Train Accidents Attorney in Mobile, Alabama 

While many people survive car accidents, not many walk away from a train crash. In fact, drivers and occupants of passenger vehicles are about 20 times more likely to die in a train accident than in a crash with another automobile. Plus, most train accidents happen near a person’s home. Close to 75% happen within 25 miles of a person’s home, while 50% happen within five miles of the victim’s home.

Those who do survive train accidents often suffer from catastrophic injuries, such as spinal cord injuries, head injuries, and traumatic brain injuries. You could also suffer amputations, broken bones, burns, and internal injuries. 

If you have been injured in a train accident, be sure to seek legal help right away. You need to get full and fair compensation for all your damages. A Mobile, Alabama train accidents attorney from Roger Varner Injury Law can help.

Causes of Train Accidents

Train accidents can be caused by a variety of factors, such as:

  • Faulty rails or tracks. Misalignment can cause a train to fall or derail. 
  • Defective train parts. Brakes and other important parts can become defective, causing crashes. 
  • Train mechanical failure. A lack of maintenance can cause various parts of the train to fail. 
  • Defective railroad signals. If the signals or crossing arms don’t work, passenger vehicles may go onto railroad tracks when they shouldn’t and get into a serious crash.
  • Conductor negligence. This includes speeding and operating a train while distracted, fatigued, or under the influence of drugs or alcohol. 
  • Stalls. Passenger vehicles sometimes stall on the train tracks, which means trains can collide if the car doesn’t move out of the way in time.
  • Pedestrian negligence. Pedestrians may trespass onto train tracks or play dangerous games with trains, expecting them to stop in time.

Who is Liable in a Train Accident?

Determining liability is not always easy. Sometimes there are a combination of factors at play. 

In many cases, it is obvious that the train operator or railway owner was at fault. However, if there was a defect or malfunction that caused the crash, then product liability laws may apply. This means that the product manufacturer or the entity that repaired or serviced the part may be at fault as well. 

It is possible that the victim may have caused their own injuries as well. For example, a reckless pedestrian playing chicken on the railroad tracks would not be able to blame the train conductor for not stopping in time. 

It’s possible that there could be multiple parties at fault for a train crash. It’s important to get the assistance of a qualified personal injury attorney who has the experience and resources to investigate this type of case.

Contact a Train Accidents Attorney in Mobile Today

Train passengers, pedestrians, and other motorists can all be injured in a train accident. If you have suffered injuries, make sure you seek legal help.   

Count on Roger Varner Injury Law to guide you after such an accident. Train crashes can be complex, so make sure you are fully compensated. To schedule a free consultation, fill out the online form or call (833) 482-7637.