Train and Railway Accident Attorneys in Laurel, MD

Hold Conductors and Rail Companies Accountable With McGowan & Cecil, LLC

The United States is covered in railroads and commuter tracks. Although train and railway accidents are not as common as other types of motor vehicle accidents, this fact doesn’t make them any less dangerous.

Many factors cause and influence rain and railway accidents, including human error, operator fatigue, mechanical failure, weather-related crashes, conductor distraction, items left on the track, derailments, excessive speeding, failure to maintain or repair tracks, and faulty signaling equipment.

If you or a loved one has been involved in a train or railway accident, contact McGowan & Cecil, LLC by calling (301) 761-2007. We are committed to helping victims get back on track and rebuild their lives. 

Common Train-Related Injuries

Each type of train accident has the potential to cause injuries. Whether the train you are on derails or collides with another train or motor vehicle, you may suffer physical or emotional injuries.

Common train-related injuries include:

• Broken bones
• Fractured ribs
• Leg injuries
• Neck and back injuries
• Head trauma
• Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
• Spinal cord injuries (SCIs)
• Burns
• Blunt trauma injuries
• And other life-threatening injuries

If you have suffered any of these injuries, you may be entitled to compensation.

How Often Do Train or Railway Accidents Occur?

According to the Federal Railroad Administration, there were 1,972 train accidents with 3 fatalities and 57 injuries in 2019, and 1,519 train accidents with 1 fatality and 67 injuries in 2020.

These figures do not include train-pedestrian accidents, which frequently take place at unprotected railroad crossings.

Counting all railroad-related deaths and injuries, the National Safety Council notes 757 deaths and 5,479 nonfatal injuries in 2020.

Passengers, railroad workers, drivers, and pedestrians can all be involved in train and railway accidents, especially when train crossings are not clearly marked.

If you have been harmed, our Laurel train and railway attorneys are here to help. Call (301) 761-2007 today!

Recent Train and Railway Accidents

Although the number of train and railway accidents has been steadily decreasing since 2007, these kinds of accidents are not a thing of the past.

• July 29, 2020: A freight train derailed and caught fire on a bridge in Tempe, Arizona. The flaming wreckage caused part of the bridge to collapse.
• August 20, 2020: A car was crushed between two light rail trains in Baltimore, Maryland. The car’s occupants, a 7-year-old boy and 30-year-old man, were taken to the hospital for non-life-threatening injuries, but the driver, a woman, died at the scene.
• July 15, 2021: Rising floodwater caused a 96-car freight train to derail at approximately 60 mph on a quarter mile of Union Pacific Track between Las Vegas and Salt Lake City. Twelve cars derailed, and 6 of those cars tipped over and off the tracks. Three crew members were injured.

Train and railway accidents continue to take place worldwide, causing injuries, death, and destruction.

Who Is Responsible When Train or Railway Accident Occur?

Typically, the train operator or the rail company that owns the train can be held liable. However, a manufacturer may also be found liable if there is a manufacturing defect with either the train or the track.

In some situations, careless passenger vehicle drivers and pedestrians can also face liability, and city planners may even face liability for unprotected railroad crossings without adequate warning devices.

Unfortunately, inexperienced conductors, railroad employees, and the companies that employ them do not want to accept liability, which means recovering compensation after a train or railway accident can be difficult.

Steps to Take If Involved in a Train or Railway Accident

After a train or railway accident, you need to do everything you can to protect your rights. Usually, this is as simple as gathering evidence. Always prioritize your health and seek medical attention – and transportation – if you need it.

If you can, take the following steps while you wait for help to arrive:

• Document what happened to you (write down the details before you forget)
• Photograph the train and tracks near the incident
• Get names, addresses, and phone numbers of any potential witnesses
• Take note of the overall situation, such as anything on the tracks or any damaged or faulty equipment
• Get medical attention as soon as possible (go to the doctor even if you do not feel hurt)
• Contact an experienced personal injury lawyer, such as McGowan & Cecil, LLC

Why Hire Our Experienced Legal Team?

Railroad companies have a large and powerful group of attorneys working for them to minimize their liability and payouts to victims of train and railway accidents.

Nevertheless, McGowan & Cecil, LLC has the resources you need to compete with these corporate lawyers. We can conduct a thorough investigation of the incident and find evidence to validate your claims. As a result of our determination, we have recovered millions on behalf of accident victims like you.

Before you hire just “any” lawyer, ask them these questions:

1. Do you exclusively represent the injured?
2. Has your firm helped thousands of injured clients?
3. Has your firm obtained compensation of over a million dollars on behalf of a client?

At McGowan & Cecil, LLC, the answer to all of the questions above is YES. We have more than 120 years of collective experience, and we’ve represented thousands of injured clients over 2 decades, winning settlements and verdicts in excess of $1 million.

What Types of Damages Can You Recover?

With our help, you can recover compensation for:

• Medical expenses
• Missed wages
• Loss of earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of consortium
• And more

Call us at (301) 761-2007 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation and learn more about how we can help you today!