Injury Lawyers Representing People in Illinois, New York, and Arizona

Train accidents, due to the speed, size, and force of a moving train, can have catastrophic consequences for everyone involved. If you or someone close to you has been involved in a train accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. At Tony S. Kalogerakos, Esq.-Injury Lawyers, our train accident lawyers understand how to navigate these complex claims and hold accountable all of the parties responsible for your injuries. We know that dealing with a train accident is not only painful but also often stressful, which is why we will handle your case with the utmost compassion at every step of the way.

Train Accidents Have Significant Consequences

According to the National Transportation Safety Bureau, a person or vehicle in the United States is hit by a train in a rail accident nearly every two hours. The U.S. Department of Transportation reports that there are 5,800 train-car crashes throughout the country each year, causing 600 deaths and about 2,300 injuries. Train accidents can have a variety of causes, including:

• Poor maintenance of the tracks or trains;
• Derailment;
• Train operator error;
• Faulty train crossing signals;
• Poorly lighted train stations;
• Equipment and signal malfunctions; or
• Railroad companies ignoring safety regulations.

In Illinois and many other states, trains play a major role in a lot of people’s commutes to and from work. Both railways and commuter lines are considered common carriers, which means that they transport passengers for a fee. Common carriers owe their passengers an extremely high duty of care compared to drivers of ordinary cars or trucks on the road. If you have suffered any type of injury while riding on a train, a train accident attorney in the Skokie area may be able to help you pursue significant financial compensation for your harm by establishing negligence.

Typically, to prove negligence, you would need to show by a preponderance of the evidence that the defendant owed you a duty of care, the defendant breached that duty of care, and the defendant’s breach was a direct and proximate cause of the train accident and your resulting injuries. For example, if a railroad conductor is intoxicated while operating the train, he or she may cause an accident. This negligence on the part of the conductor could then be imputed to the railroad company, since the conductor’s negligence took place within the scope of employment.

In many railroad accident cases, a number of parties may be liable. A skilled Skokie train accident attorney can examine your case and help you identify each and every potentially liable party.

Meanwhile, the Federal Employees Liability Act (FELA) can provide an avenue for an injured worker to recover compensation for any railway-related injuries. These employees may have a lawsuit under this law as well as a claim against an at-fault party, so multiple claims may actually exist.

Train accident victims can suffer devastating physical injuries that require ongoing medical care. These victims may also lose the ability to work or earn income. Depending on the nature and extent of the harm suffered, victims of train accidents may be able to recover a variety of damages, such as medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost wages, property damage, disability, costs of future care, rehabilitation costs, and any other damages related to the accident.

If you have lost a loved one in a train accident, you may be able to recover compensation for medical bills, funeral expenses, burial costs, loss of future inheritance, loss of parental guidance, pain and suffering, loss of companionship, and more. Wrongful death claims are complicated, and you should reach out to an attorney if you are contemplating such a claim.

Explore Your Options with Our Train Accident Lawyer Team

If you or your loved one was injured in a train accident, you may be entitled to financial support for your injuries. While no amount of money can undo the harm that you have suffered, the money can pay for the medical bills and other costs that often pile up after such an accident. Our experienced attorneys can protect your rights at every step of the way. We represent people throughout Illinois and the United States.

To discuss your case in more detail with a train accident attorney at no charge, contact Tony S. Kalogerakos, Esq.-Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation and a case evaluation today.