Types and Causes of Train Accidents

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Railroad Administration, 866 people died in railroad-related accidents in 2018. Of these fatal accidents 8 occurred on a train, 267 occurred at a railroad crossing, 562 involved trespassers, and 29 were simply categorized as “other.”

Commonly-reported accidents involving trains include:

• Derailments
• Train/train collisions
• Train/motor vehicle collisions
• Collisions at a railroad crossing

Common causes of accidents include:

• Defective signals or gates
• Trains that do not sound their horns or use their lights when approaching crossings
• Crossings obstructed by trees and other objects
• Negligent operation
• Debris on the tracks
• Defective warning systems, such as defective gates or signals

Liability for a Train Accident

Train accident cases are often very complex due in part because multiple parties may be at fault. They are also unique in that they can affect a wide range of people. An accident may involve only one injured person, such as when a person falls off a platform or is struck by a train, or it can affect dozens or even hundreds of people, such as when a derailment occurs.

Depending on the circumstances, injured parties could file a claim against:

• Rail carriers
• Railroad authorities
• Commuter authorities
• Operators
• Third party companies responsible for maintenance and upkeep of the train or tracks
• The manufacturer of a defective part

Contact a New York Train Accident Lawyer Today

The New York and Long Island train accident attorneys at Finz & Finz, P.C., have the experience, skill, and resources necessary to help you if you were hurt in a train accident. Reach out to us today by calling (855) TOP-FIRM, by chatting with us live, or by filling out our free case evaluation form.