Although trains are a fast, economical, and energy-efficient method of transporting people and materials, they are not without downsides. Train-car, train-pedestrian, train-truck accidents and train derailments cause hundreds of deaths and serious injuries every year. Below are collision-only statistics (these numbers do not include derailments, toxic spills, etc.) from the Federal Railroad Administration for the past few years.
- 2015: 2,080 collisions, 237 fatalities, 1047 injuries.
- 2016: 2,050 collisions, 255 fatalities, 853 injuries.
- 2017: 2,124 collisions, 271 fatalities, 846 injuries.
- 2018: 2,227 collisions, 260 fatalities, 845 injuries.
- 2019: 2,216 collisions, 293 fatalities, 807 injuries.
Train accidents are on the rise, which is bad news for the motoring public. If you are involved in a train accident, you are twenty times more likely to die than in a regular car accident. The immense disparity in the size and weight of cars and trains is the reason for this discrepancy. According to Operation LifeSaver, a public rail safety organization, the force of a thirty-car train colliding with your motor vehicle is the equivalent of your car hitting an aluminum can.
Pursuant to Federal Railway Administration regulations, railroads must file accident reports with the federal government. In some situations, railroad companies are required to try and make contact with injured parties. We recommend that you do not complete any forms or speak with any railroad employee about your accident until you speak with us.
RedStone handles all train accident cases on a contingency fee basis, which means we only get paid if we recover money for you. We advance all case expenses, so you pay nothing out of pocket to pursue your train accident case. If you or a loved one has been involved in any type of train accident, please contact our office online or any time at 931-444-6920 for a free, no-obligation consultation. During the consultation, we will go over your case with you at length, advise you of your legal rights, and happily answer any questions that you have. If your injuries prevent you from coming to our office, we will gladly come to you. The firm also offers virtual consultations online.