Texas Railroad Train Accident Lawyer – Texas Train Accident Lawyer – Railroad Injury Lawsuit
If you or a loved one were injured in a train crash or if you have lost a loved one in an railroad crash, you have important legal rights. Call us today to get the facts. Call Toll Free 1-866-777-2557 and a Texas Train Injury Lawyer will get back to you within 24 hours to discuss your claim. This is a free consultation, and there are no legal fees unless you receive money at the end of the case.
Texas Train Accident Lawsuit
Train Accidents Data and Statistics
In the United States alone, there are literally hundreds of thousands of miles of railroad tracks. Over 140,000 train crossings exist in the United States, and roughly 75% of those are marked. There are over 600 railroads, and although passenger trains are not as common as they once were, train-related injuries still occur.
On average, there are roughly 2,500 train accidents each year, but the total number of accidents has gradually been decreasing over time. For example, in 1981, there were nearly 9,500 accidents while 2013 only saw 2,100 collisions.
When collisions do occur, they often serious. They may involve explosions, fires, and significant property damage due to the dangerous or sensitive nature of the cargo.
Train collisions are especially dangerous for pedestrians and vehicles. The force of a 30-car freight train hitting your car is comparable to your car hitting a soda can. The car doesn’t stand a chance. The sheer size and force of a train makes safety extremely important. In fact, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, a motorist who is involved in a collision with a train is 20 times more likely to die compared with a crash involving another motor vehicle.
Train Accident Fatality and Injury Statistics
Preliminary data from 2015 indicates that there have been over 2,000 collisions and 244 fatalities relating to trains in that year alone. The year 2015 also saw nearly 1,000 injuries related to trains or train collisions. Some estimates indicate that a person or vehicle is struck by a train every three hours in the United States.
Train crossings involve 32% of all rail-related fatalities. It is important to stop and listen for a train before going over any tracks, whether you are in a car or on foot. Interestingly, however, most fatalities that deal with trains involve trespassers going over train tracks.
Unfortunately, 2015 was one of the highest years for the train-related fatalities since 2007. In fact, 2015 saw a 17% increase in fatalities from 2014.
Passenger train deaths are extremely rare, making train travel one of the safest options for going over the roadway. Train workers have a much higher risk of being injured by a train.
Common Causes of Train Accidents
The number one reason that railroad accidents occur is because of train conductor negligence or carelessness. Other potential causes include:
- Faulty equipment
- Improper maintenance of train tracks
- Train derailment
- Collision with another train
- Collision with a motor vehicle attempting to cross train tracks
- Collapsed are defective bridges
- Faulty or defective train crossings
Railroad companies are required to ensure the safety of their passengers, which includes regular maintenance and upkeep on train tracks and the trains themselves.