Jersey City Train Accident Lawyers

If you were injured in a train accident and don’t know how to pursue compensation for your various expenses and losses, contact Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers immediately. We understand the devastation of a train accident. It can lead to severe injuries, fatalities, and significant property damage. You need to know who caused the accident to know who you can hold liable for the suffering you experienced.

Trains are a common mode of transportation in the Garden State. Many residents will use them to commute to work, take a weekend trip to New York City, or visit friends in a different part of the state. Federal and state laws require conductors and employees to follow safety precautions to ensure the safety of passengers, railroad workers, and occupants in passing motor vehicles.

When someone makes a dangerous error, other people could end up facing the consequences. At Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers, we want our clients to have a fair chance of pursuing the necessary compensation to pay for their treatment and recovery process. You have the right to hold the train conductor or another party accountable for their negligent actions. Call us at (201) 583-5765 to find out more about our services or for a free consultation with one of our Jersey City train accident lawyers.

Common Types of Train Accidents

When you think of a train accident, you might picture a derailment or collision with a car attempting to cross the tracks. However, there are various types of accidents that could occur. They include:

• Head-on collisions – Trains traveling on the same railroad towards each other could end up colliding. These types of accidents are rare, but when they happen, they can be deadly. Head-on crashes are often the result of scheduling errors or carelessness by the person signaling the conductor.
• Derailment – Damaged rails typically lead to a train derailing. There isn’t any protection from outside elements. Railroads are subject to adverse weather, cracks, and damage. When a wheel hits a weak or defective spot, it can cause the entire train to lift off the tracks.
• Buffer stop collisions – The end of railroad tracks contain bumpers that assist trains in slowing down and stopping. A conductor who isn’t paying attention and miscalculates their stopping distance could begin to brake too late, crashing through the bumpers and off the tracks.
• Defective parts – Trains are impressive feats of engineering. However, they contain various parts and systems that must work together correctly for smooth operation. If any of the parts contain a defect or something malfunctions, it could cause an accident.

Common Causes of Jersey City Train Accidents

Many factors could contribute to a train accident. These accidents can involve train passengers, occupants of other vehicles, and pedestrians. The most common causes include:

• Human error
• Negligence
• Defective railroad tracks
• Reckless drivers
• A speeding train
• Mechanical failures
• Derailments
• Unprotected crossings

Human error – Human error causes many types of motor vehicle accidents, not just the ones involving trains. Even an experienced conductor or train employee could make a mistake that harms others. Examples include:

• Poor judgment
• Fatigue
• Slow reaction to emergencies
• Vision problems

Negligence – Negligence is the failure of one party to avoid causing injury to another. Fault could fall on the conductor, an employee, railroad company, or manufacturer of a defective train part. If any of these party’s actions contributed to the crash, they could be held liable.

Defective railroad tracks – Obstructions can lead to a train derailment. Hazards left on the tracks, whether by mistake or on purpose, could cause an accident. The conductor must always pay attention to the railway ahead to notice any potential dangers they should try to avoid.

Reckless drivers and pedestrians – Individuals working on a train aren’t always the ones responsible for a collision. Sometimes the driver of a car or a pedestrian might try to beat the oncoming train and up on the tracks as the train is passing by.

A speeding train – Even trains must obey speed limits. If they exceed the maximum limit, the conductor might not be able to stop the train in time for a hazard, a vehicle in its path, or the terminal.

Mechanical failures – Companies should inspect and maintain each train for safety measures. If they discover a defective part or equipment that isn’t working properly, they should promptly fix it.

Unprotected crossings – Many crossings don’t contain adequate warning signs, signals, and gates that inform others that a train is approaching. Without these devices, motorists, pedestrians, and others could unknowingly enter the train’s path and get hurt or, worse, killed.