Were you hurt in a train accident in Sacramento? If so, the Northern California trial attorneys of the Demas Law Group want to hear from you. We are committed to seeking justice and compensation for those who’ve been hurt in accidents like these. We are ready to put our skill and experience to work for you.
In a single recent year, a total of 1,836 train accidents took place in the United States. In these accidents, 193 injuries and eight deaths were reported. Because trains have long stopping distances, they can destroy anything that obstructs their paths. They cannot swerve. They can only follow the tracks. A locomotive engineer can apply the emergency brakes in hopes of bringing the train to a halt, but some trains need over a mile to come to a complete stop.
Whether they are derailments, collisions, obstructed views, faulty crossing gates, or any other type of accident, train accidents can cause severe injuries and even loss of life.
If you’ve been injured in a railroad accident that wasn’t your fault, you may be overwhelmed by the aftermath. With injuries, stress, lost work, and mounting medical bills, you may be unsure of how to get the compensation you deserve. That’s where we come in.
The attorneys at Demas Law Group, P.C. are ready to help you seek justice. Schedule a free, no-obligation consultation by filling out our online form or calling us today.
Types and Causes of Railroad Crossing Accidents
Some common kinds of train accidents include:
- Colliding trains – Significant and catastrophic injuries and damage can occur when two or more trains crash into each other.
- Derailments – In derailment accidents, one or more of a train’s cars leave their position on the train tracks. Not only are railroad engineers and passengers in grave danger in these accidents, but any surrounding buildings or residential areas could be at risk of being hit by a derailed train. Trains hauling flammable or toxic substances pose a particular risk.
- Collisions with cars – It is extremely dangerous for drivers to attempt to cross train tracks when a train is approaching. Drivers may also get stuck on train tracks in traffic backups. Since trains can need more than a mile to come to a complete stop, collisions with vehicles often end in tragedy.
- Collisions with pedestrians – When pedestrians accidentally cross over or trip on train tracks, it is unlikely that an approaching train can stop in time to avoid hitting them. Serious injuries or death can occur in these tragic accidents.
Many factors can contribute to the occurrence of these and other types of railroad accidents. Causes of railroad accidents include:
- Human errors
- Mechanical failures
- Defective tracks
- Equipment defects
- Signal failures
- Brake failures
- Obstacles on the tracks
- Overloaded cargo
What to Do After You Have Been in a California Railroad Accident
If you’ve been hurt in a railroad accident in California, there are several steps you should take to ensure your safety and security. First and foremost, seek medical attention. Even if you don’t yet feel that you’ve been seriously injured, getting an evaluation from a medical professional can identify serious injuries that have not yet shown symptoms. Adrenaline can prevent any initial surges of pain or other signs that something is wrong.
If you are able, you should document the accident with as many photos as possible. Make sure to document the position of the train cars, obstacles on the tracks, signals and crossings, and weather conditions.
You should speak with an experienced personal injury attorney as soon as possible. A knowledgeable California railroad accident injury lawyer will be able to help you create a plan to pursue the compensation you deserve for your injuries.
Types of Injuries You Could Be Compensated for After a Railroad Accident
If you’ve been injured in a railroad accident, you may be entitled to multiple types of compensation for your losses. With the legal assistance of an experienced personal injury lawyer, you could be compensated for lost wages from time off work and medical bills due to your injuries.
Examples of injuries from a train accident include:
- Traumatic brain injuries – Any damage to the brain could have a lasting impact on the victim’s life and livelihood. Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) often require a lifetime of treatment and care.
- Spinal cord injuries – When the spinal cord is damaged in an accident, there is a risk of severe consequences, including partial or total paralysis.
- Neck, back, and shoulder injuries, including whiplash – Whiplash occurs when ligaments and tissues in the neck and shoulders are damaged. Whiplash can be very painful, and it can also lead to more chronic issues such as memory loss.
- Broken bones – In any accident involving heavy machinery and moving vehicles, broken bones are an unfortunate possibility. Passengers can sustain broken bones, which can lead to prolonged pain and extensive recovery time.
- External and internal bruising – If you’ve been hurt in a railroad accident, one of the first visible signs may be cuts and bruises. Most external bruises heal relatively quickly, but bruising of the internal organs cannot be immediately seen and can cause issues with their functions down the line.
- Lacerations and deep cuts – Like bruises, most surface-level cuts from railroad accident will heal within a few weeks, but deep cuts can cause serious pain and require medical intervention such as stitches.
If you’ve sustained any of these injuries or any other type of injury in a railroad accident, give us a call as soon as possible to discuss your legal options and form a plan of action for getting you the compensation you need to heal.
California Train Accident Statistics
California leads the country in preventable deaths involving trains. In just one recent year, there were nearly 700 train-related injuries and 119 fatalities reported. The Bay Area, in particular, has many busy railways traveling through its highly populated areas and accounted for 20% of these casualties.
According to the Federal Railroad Administration, collisions at railroad crossings increased between 2015 and 2016 in five main Southern California counties. Crashes almost doubled from 2015 to 2016, increasing from 22 to 41.
How Can a Railroad Accident Attorney Help Me?
If you’ve been hurt in a train accident in the Sacramento area, don’t hesitate to contact Demas Law Group, P.C. for help. We’ve recovered millions of dollars for our clients, and we want to help you, too.
We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you won’t pay us a penny unless and until we win your case. To schedule your free, no-obligation consultation, call us or reach out to us online today.
