Indianapolis Train Accident Attorneys

Skilled Representation for Victims of All Types of Train Accidents

Indianapolis Train Accident Attorneys

Indiana has a rich manufacturing history in which Indianapolis has served a vital role, even being dubbed the “Crossroads of America.” With thousands of miles of railroad tracks crisscrossing the state, however, train accidents can and do occur. Train passengers, pedestrians, and motorists can suffer serious injuries in incidents like derailments or collisions.

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) reported that Indiana had 43 train accidents in 2021. The state saw a total of 188 train accidents over a four-year period that started in 2018, ranking sixth nationwide for the highest number of railway incidents.

If you have been injured or lost a loved one in a train accident, Tabor Law Firm is here to fight for your right to compensation. Our Indianapolis train accident attorneys have the resources to investigate your train accident and gather evidence from the scene to build your case.

Contact our Indianapolis train accident attorneys today at (317) 236-9000 for a free initial consultation regarding your case.

We Can Help You with All Types of Train Accidents

Trains are woven into Indiana’s transportation infrastructure. Unfortunately, they are not always operated safely or responsibly. Because of their large size and high speeds, trains present a risk of serious injuries when accidents occur. Injuries can range from broken bones and back injuries to brain injuries and even paralysis.

Additionally, many trains carry hazardous substances which may be released in the event of a derailment or collision. One of the most serious disasters in recent times occurred in February 2023 in East Palestine, Ohio, when a train derailed and spewed toxic chemicals into the surrounding areas. Another train traveling to Peru, Indiana, also derailed in the same month.

From 2018 to 2021, the majority of train accidents in Indiana involved derailments, accounting for 81 incidents. The state saw 31 incidents that involved highway-rail crossings and 25 collisions during that period. Tabor Law Firm is equipped to help clients with all types of Indianapolis train accidents, including:

  • Collisions with other trains
  • Collisions with passenger vehicles
  • Derailments
  • Pedestrian accidents
  • Injuries while boarding or departing a train
  • Fires and explosions
  • Toxic spills

Regardless of the type of accident, trains have the potential to cause severe injuries to passengers, pedestrians, and motorists across Indiana. A skilled Indianapolis train accident lawyer can be your vital ally in seeking the compensation you or your loved one deserve for train accident injuries.

What Causes Indianapolis Train Accidents?

Although large-scale rail disasters are rare, passenger trains and freight trains pose risks of painful injuries or even death when accidents occur. Indiana train accidents happen due to a variety of reasons. For example, a car stalled on a railway crossing can cause a derailment, while a lack of regular equipment maintenance can lead to a train breaking down. No matter the cause, most train accidents are preventable.

A wide range of factors may be responsible for causing a train to derail or collide with other trains, vehicles, or pedestrians in a railroad’s vicinity. From 2018 to 2021, 61 train accidents in Indiana occurred due to human causes, while 33 incidents arose from track issues, 29 were linked to equipment, and 8 were signal-related. Causes of Indiana train accidents can include:

  • Manufacturing or design defects
  • Mechanical issues like signal failure
  • Poorly maintained or improperly inspected tracks
  • Railway worker mistakes
  • Train operator negligence such as speeding or running a stop signal
  • Driver errors such as failure to stop at a railroad crossing

A unifying thread among all these train accident causes is that they often involve negligence or recklessness. A train company may have jeopardized passenger safety by cutting corners in favor of profits, or a fatigued train conductor may have made an error in operating a train. In another situation, a driver may have tried to speed across a railroad crossing before the arms are fully down.

At Tabor Law Firm, we know how to hold companies and individuals legally liable for their negligence. We understand the importance of conducting a comprehensive investigation in the aftermath of an Indiana train accident. Our Indianapolis train accident attorneys are dedicated to getting to the bottom of who was responsible for your injuries.

