Train Derailment Injury Lawyer in Washington, DC
Derailments, Crashes & Victims’ Rights
Although train accidents can involve many different types of incidents – including those that do not involve collisions – most people associate accidents involving trains with derailments. A derailment occurs when a train runs off its rails. In some cases, derailments can also involve trains departing from the track entirely.
Most derailments are not serious in nature and do not result in crashes or significant injuries. Experts compare this to tripping while walking, getting back up, and continuing on one’s way. Still, derailments have been the cause of some of the most tragic train accidents in history.
Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. represents victims and families who’ve experienced losses as a result of train accidents. Over the years, our lawyers have successfully resolved many train accident and derailment cases.
To discuss your case during a FREE consultation, contact our firm today.
Causes of Train Derailment
According to data from the Federal Railroad Administration, derailments can be caused by a number of factors, including collisions with other objects, mechanical failure, and human or environmental factors.
- Derailments are most often caused by equipment failures, such as broken rails and defective wheels.
- Broken rails and welds are over twice as likely to cause derailment than any other factor.
- Environmental factors such as flash floods, rock slides, and high winds can cause derailment.
- Human factors that can lead to derailment include: improperly set track switches, shifted loads, poor train handling, vandalism, and track obstructions.
Train derailments commonly result in the disruption of service and operation of railways systems. In the most serious cases, they can cause serious and fatal injuries or place local communities at risk if the incident involves hazardous cargo.
One of the most recent and significant examples of train derailment involves the May 12 th Amtrak accident. According to the black box data recorder, the train was traveling over twice the 50 mph speed limit before reaching the curve where it derailed. The derailment resulted in a serious crash that caused at least seven deaths and numerous injuries.
Injured in a train accident? Discuss your case today.
If you or a family member has been injured in a train derailment or any type of train accident, you may have the right to recover your damages by filing a civil lawsuit. Our attorneys at Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. have handled many personal injury and wrongful death cases involving train accidents, and we are prepared to help you learn more about your right to compensation.
For a FREE consultation, call (202) 659-8600.
