Trains and railways play a significant role in the U.S. interstate transportation system, efficiently ferrying goods and people from one corner of the country to another. Every year in the U.S., freight trains transport nearly 3 billion metric tons of material, including everything from fruits and vegetables to petroleum products and metals. Passenger trains carry almost 31 billion passengers across rails stretching from one coast to another.
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Train and Vehicle Accidents Deadly
Of course, to transport all those goods and people, trains must be especially powerful, and most trains comprise many tons of steel and iron with engines designed to move them at very fast speeds. With so many massive pieces of machinery crisscrossing the country every day, it’s no wonder accidents involving trains are not uncommon, and their effects can be devastating. The rail safety organization Operation Lifesaver says, based on national transportation accident data, a motorist is 20 times as likely to die in a crash with a train as in an accident with another motor vehicle.
Many accidents occur at railway crossings where tracks traverse roads and highways. Others happen in rail yards, at stations, and along the tracks, including train-to-train collisions or single-train accidents. Because the impact of the accidents can be so severe, accident victims often suffer injuries that require extensive and prolonged medical care with costs that can quickly surmount an average person’s savings and take a toll on their financial future.
Railroad Accidents and Injuries
Railroad accidents can occur for many reasons, most of which are due to negligence by the railroad, train company, or their employees. Some of the most common types of accidents are due to causes like:
- Driver negligence
- Track problems and derailments
- Mechanical failure
- Inadequate signage, gates, or other protection at railroad crossings
The Federal Railroad Administration’s Office of Safety Analysis reports that human factors are responsible for about 38 percent of train accidents, with track defects accounting for another 35 percent. Equipment defects account for just over 12 percent of train accidents, signal defects cause almost 2 percent, and other miscellaneous factors account for between 12 percent and 13 percent of all railroad accidents. The agency also reports that over half of all accidents occur at railroad crossings, and more than 80 percent of railroad crossings lack the proper warning systems.
Common Causes of Train Accidents
Train accidents can occur due to various factors, including human error, mechanical failure, and environmental factors. Understanding the common causes of train accidents is crucial in preventing them and ensuring the safety of passengers and crew.
Human Error
Human error is a leading cause of train accidents. This can include mistakes made by train operators, such as speeding or failing to follow safety protocols; by maintenance personnel, such as neglecting routine maintenance tasks; and by passengers, such as failing to follow safety instructions or ignoring warning signs.
Mechanical Failure
Mechanical failure is another common cause of train accidents. This can include failures of critical systems, such as brakes or propulsion systems, and failures of non-critical systems, such as lighting or heating systems. Various factors, including wear and tear, poor maintenance, and design flaws, can cause mechanical failure.
Environmental Factors
Environmental factors can also contribute to train accidents. These can include weather conditions, road conditions, and wildlife. For example, a train may be more likely to derail in heavy rain or snow or to collide with a vehicle on the tracks in poor visibility.
Other Causes
Other causes of train accidents include:
- Poor infrastructure: Poorly maintained or designed infrastructure, such as tracks or bridges, can contribute to train accidents.
- Lack of training: Lack of training for train operators or maintenance personnel can lead to mistakes and accidents.
- Fatigue: Fatigue can be a major factor in train accidents, particularly for train operators working long hours or irregular schedules.
- Drugs and alcohol: The use of drugs or alcohol by train operators or maintenance personnel can impair their ability to perform their duties safely.
By understanding the common causes of train accidents, we can take steps to prevent them and ensure the safety of passengers and crew. This includes implementing safety protocols, conducting regular maintenance, and providing training for train operators and maintenance personnel.
Train Accidents Can Lead to Significant Costs
While some accidents may cause only minor damage due to the massive size and weight of today’s trains, nearly any type of train accident results in injuries that can have significant and long-lasting repercussions. In addition to the costs of immediate care for injuries sustained in a railroad accident, most accident victims will have long-term medical costs for therapy, surgery, and other ongoing interventions, and many will never return to their pre-accident quality of life. In addition to physical harm, train accidents can also cause significant emotional trauma, causing flashbacks, nightmares, and other emotional distress in addition to pain and suffering. Some accident victims will find they cannot return to work, resulting in a significant financial setback.
Of course, some laws protect the rights of train accident victims, but navigating the legal processes required to file a claim – and to file it successfully – is a complex and arduous process even at the best of times, and doubly so when you’re already dealing with the consequences of an injury. It would be nice to think that a negligent party would step up and take financial responsibility for the damage caused by their carelessness. But that’s not the case with most businesses; they have their financial interests to protect and will do all they can to minimize their negligence and shift the cost burden to the victim.
Proving the Railroad Negligent and Protecting Your Rights
The first step in collecting damages is demonstrating that the railroad company or its employees were somehow negligent and that the negligence led to the accident that caused your injuries and financial losses. Unfortunately, even in the most straightforward cases, proving negligence is difficult, even for many skilled attorneys. Because train accidents typically involve big transportation corporations, it’s vitally important to work with a train accident attorney who has experience in successfully handling train accident cases, so you feel sure your rights are being protected throughout your case.
The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), the Metropolitan Rail Corporation (Metra), and other companies and agencies employ internal investigators to gather evidence and investigate the cause of elevated train and rail accidents. Successfully resolving your case demands equal attention and dedication to your “side” of the incident. At the Blumenshine Law Group, our train accident lawyers are skilled in performing the in-depth research and evidence-gathering procedures necessary for establishing a strong case. Our attorneys work closely with each client, doing all they can to ensure the best possible outcome in every case.
Leading Train Accident Lawyers in Chicago
If you’ve been injured in a train or elevated accident, you must immediately begin working with a train accident attorney. As a top-rated injury law firm in Chicago, we know how to advocate for our clients. Call or text the Blumenshine Law Group at (312)766-1000, email [email protected], or use our online contact form and schedule your free consultation today.