Some of the most common types of train accidents in the U.S. involve derailment, train-person collisions, train-train collisions and train-vehicle collisions. In addition to causing the injury and death of individuals actually involved in the collision, statistics show that approximately every two weeks, a train accident results in a chemical spill, which can severely harm local residents.
Common Causes of Train Accidents
Georgia law establishes strict regulations and penalties for the maintenance of railroad crossings and the failure to comply with these regulations, in an effort to reduce the incidence of train accidents. Unfortunately, train accidents continue to occur across the state. Some of the most common causes of train accidents in Georgia and the U.S. include:
- Track defects and derailment
- Human error
- Signal defects
- Equipment defects
- Inadequately marked crossings
Injuries Caused by Marietta Train Accidents
The Department of Transportation estimates that a train collides with a person or vehicle every 90 minutes in the United States. Because trains weigh hundreds of tons, travel at high speeds, and can take up to a mile to slow down, the majority of injuries caused by train accidents in Georgia and across the U.S. are fatal. Some non-fatal train accident injuries include spinal cord injury, head injury, traumatic brain injury, amputation, crush injuries, paralysis, and more.
Pursing Compensation for Train Accidents
Train accidents can have devastating consequences for injured victims and their families, especially if the resulting injuries are fatal. Fortunately, compensation may be available to train accident victims whose injuries occurred in a workplace accident, or whose injuries were caused by defective equipment or the negligence of another person. Victims injured in MARTA accidents in Atlanta caused by another person may be eligible for financial compensation for their injuries, medical bills, pain and suffering, lost wages and other damages, which they can pursue by filing a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault person or party. If the train accident resulted in a victim’s death, the surviving family members can pursue compensation by filing a wrongful death lawsuit against the negligent party.
In Georgia, workers injured in train accidents may be entitled to compensation through the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA), which effectively bypasses workers’ compensation and allows a train accident victim to recover damages from his or her employer when the employer’s negligence or the negligence of another railroad employee caused the accident. FELA also gives injured railroad workers the opportunity to recover punitive damages, which they would not be entitled to under Georgia workers’ compensation laws.
Contact Our Train Accident Lawyers in Atlanta
Train accidents typically have devastating consequences, potentially leaving injured victims to struggle with extreme physical pain and exorbitant medical bills without being able to return to work to earn an income. In instances of fatal train accidents, the deceased’s family members are forced to abruptly adapt to life without their loved one, while also sometimes facing medical costs, funeral expenses, burial expenses and lost income. If you or a loved one has suffered from serious injuries caused by a MARTA or other train accident in Marietta, consult our knowledgeable train accident attorneys at Rechtman & Spevak to explore your compensation options. Our law firm is located in Atlanta, and our lawyers are experienced in representing victims of Georgia train accidents, helping them protect their rights and pursue fair and timely reimbursement for their injuries. With the help of our qualified personal injury lawyers, you can protect yourself from further harm and hold the negligent person or party liable for your injuries.
