Alabama Train Accident Lawyer

Train Accident Attorney Assisting Plaintiffs in Alabama

Train accidents in Alabama can affect many different kinds of individuals, from employees who work on the railroad, to commuters who get hurt in a derailment, and even to pedestrians and bicyclists who are crossing train tracks in Wichita. At Pottroff & Karlin, we are committed to helping members of the public who have been hurt because of a railroad company’s negligence. According to statistics from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), railroad accidents had been declining for a number of years, but they began rising again in 2013. In 2013, there were 891 fatalities in train accidents, and thousands of individual injuries.
Alabama train accidents can be prevented. Our firm is known for its dedication to public safety and plaintiffs’ rights, and we can discuss your options with you today. If you or someone you love sustained serious injuries in a train accident caused by the railroad company’s negligence or recklessness, an aggressive Alabama train accident lawyer can get started on your case today.

Getting the Facts About Train Collisions in Alabama

How often do train accidents happen throughout the state of Alabama? And who may be at greatest risk of injury?
We have compiled data from the NTSB, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), and from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) about train accidents, and we want you to get a sense of the severity of derailments and other accidents caused by railroad company negligence:

  • 662 train accidents were reported in the first four months of 2017, compared with 670 accidents total in 2016, and 860 accidents total in 2015;
  • Between January and May of 2017, there were already a total of 4,429 railroad accidents or incidents reported, resulting in 341 fatalities and 3,217 injuries;
  • In that same time period, 478 derailments occurred, and 37 collisions happened;
  • 190 of the collisions and derailments resulted from faulty or poorly maintained track;
  • Human error, including train conductor or signal operator negligence, played a role in causing 216 of those collisions and derailments;
  • Faulty or defective signals resulted in 24 collisions and derailments;
  • Approximately 75 percent of all accidents happen within 25 miles of a person’s home;
  • About 50 percent of all crashes happen within five miles of the victim’s home;
  • In terms of passenger car drivers and occupants, they are about 20 times more likely to suffer fatal injuries in a train collision than in a crash with another automobile; and
  • Approximately every 3 hours, a person is struck by a train.

A railroad company’s failure to take proper safety precautions, or a railroad employee’s negligence, can cause an accident that can result in serious and even fatal injuries. As train passengers, motorists, and pedestrians in Alabama, we should be able to expect that train companies are doing what is necessary to protect the public from avoidable train accidents. When a collision or a derailment does occur, an experienced Wichita train accident attorney can assist with your case.

Common Causes of Alabama Train Accidents

Train accidents happen much too often around Alabama, and many of them are preventable. Common causes of train accidents include but are not limited to:

  • Faulty rails or tracks, including misalignment;
  • Defective train parts, including problems with the brakes;
  • Defective railroad signals or negligent signal operators;
  • Train mechanical failure due to improper maintenance;
  • Conductor negligence, including operating a train while distracted, drowsy, or impaired, as well as operating a train beyond maximum speed limits;
  • Passenger vehicles stalled on the train tracks; and
  • Pedestrian negligence, including trespassing onto train tracks or crossing tracks while distracted.

Seeking Advice from an Alabama Train Accident Lawyer

Train passengers, pedestrians, and motorists should not have to worry about getting hurt in a train accident. Many of these collisions and derailments occur because the train company failed to properly maintain the tracks or the train cars, or to ensure that train operators are behaving in a reasonably safe manner. If you have questions about filing a claim for compensation, a dedicated train accident lawyer in Alabama can assist with your case. Contact Pottroff & Karlin today.

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Testimonials
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Train crash cases are unique and complex with many different potential pitfalls, such as federal preemption. Anytime I get hired or even get a call from a train crash victim, my very first call is to Nathan’s firm. Nathan’s knowledge and experience in handling and trying cases against these litigation savvy railroad companies gives me the confidence to know that the clients and cases I refer to him are getting the best of the best.

James PerrinLubbock, Texas
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I have had the opportunity to work as co-counsel with Nathan on several railroad crossing accidents cases. In each case, Nathan always possessed an incredible knowledge of the law and the facts, possessed a great talent for aggressive - strategic legal planning and trial tactics while, at the same time, displaying great skill as an effective negotiator. I would recommend him to anyone without hesitation.

Scott McCluenHarriman, Tennessee
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Nathan Karlin has my strongest endorsement in the field of railroad crossing cases and personal injury law. I had the pleasure of working with Nathan in a complex railroad personal injury case. I was impressed by Nathan’s knowledge, his work ethic, and his dedication to the client. I look forward to working with Nathan on future injury matters. I am also aware firsthand that he has obtained excellent trial and settlement results in numerous cases involving members of the public harmed by railroad companies.

Joseph M. MillerMandeville, Louisiana
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Nathan is a warrior fighting the railroads. As a fellow personal injury lawyer, I have constantly been impressed with his depth of knowledge and his capabilities from case to case. I’d take him into battle with me any day against the biggest railroads and insurance companies on the planet.

Jon C. ClarkAustin, Texas
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Bob Pottroff has fought for the victims of the railroads’ callous disregard for safety more than any other attorney that I know. I should know because I am currently Chair-elect of the Railroad Section of ATLA.

Robert SchuetzeBoulder, Colorado
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Mr. Pottroff has shaken the rail industry to its very roots. Settlements are now more common as a result of the way he has exposed the industry’s wrongdoing.

Mike EasleyArkansas
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Bob Pottroff’s work in railroad safety law is unmatched and he has been the source of great advice and phenomenal creativity.

Roger BrownJefferson City, Missouri
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In addition to his substantive contributions to railroad grade crossing safety, I have personally observed his untiring efforts and contributions to improving the integrity of the legal system.

Elizabeth HardyLake Charles, Louisiana
Testimonials