Florida Train Accident Attorneys

Train accidents can be catastrophic events that leave dozens of people wounded, such as in the event of a derailment of a packed train car. However, injuries suffered in train-related accidents can be small, individual events that are nevertheless devastating for those involved.

When a passenger is injured due to careless errors by the companies operating trains, then those companies may owe accident victims compensation. Seeking damages from a large corporation such as Amtrak or Tri-Rail can feel overwhelming. Without legal representation, the playing field is far from level, and accident victims can walk away empty-handed or get coerced into taking far less than they deserve to settle their claims quickly.

When you’ve been hurt in a train accident, it’s critical to choose the right attorney to help you get money for your injuries. Meldon Law has the team with the right experience to help you get the compensation you deserve after a train accident. Our team of tenacious investigators and experienced litigators will build a case that the insurance company cannot ignore. Contact Meldon Law after a train accident to discuss your case with a knowledgeable Florida train accident attorney.

What causes train accidents?

The Federal Railroad Administration’s Office of Safety Analysis tracks the number of accidents occurring on America’s trains and railroads. According to their data, there is an average of over 11,500 train accidents or incidents every year, with roughly 800 of these resulting in a fatality. In the state of Florida, there has been an average of 300 nonfatal injuries involving trains each year, and over 50 fatal injuries.

Why do these injuries happen?

• Insufficient warning or markings at crossings: Many train crossings use lift gates and lights to indicate a rail crossing, but some remain unmarked or insufficiently marked. This is especially true in rural areas. When a rail crossing fails to provide sufficient notice of the potential for oncoming trains, drivers might not realize that they have stopped on train tracks, making them vulnerable to a collision. This can also result from a malfunctioning lift gate or signal light system.
• Train derailment: Trains may derail for a number of reasons, including operator error, faulty tracks, objects on the tracks, or confusion over which direction the train should be headed when tracks split. No matter the cause, derailment can lead to serious and widespread injuries among train passengers, nearby drivers, and other bystanders.
• Collisions with other vehicles: When rail crossings are unmarked or drivers end up unwittingly or unavoidably stuck on train tracks, collisions between vehicles and trains are possible. Drivers are 20 times more likely to die in a collision involving a train than one that involves another driver.
• Premises liability: Train stations and the trains themselves are open to paying customers. As a result, train operators have a duty to keep those spaces reasonably safe for visitors and customers. If a train station contains hidden or unknown hazards, such as slippery stairs, puddles of water that aren’t immediately visible, or live wires that are unmarked as such, visitors could suffer serious injuries. Likewise, if a train has slippery spilled liquids that go uncleaned by staff, broken stairs, or other hazards, and a passenger gets hurt, the train company could be held financially responsible for those injuries.
• Sudden stops: Trains may have to come to a stop when an animal or vehicle is on the tracks, but when stops are executed poorly, passengers standing in the train could suffer injuries from falls caused by the abrupt stop.
• Distracted or drowsy conductors: Just like drivers of cars, train engineers can become dangerous if they allow themselves to look at their phones or do not get the rest they need before beginning their shifts. Recent years have seen several disastrous train accidents caused by engineers falling asleep at the controls or glancing down at their phones at the wrong moment and failing to notice critical signage or signal lights. In an action for damages, evidence of the driver’s drowsiness or distraction, as potentially captured in security footage, can provide valuable evidence in support of a negligence claim.

Skilled and Compassionate Legal Help From a Florida Train Accident Attorney

Florida train accidents can cause serious bodily harm such as broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, spinal damage, lacerations, and ligament injuries. If you’ve been hurt in a train accident, you need the help of a seasoned attorney who will fight until justice is done in your case.

The Florida train injury attorneys at Meldon Law are ready to take on your claim. Our team has the skill, legal knowledge, and determination you need on your side after a serious accident causes harm to you or your loved one. Contact us as soon as possible after a Florida train accident to begin the process of filing a claim for damages.