Common Examples of Train Accidents

If you have been injured in a train accident in the Houston metro area, you may be wondering if you are eligible to file a claim and receive compensation. Here are some of the most common examples of train accidents.

Common Examples of Train Accidents | Collisions with Vehicles

Pedestrians, passengers, and drivers can sustain train-related injuries in a variety of ways. Of course, crashes between trains and passenger or commercial vehicles frequently result in injuries. When a vehicle or a pedestrian fails to clear tracks when a train is approaching, serious injury or death will result. Because of the average train’s size and weight, even if a train is traveling well below the speed limit, it can displace and damage any vehicle in its path. Drivers and passengers in cars or trucks that stall on train tracks can experience a variety of grave injuries, such as whiplash, broken bones, and psychological trauma, in the aftermath of a train accident.

Common Examples of Train Accidents | Slips and Falls

Slips and falls, a typical occurrence under the personal injury umbrella, can happen on trains or train platforms due to inclement weather, insufficient maintenance, or the actions of another passenger. Though Houston only experiences snow every three or four years, the city’s regular rainfall can create slippery conditions on train tracks, platforms, and stairwells. Slipping on excess water or a slick surface can result in sprains, fractures, or muscle pulls, and a train injury attorney can demonstrate that the unsafe circumstances were the result of negligence. An injured party may have a case against another passenger if that passenger pushed the plaintiff or improperly stowed her or his belongings, causing a trip.

Common Examples of Train Accidents | Attacks from Passengers

A lack of security can allow emotionally disturbed individuals to commit acts of violence against other passengers. These attacks are rare, but they are prone to happen during late-night trips when law enforcement and train personnel are not present. METRORail trains have been the sites of occasional incidents such as beatings and similar physical altercations, and these attacks are not limited to Houston’s light rail system. Survivors of these attacks can pursue legal action against their assailants, and personal injury lawyers can help their clients to receive compensatory damages.

Common Examples of Train Accidents | Injuries to Railroad Workers

Workers’ compensation, despite the common belief, does not cover the injuries of railroad workers. Instead, railroad workers can fight for the compensation that they deserve under the Federal Employers Liability Act, or FELA, as long as they file their claims within three years of the accident that led to their injuries. Passengers on trains, however, are not covered by FELA, so they must seek alternative routes in order to obtain compensation.

If you have been injured in a train accident and seek compensation for any damages you have suffered, please contact our experienced Houston train accident lawyer today to schedule a free consultation.

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