Miami Railroad & Train Accident Attorney
Trains are still used nowadays to transport goods from one place to another. Many people also use trains as a form of transportation, although cars, bicycles and buses are more common. Trains cross roads on railroad tracks. This is where they often interact with cars and other vehicles. These vehicles must stop at railroad tracks when the crossing signals are down. Otherwise, the cars and trains can collide.
Believe it or not, train accidents occur more often than many think. In 2016, there were 2,025 train crashes in the United States. These accidents resulted in 265 fatalities and 798 injuries.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 75 percent of train crashes occur within 25 miles of a person’s home. Half of them occur within just five miles of a person’s home. Train crashes are often deadly. In fact, a person is 20 times more likely to die in a train crash than in a car crash.
Causes of Train Accidents
Motorists and pedestrians are not always responsible for train accidents. In many cases, train conductor error and train track malfunctions cause crashes.
In fact, defects in the track, railbed and structure are responsible for many train accidents. When a train travels on a defective track, the train can derail, causing injuries to passengers and bystanders.
Sometimes signal devices may not work properly. If a train is approaching and the crossing arms do not come down to warn motorists, a person could drive over the track and hit the train.
Environmental conditions and improper loading can also be to blame. For example, heavy winds and rain can cause a train to go off course. Also, a train that is overloaded or carrying an unbalanced load can tip over when going around a curve.
Trains are made of many parts, and it’s not uncommon for one or more of them to experience defects or failure. Brakes, wheels, doors, axles and electrical components can all experience failure, which can render the train inoperable.
There are situations where the train conductor may be at fault. Fatigue, illness and intoxication can impair judgment. If the conductor is speeding, does not brake when needed or otherwise does not handle the train properly, serious accidents can occur.
Hire Experienced Miami Railroad & Train Accident Attorneys for Your Case
If you were involved in a train accident, you are likely struggling with serious injuries. Perhaps a loved one died in a train crash and you are wondering about your legal rights. In either case, it’s important to act quickly to preserve your rights to compensation.
Railroad accidents can be complex. The aggressive Miami train accident attorneys at Pike & Lustig, LLP have extensive experience helping those injured or killed by such crashes. We can help you obtain compensation for medical bills, vehicle damage, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages from the train conductor, train company, railroad company or other liable party. As aggressive litigators, we’re not afraid to go to trial and fight for your rights in the courtroom. Contact Pike & Lustig, LLP today at 305-985-5281 to discuss your case with one of our attorneys.
