How Do Trains Derail?

Train accidents can be catastrophic, potentially affecting the lives of countless individuals and causing considerable damage to the health, property, and well-being of those caught up in the disaster.

How common are train derailments, and how do trains derail? According to the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), there were around three derailments every day in the US in 2022. Train accidents can happen for many reasons, such as lack of maintenance, faulty train parts, or poor weather. While most derailments are minor incidents, a catastrophic accident releasing hazardous chemicals can impact entire communities.

If you suffer from physical and emotional health effects due to the Ohio train derailment in February 2023, you may feel helpless and worried about your future. However, you don’t have to struggle alone. Morgan & Morgan has your back. Contact us now for a free consultation to determine whether you could file an Ohio train lawsuit and receive damages.

What Is a Train Derailment?

In a train derailment, one or more rail cars or locomotives come off the tracks while traveling. Derailments can happen for various reasons, such as excessive speed, track defects, or equipment failure. Train accidents can range in severity from minor incidents causing slight damage to severe disasters that result in extensive damage to life, property, and the environment.

When a train carries toxic or hazardous chemicals, such as the Ohio train that derailed in February 2023, residents in communities close to the disaster could suffer devastating short and long-term health effects. Moreover, depending on the chemicals released, the environment could be contaminated for generations.

Common Causes of Trains Derailing

The force of a derailment can cause train cars to overturn or collide with each other, leading to severe injuries and fatalities. How do trains derail in the first place? Derailments can happen for a variety of reasons, including the following:

Broken or damaged tracks: Train tracks are critical to the safe operation of trains, and any damage or wear can lead to derailments.

Overloaded or improperly loaded freight: Overloading trains or wrongly distributing cargo can cause them to tip over in bends or at high speed.

Faulty equipment: Mechanical issues with the train, such as brake failure, a worn part, or a malfunctioning engine, can cause a derailment.

High speed: The faster a train travels, the longer it takes to come to a complete stop, making accidents and derailments likely.

Human error: Train operator or maintenance crew mistakes can also contribute to derailments.

Unauthorized crossings: crossing a railroad when a train approaches can have catastrophic consequences for all involved and cause trains to derail.

Objects on tracks: Cars, downed trees, or untrimmed vegetation on train tracks can cause catastrophic derailments.

Consequences of Train Derailments on the Environment

A severe train derailment accident can cause catastrophic environmental effects, depending on the type of cargo being transported. Potential consequences of a major derailment on the environment can include the following:

Spills

A derailment resulting in spills of toxic chemicals can contaminate the surrounding area’s soil, waterways, and air. Such spills have the potential to impact human health, wildlife, and the ecosystem significantly.

Air Pollution

Hazardous substances and gases released during a derailment can cause severe air pollution, potentially leading to respiratory problems for humans and wildlife in the area.

Water Pollution

If a derailment occurs near waterways, spilled chemicals could contaminate the surface and groundwater, making it unsafe for human and animal consumption.

Soil Contamination

The release of hazardous chemicals during a derailment can contaminate the soil in the surrounding area, tainting crops and other vegetation.

Infrastructure damage

Derailments can destroy surrounding infrastructure, such as bridges, roads, and buildings, which can have negative economic and environmental consequences.

In the case of the Ohio derailment, which occurred in February 2023 and involved a train carrying hazardous chemicals, the consequences for residents and the environment have been significant. If you are affected, you could qualify for an Ohio train lawsuit and should speak to an attorney as soon as possible.

The Effects of Train Derailments on Human Health

Train accidents involving hazardous chemicals can have disastrous immediate and long-term consequences for human health.

Immediate Harm to Residents

Residents in nearby communities could be instantly harmed from exposure to toxic gasses and chemicals and suffer from the following:

• Chemical burns
• Respiratory problems
• Skin irritation
• Eye damage

Some chemicals can be corrosive or explosive, posing additional risks to individuals near the derailment site.

Potential Long-Term Health Damage

The long-term consequences of exposure to toxic chemicals, such as those released in the Ohio train accident in February 2023, can include the following:

• Permanent DNA damage
• Risk of developing cancer, such as leukemia and lung cancers
• A compromised immune system
• Organ damage

If your physical and emotional health was affected by the train derailment in February 2023, consider getting in touch with Morgan & Morgan, as you could qualify for compensation and file an Ohio train lawsuit.

How Did the East Palestine, Ohio Train Derail?

On February 3, 2023, at 9 p.m., a freight train with around 50 cars derailed near East Palestine, Ohio. While no one was injured in the derailment, several cars transporting toxic materials caught fire. One of the substances released in the train derailment, vinyl chloride, is a carcinogen per the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Around 1,500 residents were evacuated while authorities released vinyl chloride and other potentially harmful chemicals from train cars to avoid an explosion. The controlled release sent a large toxic plume into the environment, affecting the air, soil, and watercourses of the surrounding area.

Cause of the Derailment

According to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the failure of a wheel bearing due to overheating most likely caused the derailment. However, it emerged that the train had broken down at least once before the devastating incident. Employees had expressed their concerns about the excessive length and weight of the train, which led to the previous breakdown.

The Environmental Impact

Hazardous chemicals spilled into the nearby Ohio River, contaminating four tributaries over 7.5 miles, causing at least one fish kill. Officials reassured residents that drinking water supplies are not affected but urged those with private wells to get their water tested. In the days after the derailment, residents complained of a pungent smell, with some experiencing runny eyes, sore throats, headaches, and other symptoms.

While it is still too early to assess the accident’s impact on the environment and human health, the contamination of soil and water could be a long-term hazard for the area.

What Is the Ohio Train Lawsuit?

Several East Palestine residents affected by the fire and chemical spill are now filing lawsuits against Norfolk Southern Railway, the company responsible for the train that derailed nearby. Plaintiffs (the individuals suing the company) claim they have lost income due to the mandatory evacuation and suffered injuries from exposure to toxic and cancer-causing chemicals.

If you are a resident of the East Palestine area and you or your loved ones experienced any respiratory problems or other illnesses due to the accident, you could qualify for an Ohio train lawsuit and receive compensation. Morgan & Morgan is here for you. When corporations put profits before safety, we can hold them accountable and help victims recover the compensation they deserve.