Where Can I Find the Best Train Accident Lawyer in Pittsburgh?

Train accidents are more common than you might think. According to figures from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), more than 5,000 railroad accidents occurred in 2020 alone, including 752 fatalities. The ordeal of losing a loved one in a train accident can feel impossible to bear. Those injured on a train journey could face permanent disabilities and sky-high medical bills. 

At Morgan & Morgan, we understand what injured victims and their families are going through. Our train accident lawyers in Pittsburgh could help you recover what you need to put your life back together after a railroad accident. Contact us now for a free review of your case. 

Common Causes of Train Accidents

Some of the most common reasons for train accidents with injuries and fatalities include:

High Speed

Speeding trains can cause tragic accidents and derailments. A heavy train can take up to a mile and longer to come to a complete stop. The higher the train’s speed, the longer it takes to correct any issues or stop.

Human Error

Lack of attention, lack of experience, and operator fatigue can cause devastating train accidents. It can have tragic consequences for passengers when a conductor, driver, or other persons involved in the operation of a train make a mistake.

Mechanical Issues

Trains, much like passenger vehicles, need frequent maintenance and servicing. The same holds for train tracks and signaling equipment. Equipment failure and other mechanical problems can cause or contribute to an accident. 

Unauthorized Crossing

Cars, pedestrians, or cyclists crossing a railroad track recklessly or carelessly can lead to significant train accidents. Unfortunately, most individuals underestimate the speed of an oncoming train or are unaware of how long it takes for a train to stop. Persons trying to commit suicide and jumping in front of a train or standing on the tracks can also cause accidents. 

Unprotected or Faulty Crossing

Unprotected crossings are common, especially on minor roads across the country. Unprotected crossings typically lack gates and flashing warning lights. Therefore, accidents involving the train colliding with cars or pedestrians can be more common on such crossings. Accidents can also occur with faulty equipment on protected crossings, for example, malfunctioning gates or lights.

Obstructions on Train Tracks

Objects on train tracks such as downed trees or cars can cause accidents and derailments. If the train driver or conductor does not spot the object or obstruction in time, they may be unable to stop or avoid the object. The failure to maintain railroad tracks adequately can also cause accidents due to overgrown vegetation or track defects.  

Who Is Liable for Damages in Train Accidents?

Finding out who is liable for your train accident injuries and expenses can be a challenge. Potentially, there could be many liable parties, including:

• A conductor or driver
• The railway company
• The train or equipment manufacturer
• A government agency or company maintaining the tracks
• A company servicing or repairing the trains
• A reckless car driver or pedestrian

Train accidents typically require a team of investigators and regulating bodies to analyze the facts of the accident and determine the responsible parties. Since train accidents can be complex, handling a personal injury train accident case on your own could be full of pitfalls. A train accident lawyer at Morgan & Morgan can assess your case, determine all liable parties, and help you move forward with holding the at-fault parties accountable. 

Damages Victims Could Recover in Train Accidents in Pittsburgh

Train accident victims suing the responsible parties for damages could recover compensation, depending on the extent of their injuries and financial losses. 

Medical Expenses

If you got hurt in a train accident, you could receive all medical expenses such as emergency room visits, hospitalizations, surgeries, medical devices, and others. You could also qualify for future healthcare costs due to your injury. 

Lost Wages

Some individuals suffer severe or disabling train accident injuries, preventing them from returning to work for some time or even permanently. You could recover compensation for any income lost in the past and present due to the accident. Victims could also be entitled to loss of future earning capacity if their train accident injuries impact their ability to work in the future.

Non-Economic Damages 

Victims who suffered extensive injuries in a train accident could qualify for a range of so-called non-economic damages that relate to their physical and mental anguish, such as:

• Physical pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Loss of life-quality
• Permanent disability
• Disfigurement and scarring
• Loss of a limb or limbs

Wrongful Death Compensation

Nothing can mitigate the loss of a loved one in tragic circumstances such as a train accident. However, you could qualify for damages helping with the financial consequences of losing a relative, such as:  

• Funeral and burial expenses
• Loss of income and benefits from the deceased
• Loss of consortium (spouse)
• Loss of parental guidance (children)

Punitive Damages

In a train accident lawsuit, punitive damages may be awarded when a defendant acted particularly maliciously, willful, or deliberately caused the accident. 

Types of Accidents Our Train Accident Lawyers in Pittsburgh Can Handle

Since train companies are considered “common carriers” by law, they have a legal duty towards passengers. Common carriers are held to a higher standard of care than the driver of a private car, for example, and should transport passengers with utmost care and diligence. Such carriers also have the legal duty to operate their trains in a way that keeps other road users such as motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians safe from injury. 

When a train owner or operator negligently causes an accident, an experienced train accident lawyer can hold the company liable for a victim’s injuries and damages. Accident cases our attorneys handle include:

• Derailments
• Speeding
• Failure to maintain or repair equipment and trains
• Failure to maintain or repair train tracks
• Train driver error or distraction
• Defective signaling equipment
• Objects or equipment in train tracks

There can be many other reasons for train accidents. If you would like to find out whether you have a case, speak to a train accident lawyer in Pittsburgh as soon as possible. 

How to Find the Best Train Accident Lawyer in Pittsburgh 

You have several avenues for finding an excellent train accident attorney in Pittsburgh, such as:

Referrals – Word-of-mouth can be an excellent way to find a train accident attorney. You could ask friends, family members, and coworkers for attorney referrals.

Internet research – A simple Google search can help find the names of lawyers and law firms handling train accident cases in your area. 

Online databases – You can access various online databases, such as Avvo and Martindale for finding local lawyers.

Local bar association – The Pennsylvania Bar Association could also help you with finding a great train accident lawyer near you.

What to Look for in a Train Accident Attorney

Ideally, a train accident attorney should have sound legal knowledge regarding common carriers and the rules and regulations that train companies have to observe. The best way to find out whether an attorney fulfils all the criteria you are looking for is to schedule an in-person consultation. Most train accident lawyers offer free consultations, allowing you to get to know the law firm and ask questions about the lawyer’s experience and your case. Good questions to ask include: 

• Do you think I have a case?
• Have you handled train accident cases like mine?  
• What is your track record and experience with train accidents?
• Have you won cases at trial?
• What are your fees?
• Do I have any costs if I lose the case?
• Will you personally handle my case?
• How often and through which medium will we communicate?

Why Choose Morgan & Morgan’s Train Accident Attorneys?

At Morgan & Morgan, our biggest motivation is doing right by injured victims. We want you to get what you deserve and hold the defendants in your case fully accountable. Our attorneys try more cases than other law firms and never shy away from fighting for the rights of the injured, if necessary, at trial. The insurance companies know that we do not settle for less and will see them in court if they do not pay up.

Working with us means that there are no financial risks or out-of-pocket costs for you. We work on your case for free. You only pay if and when we win. We have over 1,000 attorneys tirelessly working for the rights of the injured. Our motivated and determined attorneys have to date recovered more than $20 billion for our clients. We have the resources to fight vigorously for what you need and deserve to put your life back together after a train accident.