If you’ve been injured in a train accident, or your loved one lost their life, contact Low Law Firm today to see what legal options are available for you.
Railroad crossings can be very dangerous. Each year, according to the Texas Department of Transportation, there are over 10,000 train accidents. Those train accidents are the cause of hundreds of deaths annually and 1,000’s of injuries. Texas ranks as the second-highest state in the country when it comes to deaths caused by train accidents. Pause and think about it when you consider how many times you have crossed a train track in Abilene, Texas. You are at risk of being involved in a serious accident each time you cross over a train track.
Train accident laws are complex and require an experienced personal injury attorney to help navigate through complicated issues. In order to determine the cause of the accident, an investigation must take place. Was the train going too fast? Was there faulty railroad crossing equipment involved? Did the operator of the train fail to perform their duties? Thorough research into the incident will assist in uncovering what happened and help build your case. Working with a knowledgeable personal injury attorney will ensure you are in the best position possible to move forward from the accident and continue to recover.
At Low Law Firm, we take an individualized approach to help each of our clients after they are injured or lose loved ones in preventable accidents. Train accidents are like no other type of accident. These accidents involve heavy and high-powered vehicles that can cause catastrophic injuries in an instant. Victims who are harmed in train accidents are often forced to spend tens of thousands of dollars on medical treatment for their injuries. Most train accidents leave victims with permanent disabilities that prevent them from ever working and enjoying activities as they did before the accident. If you’ve been injured in a train accident, and you believe negligence played a role, contact our law firm in Abilene at your earliest convenience to explore legal options available for you.
Why Train Accidents are Complicated
Train accidents are often devastating for those involved. In many cases, victims endure overwhelmingly painful injuries that impact nearly every aspect of their life. There are several reasons why train accidents occur. Our team of Abilene train accident and railroad attorneys at Low Law Firm have seen numerous accidents caused by:
- Derailments
- Collisions involving other vehicles on the tracks
- Collisions involving pedestrians
- Collisions with other trains
- Crashes caused by mechanical failures onboard
- Crashes resulting from mechanical failures with crossing bars and lights not working
- Conductor incompetence
- Conductor errors
- Boiler explosions
Although we never want to think that drivers cause life-changing accidents, many accidents are a result of driver negligence or recklessness. The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) established detailed recommendations that are designed to help prevent accidents and keep drivers safe at crossing areas. Some of the recommendations and tips provided by TxDOT include:
- Reducing the speed of your vehicle as you approach designated crossing areas
- Lowering the volume of music while approaching crossing areas so you can hear any horns or sirens
- Check both directions before crossing over tracks to avoid accidents caused by defective safety equipment
- Never stop on train tracks while crossing over them
- Do not cross train tracks when the flashing red lights are present
- Do not cross over train tracks when the crossing arms are lowered
- Look both ways to ensure all train tracks are clear before proceeding forward
There are laws in Texas that require drivers to yield the right of way to trains and it is against the law to cross tracks when trains are visible. Furthermore, drivers are not permitted to cross the train tracks when the gate arms are lowered. Should crossing arms be broken in the down position, drivers are to assume the road is closed and seek an alternative course. Although we can take the necessary steps to ensure our safety and the safety of others around us, many accidents cannot be prevented and are caused by the reckless or negligent actions of others, interfering with our safety. When railroad companies, management, train conductors, or switch operators fail to adhere to proper standards and procedures, catastrophic accidents can occur.
When it comes to train accidents, there are a handful of major causes, such as track defects, human errors, equipment failures or defects, and signal failures or defects. When operating a train, a conductor can be distracted, which can cause accidents to occur. Trains can be driven too fast or a conductor may fail to apply their brakes at the proper time. Due to their immense weight, failure to apply the train’s brakes at the proper time can cause the train to delay it’s posted speed. Train accidents don’t have to occur at railroad crossings, accidents can occur anywhere along the train tracks. If you have been injured in a train accident, it is crucial that you take the proper steps toward ensuring your legal rights and best interests are protected as you move forward with your case. Working with a knowledgeable train accident and railroad attorney in Abilene will ensure you are in the best position possible to get the justice you deserve.
Common Injuries from Train Accidents
People who are involved in light rail and train accidents throughout the state of Texas can sustain serious injuries. In most cases, severe injuries force victims into area hospitals where they must undergo extensive medical treatment for their injuries. We at Low Law Firm strive to help our clients obtain full and fair compensation from their accidents so they can get the medical care they need, both immediately and long-term, and to provide them with the best chances of recovering. Some of the most common injuries train accident victims sustain include, but are not limited to:
- Broken bones
- Spinal cord injuries
- Back injuries
- Head injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Neck/soft tissue injuries
- Loss of limbs
Many victims are forced to undergo surgery immediately following their accidents. In many cases, train accident victims require hospitalization and long-term care, such as physical therapy, to recover from their injuries. Not everyone is able to fully recover. In fact, thousands of people die annually in the United States as a result of injuries sustained in train accidents. If you have been injured in a train accident here in Texas, you deserve a fighting chance at getting the justice you deserve.
