Manhattan Train Accident Lawyer

Train Accident Attorney Assisting Plaintiffs in Manhattan

While train accidents are not as common as car crashes, they do actually occur at a surprisingly high rate. In fact, according to the Federal Railroad Administration, more than 3,000 train accidents resulting in death, injury, or property damage occur every year in the U .S. Train accidents also tend to result in particularly serious injuries, some of which are catastrophic and even deadly. Because they are so severe, train accident injuries are usually expensive to treat and could leave victims to struggle with disability or disfigurement for the rest of their lives, so if you or a loved one were injured in a train accident in Manhattan, it is important to contact a New York train accident lawyer who can help you seek compensation for your losses. 

Types of Train Accidents 

Train accidents can occur in a variety of different situations, but usually fall under one of the following categories:

• • Derailments;
  • Head-on collisions between two trains;
  • Fires and explosions;
  • Railroad crossing collisions with vehicles, cyclists, or pedestrians; and
  • Cargo spills. 

Many, if not all, of the railroad crossing accidents that occur in Manhattan can be prevented. For example, the railroad’s refusal to properly install or maintain railroad crossing gates and lights has signals can be a contributing cause to a collision. Other accidents can be attributed to:

• • Mechanical or electrical failure, such as signal errors;
  • Faulty railway equipment;
  • Insufficient warning signs or barriers;
  • Obstructions on the tracks or railroad right of way;
  • Problems with the roadbed or track, such as improper maintenance or damage caused by wear and tear; and
  • Operator error resulting from negligence, failure to keep a proper lookout, fatigue, lack of training, or intoxication. 

While all of these negligent acts have been linked to train accidents over the last decade, problems and neglect with maintenance of the tracks and right of way of the crossing or negligence on the part of the engineer tend to occur most often and have the most devastating consequences. 

Liable Parties 

Railway companies are required to use a great degree of care in maintaining and repairing their tracks and right of way. Failing to do so can lead to derailments, crossing collisions, and other serious accidents. The most common and potentially dangerous track-related problems that can result in a derailment include:

• • Broken rails, 
  • Bolt hole cracks;
  • Railhead fractures;
  • Flaking or chipped steel;
  • Flattened or burned rails;
  • Worn or cracked rails; and
  • Unrestrained vegetation growth. 

These problems are often attributable to regular wear and tear, which occurs over time as a result of the expansion and contraction of the rails in extreme temperatures. Railway companies are still, however, required to check their tracks for these kinds of issues and make regular repairs, so those who fail to do so can be held liable for their negligence. 

While track failure plays a significant role in causing train accidents in the U.S., the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) believes that as many as one-third of all train accidents are actually attributable to human error. In these cases, the at-fault individual, as well as his or her employer could be held liable for damages. 

Schedule an Appointment Today 

If you were injured in a train accident in New York, you could be entitled to compensation for your losses. Please call the dedicated Manhattan train accident attorneys at Pottroff & Karlin Law Firm to learn more.