Indianapolis Railroad Crossing Accidents

Unprotected railroad crossings are a leading cause of train and vehicle collisions. According to the FRA, 94 percent of all rail-related injuries and deaths occur at railroad crossings or due to trespassing, and nearly all of them are preventable.

Railroad crossings are particularly dangerous because they are areas in which pedestrians and vehicles can come into direct contact with oncoming trains. When there is an impact between a train and a highway user at a crossing site, the outcome can be devastating. In 2022, Indiana had 101 highway-rail grade crossing collisions that resulted in 28 injuries. The state ranked fifth nationwide for the highest number of collisions of this kind.

The risk of train accidents increases when railroad crossings are improperly marked or lack appropriate warning lights or safety gates. Indianapolis railroad crossings should have mechanisms in place to protect pedestrians and vehicles from accidentally entering the path of a train.

Even when safety measures are in place, however, they can sometimes malfunction. Trains travel at high speeds, which does not give them enough space to stop in time to avoid colliding with a vehicle that is traveling through or sitting on a railroad crossing. Further damage can result if the train derails or leaks hazardous cargo.

Compensation in an Indianapolis Train Accident

Indiana had at least 10 injuries and four deaths from train accidents from 2018 to 2021. Trains are often unable to stop in time to avoid striking a smaller object, and the results can be catastrophic for collision victims. If you or a loved one has been injured in a train accident, you can make a financial recovery for your losses.

Train accidents can be life-altering and necessitate a long recovery period that keeps you away from work. The resulting injuries are likely to require emergency room care, as well as prescription medication, surgery, and even long-term rehabilitation. The compensation you receive in an Indiana train accident claim is not just limited to past and future medical expenses. Damages should cover all your collision-related losses and can include:

  • Medical expenses
  • Lost wages
  • Loss of earning potential
  • Mental distress
  • Pain and suffering
  • Disability and disfigurement

As with other personal injury claims, establishing liability is a crucial step when pursuing compensation for a train accident. For full and fair financial recovery for your injuries, you must be able to prove the extent of your damages.

Unfortunately, train companies and their insurers are notorious for fighting accident claims aggressively. Tabor Law Firm will ensure your case is backed by strong evidence that withstands any challenges to your right to obtain compensation.

How an Attorney Can Help with Complex Train Accident Cases

Like most personal injury claims, recovering compensation in a train accident case is no easy legal matter. There are often multiple parties involved, including the train operator, railway company, and insurance firms. Having an Indianapolis train accident attorney devoted to protecting your rights is crucial when you are dealing with questions of liability and complicated Indiana rail laws.

Railway companies have obtained a lot of federal protection and immunity for certain types of crossings. And many times, investigators for the railroad are the first to arrive on the scene of an Indiana train accident. They have a head start in gathering evidence, including any audio or video on board the train itself.

That means the sooner you talk to an attorney, the better. Our Indianapolis train accident lawyers can start an investigation immediately and work to preserve evidence already gathered by the railroad company’s team of investigators. We can also hire a well-qualified railroad expert to assist us in understanding what happened, why it happened, and if it was preventable.

You can file a claim against any person or entity responsible for the train accident, including the railroad company, an engineer, or a conductor. Tabor Law Firm can help you determine who is responsible so you can fight for the full, fair recovery you deserve. Let us handle the legal process when you focus on healing. From taking care of the paperwork to negotiating with other parties, you can trust us to put you on the path to a successful outcome in your train accident case.

Contact Tabor Law Firm Today for Experienced Legal Representation

Our experienced team is prepared to conduct a thorough investigation of your Indiana train accident claim to hold the negligent parties responsible for your unexpected misfortune. You don’t need to know the law; that’s our job. We can identify the cause of your train accident and fight on your behalf for the compensation you are owed for your medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and other damages.

Contact our Indianapolis train accident attorneys today at (317) 236-9000 for a free initial consultation regarding your case. We are available to answer all your questions about filing a train accident claim.

Call us at (317) 236-9000 or contact us online today to get started with your complimentary case assessment.

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