Train Accident Lawyer in Beaumont Serving Throughout Texas

We may not hear about train accidents very often but when they happen, catastrophic injury or death is almost certain to occur. There are also many more claims brought against railroad companies that we never hear about because they don’t make the headlines. Not every train accident injury involves a collision or derailment. Some of the most common types of accidents involving trains happen on the platform or inside the train car, but for those victims who are affected, the damage is no less severe.

At the Gilbert Adams Law Offices, our train accident attorneys help Texas injury victims and their families recover compensation for their losses from railroad companies and other parties responsible for the harm they have suffered. Train accident lawsuits can be complex, requiring experienced legal representation for any hope of success. If you or someone you love was injured in a train accident, our knowledgeable Texas train accident legal team is ready to help.

Types of Train Accidents

There are many different ways innocent victims can be injured by trains or as a result of the negligence of train operators. Train accident injury claims typically involve one of the following situations:

• Derailment or collision. Derailment occurs when the train jumps off or separates from the tracks. A train-on-train collision occurs when two trains heading in opposite directions or perpendicular to one another collide. These sorts of accidents are often caused by engineering errors, defective or malfunctioning train parts or tracks, failure to clear derailed cars or other debris from the tracks, poorly-maintained rail crossings, or train operator negligence.
• Collision with vehicle. When a passenger car, motorcycle or truck is stuck on a track as a train passes, the car and the passengers within are likely to suffer severe damage. Vehicles can wind up on a train track at the wrong time for a number of reasons, such as a failure of the train signal or crossing signal, inadequate signs, poor lighting, or driver negligence. Hitting a passenger car can also lead to train derailment, injuring the train passengers.
• Pedestrian collision. Pedestrians can accidentally find themselves on a train track due to poor signage, ineffective barriers, defective signals or crossings, and other inadequate safety measures. Pedestrians struck by trains are likely to suffer a catastrophic or fatal injury.
• Train car accident. Many injuries occur in the train car, rather than via collision between the train and another object. Passengers may trip and fall due to a malfunctioning door, too much space between the platform and the train door, uneven flooring, or a wet floor on the train car. Slips, trips, and falls are common, especially when a ride becomes unreasonably bumpy.
• Platform accidents. Railway companies can also be held liable for accidents such as slips, trips, and falls that occur on the platform while a passenger is embarking, disembarking, or waiting to board. If the incident was caused by a hazard created by the railway or a hazard that should have been remedied by the railway operator, they may be held liable for injuries that result.

F.E.L.A. and Railway Workers

Injured railroad workers have a different pathway to recovery than the traditional workers’ compensation route. Whereas most workers around the country seek recovery through their employer’s workers’ comp insurance, railway workers are entitled to file a lawsuit under the Federal Employers Liability Act (F.E.L.A.). Workers are not limited to the types of damages offered under workers’ comp protections, but they do have a higher burden of proof to obtain compensation.

Seeking compensation under F.E.L.A. is different from a workers’ comp claim or a standard personal injury claim and requires a special understanding of railway and injury law. Our seasoned Texas railway worker attorney has years of experience helping railroad workers and other injured workers maximize their compensation under all available legal claims. Speak with an experienced F.E.L.A. lawyer to find out how you can bring a claim under federal law and how to pursue your strongest options for a full financial recovery.

Help is Available for Your Texas Train Accident Injury Claim

If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in a train accident in southeast Texas or statewide, contact the dedicated, trial-ready train accident attorneys at the Gilbert Adams Law Offices for a free consultation. Call 409-835-3000, or contact us online for immediate assistance.