According to the Federal Railroad Administration, the number of train accidents in the United States grew to nearly 5,000 in 2023, resulting in more than 600 injuries. Even though these figures pale compared to the dangers of driving, railroad accidents still take an enormous toll on the victims.
Chattanooga, Tennessee, is one of the most significant regional rail hubs in the southeast, serving as a connector for major cities such as Atlanta, Nashville, and Birmingham. Norfolk Southern and CSX trains routinely make their way across roads in the Chattanooga region. When they do, the risk of train accidents increases.
If you’ve been injured in a train accident, you may need the services of a personal injury attorney. Our team at Gary Massey Injury Lawyers, P.C. has extensive experience in helping train accident victims. Let us assist you in getting the compensation you deserve. Contact us today.
How Train Accidents Can Happen
Train accidents can take on many forms and occur for many reasons. Here are some of the leading causes of accidents involving trains:
- Track Defects: The United States operates the largest track network in the world, encompassing more than 137,000 miles of track. Pieces of track sometimes have defects, and the consequences can be severe.
- Signal Malfunctions: Vehicles and pedestrians rely on roadside signals to learn when a train is coming. Sometimes those signals fail, leading to costly and painful injuries.
- Failure to Stop: Even with working signals, drivers, cyclists, or pedestrians sometimes think they can beat the train. They may cross even though the signal warns them not to.
- Distracted or Inexperienced Operators: Conducting a train requires the operator’s full attention. Mobile phones or other distractions can lead to a serious incident.
- Safety Rule Violations: Operators occasionally lose their bearings or fail to remember their training, leading them to break important safety rules. Train passengers, train staff, and others outside the train may pay for the negligence.
- Mechanical Issues or Brake Failures: Mechanical failures can be deadly. Transport companies are responsible for keeping their trains in good working condition.
Train Accidents Are Often Catastrophic
The intensity of a train accident often results in severe bodily harm. Our lawyers at Gary Massey Injury Lawyers, P.C. have seen the following types of injuries after train accidents:
- Broken bones
- Amputations or deep lacerations
- Concussions or serious traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord damage, resulting in paralysis or limitations on mobility
- Internal bleeding
- Damage to major organs
Fatalities are also common following train accidents. If you have lost a loved one in a train collision, you may have standing to file a wrongful death claim. These lawsuits allow you to request compensation for the medical care of the person you lost, funeral expenses, loss of income, loss of companionship, and pain and suffering, among other damages. Our attorneys can evaluate the facts of your case and give you the legal guidance you need to decide how to move forward.
Who’s Liable for a Train Accident in Chattanooga?
There are many different groups of professionals involved in delivering a train service. We can help you identify the potentially responsible parties. These may include:
- Railroad Operators: Owners may have put deficient equipment into service or failed to train personnel appropriately.
- Equipment Manufacturers: Those who make trains, tracks, warning signals, and other components involved in train travel may also be at fault in a collision.
- Maintenance Contractors: By failing to keep equipment in good working order, mechanics or maintenance workers may be part of a claim.
- Government Entities: Government agencies may be liable if they were negligent in their duties.
Because of the involvement of the Federal Railroad Administration and industry regulations, train accident claims can be complex. That makes it even more important for you to work with a legal firm that has extensive experience in train liability and personal injury litigation.
How a Train Accident Lawyer Can Help You Pursue Compensation
Our attorneys at Gary Massey Injury Lawyers, P.C. can establish negligence by:
- Gathering evidence including photos and videos, incident reports, and compliance records
- Interviewing witnesses to supplement your account of events
- Consulting train specialists, engineers, and other expert witnesses
Our lawyers can also help you size your claim and collect documentation to support it. You may be able to obtain compensation for:
- Medical expenses
- Cost of follow-up care
- Physical therapy or other rehabilitation procedures
- Assistive devices or prosthetics
- Modifications to vehicles or homes
- Lost wages, including lost time for follow-up appointments
- Lost future earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Permanent disability
- Long-term care costs
Contact Our Chattanooga Train Accident Lawyers Today
After a train accident, it’s important to seek legal help as soon as possible. Gary Massey and our skilled attorneys at Gary Massey Injury Lawyers, P.C. have extensive experience in negotiating with insurance companies and fighting for accident victims’ rights. Contact us today for a free consultation.