Working with our team at Low Law Firm will ensure you are in the best position possible to obtain the compensation you need for surgery, hospitalization, physical and mental therapy, medication, medical equipment, and care providers, whenever necessary. If your loved one lost their life as a result of a train accident, we work diligently to help surviving relatives collect the maximum amount of compensation available for funeral services, burial expenses, loss of consortium, and more. Contact our train accident attorneys in Abilene as soon as possible to explore legal options available to you. Schedule a free case evaluation with our attorneys to discuss the details of your case.
If you have been injured in a train accident, you need a personal injury attorney who will fight for your just compensation.
Waiting too long to file your case after being injured in a train accident can jeopardize your ability to protect your legal rights and obtain the justice you deserve. Conversely, victims who are injured in train accidents can benefit substantially by reaching out to a law firm as soon as possible. Starting early can help to ensure that information and evidence is preserved and presented on your behalf while demanding compensation for the costs you face as a result of your injuries.
We at Low Law Firm strive to help our clients move forward from the trauma caused by their accidents by providing them with complete and competent legal services. Our attorneys will go to the site of the accident and investigate the details of the incident. We gather evidence, take pictures, and put together solid cases on behalf of our clients.
In addition to investigating the site of the accident, our attorneys will gather medical records, police reports, and interview witnesses to the accident. Whenever necessary, we work with experts who can recreate the scene of the accident and uncover critical details that show the circumstances and factors that contributed to your accident. This can help strengthen your case and prove the at-fault driver’s negligence. Not only do we work to help our clients build the strongest case possible, but we also focus on maximizing their financial recovery.
Our team gathers pay statements and repair bills that detail the losses and costs you face resulting from your accident. Furthermore, when our clients are forced out of work indefinitely, we consult with financial experts who can accurately determine the amount of lost earnings victims endure as a result of being permanently disabled. We work to ensure our clients are in the best position possible, mentally, physically, and financially, to help them move forward towards recovery from their accident.
When it comes to dealing with insurance companies, most accident victims find that the insurance companies are self-serving. They do not have the best interest of accident victims in mind. Instead, the insurance company focuses solely on ensuring they experience the least amount of financial loss when one of their policyholders are involved in an accident. As a result, insurance companies aggressively dispute victims’ claims while trying to persuade them into taking responsibility for the accident. Our team knows what to expect when dealing with insurance companies. We know how to help our clients get the compensation they need and deserve and will stop at nothing to ensure our clients are able to recover from their accident. We understand the critical importance of receiving adequate and timely medical care as well as the importance of being able to tend to financial obligations throughout the recovery process. This motivates our fight to protect our clients and help them to achieve maximum compensation after being injured in an accident.
Don’t put off consulting with a train accident attorney, the railroad company has a legal team ready to immediately proceed with legal action. Get to know what your legal options are today.
Contact Low Law Firm Today
Many people throughout the state of Texas are involved in train accidents each year. These accidents are often preventable, yet we are forced to witness the life-changing impact they have on victims and their families. In many cases, victims are left with devastating injuries that cause overwhelming pain and suffering. Although there are treatment options available for recovery, thereis no guarantee they will be successful. As a result, thousands of victims involved in accidents are left with injuries that leave them permanently impaired and unable to work indefinitely. If you have been injured in a train accident as a result of another party’s negligent or reckless actions, it is in your best interest to reach out to a reputable Abilene train accident lawyer. You may be entitled to compensation to help cover the costs of care and other financial obligations moving forward.
Texas train accident attorney Tara Gilmore-Low at Low Law Firm is dedicated to helping clients by providing them with knowledgeable, competent, and trusted legal representation. We strongly believe that accident victims deserve to maximize their financial recoveries after being harmed due to the negligent actions of other drivers sharing the road. Although there is no amount of money that could ever take away the pain and suffering you are experiencing, it can help you alleviate medical costs, compensate you for lost wages, and help you move forward and focus on recovering from your injuries. If you’ve been injured in a train or railroad accident, and you believe negligence played a role, contact our personal injury attorneys in Abilene as soon as possible. When you contact Low Law Firm at (325) 455-1889, we can set up a free case evaluation to explore the circumstances surrounding your accident and assist you in obtaining the justice you deserve.