. In fact, there is even concern over “bomb trains” where rail cars filled with oil and volatile gasses put whole communities at risk. In fact, in a Canadian town a train accident occurred where a whole town was decimated and 47 people died (source).
Due to the catastrophic nature of these accidents, seeking a railroad accident attorney is the most prudent decision. The average person, and even the average attorney, is not going to be able to get to the bottom of why the train accident occurred. Only an experienced accident deconstructionist is going to be able to determine the exact cause of the accident.
Many law firms and lawyers, let alone individuals, do not have the amount of capital to be able to conduct such an intense investigation. These investigations take a lot of time too. Not to mention, you’ll probably have an influx of lawyers, journalists, insurance companies and other concerned parties calling you non-stop and it’s best to have someone else to deal with all the headaches. An experienced railroad injury attorney can hold this baggage for you, so you don’t have to.
According to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics there were 1,848 train accidents in 2019. The majority of these accidents (~70%) were derailments and the rest were caused by collisions (6%) and “other” reasons. A derailment doesn’t sound like a major issue until you think about the consequences of a derailment. If a train dumps cargo or hazardous wastes into an area the result could be catastrophic. Not to mention the fact that many of these trains carry explosive chemicals or other combustible materials (as mentioned previously, see above: “bomb trains”).
Train accidents can be caused by a variety of ways. However, it is sad to say that many train accidents are actually preventable. In fact, most train accidents are caused by negligence, improper judgment and other types of human error.
Here are some of the most common causes of train accidents:
Most of the injuries related to train accidents are the result of derailments or collisions. The injuries parties include employees, passengers, trespassers and other non-trespassers. Non-trespassers make up the vast majority of all train accidents followed by employees, passengers, and then trespassers. Surprisingly, the majority of people injured by trains are not injured at the crossing. Roughly 90% of cases are of people not crossing the tracks, while only 10% of cases involve injuries during the crossing of railroad tracks (source).
Although most accidents do not occur during the crossing of tracks, motorists are at high risk of serious injuries if they collide with a train. In fact, according to Operation Lifesaver:
“A motorist is almost 20 times more likely to die in a crash involving a train than in a collision involving another motor vehicle. “
Always be careful when crossing the tracks when operating a motor vehicle. Don’t ever try to beat the train by speeding ahead of it. Also, never try to go past the crossing guards, they are there for a reason. Use common sense at all time when crossing the railroad tracks. Lastly, be sure to always use all your senses to try to detect a train near the crossing, especially by slowing down, rolling down the window and listening carefully for an oncoming train.
Train accidents can result in nearly any type of personal injury. Although train accident passengers are less likely to die than bus passengers, car passengers or taxis, or even boats, trains are still incredibly dangerous. Train accident victims can suffer from broken bones, internal bleeding, brain injuries, first, second and third degree burns, spinal injuries, lacerations, amputations, paralysis and death.
Train accidents are usually much more catastrophic than other types of injuries. However, the degree of severity determines the amount you can claim in compensation. For instance, a toe injury may settle around $9,000-$11,000 while a foot amputation due to a train may settle for closer to $100,000. Though, many factors are taken into consideration to conclude the amount in damages that can be removed, including the level of neglect by the railroad company or the railroad worker. Also, the injured party’s level of negligence is also taken into consideration. Too many factors go into the determination of damages that are awarded from a train accident injury and ultimately each case depends on the unique circumstances of the case.
According to the Federal Railroad Administration, Harris County has a total of 31 grade crossing incidents over the last decade. Of these incidents, only two incidents were fatal and both incidents involved trespassers. Approximately 30% of these incidents were highway-railroad incidents. Highway-railroad incidents are where the highway is at the exact same level as the train track and no incline is involved, also known as “level crossings” in some other countries.
The good news is that you already have. Patrick Daniel Law’s Houston train accident attorneys represent train accident victims in Texas, Louisiana, Wisconsin, and all across the United States. Our attorneys are expert train accident attorneys and trial lawyers, ready to go to the courtroom to represent you. We don’t cut corners when it comes to our cases and we are there for you every single step of the way, day or night. If you need us, we’re only a phone call away. If you were injured in a train accident and would like a free consultation, call (713) 999-6666 or contact us online and we’ll call you back.
Remember, your train accident attorney in Houston, or anywhere else, is only as good as his or her ability to be there for you, both legally and personally. Patrick Daniel Law treats our clients as family members. We want you help you to heal after something as serious as a train accident injury and take the weight off of your shoulders. You shouldn’t have to face any more burdens after such a serious injury and we’re happy to help you to make your life whole again.