Hollywood Train Accident Lawyers
When we think of traffic accidents, we typically think of car accidents, but while they are less frequent, train accidents can be devastating. These accidents are more likely to lead to permanent and fatal injuries, so if you have been injured in a train accident, contact the Hollywood, FL train accident lawyers at Flaxman Law Group for a free consultation. Since your injuries are likely to be serious, it’s so important to start protecting your right to fair compensation right away.
Hollywood, FL Train Accident Statistics
Between 2017 and 2023 about 370 people across Florida have been killed by trains. In about half of fatal train accident cases in the state, accidents occurred when people were running or walking near or on the tracks.
According to Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) statistics, Florida is fourth in the nation when it comes to train accidents. In 2023, the FRA recorded 122 highway-rail grade crossing accidents in Florida, resulting in 47 non-fatal injuries.
Common Types of Train Accidents
Train accidents can vary in severity depending on what kind of collision takes place. The most common types of train accidents include:
- Train-Car Collisions. One of the most common types of train accidents occurs when a vehicle is struck by a moving train at a crossing. Trains cannot stop or even significantly slow down quickly, which makes these collisions extremely dangerous. Car-train crashes can happen when drivers fail to stop at crossings or when cars become stuck on the tracks. These accidents often lead to severe injuries or fatalities.
- Train-Pedestrian Accidents. Many people are injured or killed while trying to cross train tracks, sometimes because of poor visibility, inattentiveness, or a lack of proper warning signs. Unfortunately, due to the high speed and momentum of trains, these accidents tend to have catastrophic outcomes.
- Childhood Accidents. Unfortunately, children are often very curious about trains, and in some cases children wander onto train tracks or even attempt to play on or near tracks. Small children may not understand the dangers, and can easily suffer fatal injuries.
- Train Derailments. A train derailment happens when a train goes off its tracks, usually because of mechanical failure, track issues, or poor weather conditions. Derailments often cause massive damage, including property destruction, injuries, and environmental hazards, especially if hazardous materials are being transported.
- Mechanical Failures. When trains experience mechanical problems, such as issues with the brakes, wheels, or coupling systems, it can lead to derailments or crashes. In some cases, the company responsible for designing or operating the trains may be found liable in these cases.
- Falling Cargo Accidents. Freight trains often carry heavy or dangerous cargo, including logs, fuels, waste materials, and flammable substances. If this cargo spills because it’s not properly secured, it can crash into buildings and people. It can also cause environmental disasters.
- Train-Only Collisions. Though less common, train-to-train collisions do occur in rail yards, at crossings, and other locations where trains are operating in close proximity. Such accidents can cause multiple casualties and significant disruption to rail travel.
More generally, train accidents can be divided into freight train or passenger train accidents. Freight train accidents involve large trains carrying cargo. Passenger train accidents occur when a train carrying travelers runs into trouble. In these cases, the passengers inside can suffer serious injury.
Common Causes of Train Accidents
One of the most common causes of train accidents is human error. Train operators, conductors, and other employees can make poor decisions that lead to devastating collisions. These errors can result from fatigue, distraction, miscommunication, or lack of training. For instance, a train operator might fail to stop at a red signal, misjudge the speed of an approaching vehicle, or make an error when switching tracks.
Another significant cause of train accidents is mechanical failure. A malfunction in train brakes, signal systems, engines, tracks, or any of the components that make up a train system can lead to accidents. For example, faulty brakes, broken wheels, or track issues can cause a derailment or even a collision with another train. Regular maintenance and timely inspections are crucial to ensure the proper functioning of these parts.
Track conditions also play a significant role in train accidents. Over time, wear and tear on the tracks can create hazardous conditions for trains. Cracks, broken rails, and debris on the tracks can cause derailments if tracks aren’t inspected and maintained correctly.
Weather conditions are another factor that can contribute to train accidents. Heavy rain, fog, wind, and other conditions can reduce visibility and affect the traction of trains on the tracks. Extreme weather events, such as hurricanes or tornadoes, may also cause widespread damage to railroad infrastructure, increasing the likelihood of accidents.
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Negligence
Negligence is a critical factor in many train accidents. In the legal context, negligence refers to a failure to exercise the level of care that a reasonable party would provide in similar circumstances. When negligence occurs in a train accident, the responsible party can be held liable for damages.
If you’ve been injured in a train accident, you may want to consult with Hollywood, FL train accident lawyers to find all liable parties in your accident. These liable parties may include:
- Train operators. Train operators and conductors are responsible for maintaining control over the train and ensuring it operates safely. If they fail to follow operational protocols and end up speeding, running red lights, or failing to signal correctly, they may be deemed negligent. Operator negligence is a leading cause of train accidents.
- Railroad companies. Railroad companies are responsible for maintaining their trains, tracks, and equipment. If they neglect to repair faulty equipment or fail to perform necessary maintenance on trains, tracks, and signal and warning devices, they could be held accountable for accidents resulting from those failures. They can also be held accountable if they fail to vet and train their employees correctly or fail to implement the right safety procedures.
- Other road users. If a driver is impaired and parks on train tracks, for example, they can be held liable if their actions lead to a train accident that causes harm to passengers and operators.
If you have been involved in a train accident due to negligence, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries, property damage, lost income, and more. If you have lost a loved one in a train derailment or other accident, you can file a wrongful death claim and seek compensation for final medical bills, loss of income support, funeral and burial costs, and more.
To find all liable parties and to prove your case, however, you will want to work with Hollywood, FL train accident lawyers who have worked with other train accident survivors. At Flaxman Law Group, we make it easy to connect with an attorney because we offer free, no obligation case evaluations. Just contact us to find out whether you have a case and to discuss what you may be able to do next to protect your right to financial recovery.
Whether you were a passenger, a driver involved in a train-car collision, or a pedestrian, our legal team can assist you in seeking justice and securing compensation. If negligence was involved, you should not be left to face the repercussions on your own.
Who Gets into These Accidents?
Passengers are among the most common victims of train accidents. Whether they are traveling by commuter train, regional train, or long-distance rail, a sudden impact can throw passengers around inside the train cars, leading to broken bones, head injuries, and even fatal injuries. Passengers can crash into each other and objects such as suitcases can become airborne, striking passengers and causing even more injuries. In passenger train accidents, multiple casualties are often reported, and serious injuries may require long-term rehabilitation.
Drivers of vehicles at railroad crossings or near train tracks also face significant risks. Many accidents occur when a train collides with a car or truck at a railroad crossing. Despite the presence of warning signals, gates, and lights, drivers sometimes misjudge the train’s speed or fail to stop in time. If occupants of the vehicle can’t get away in time, the driver and passengers of the vehicle are injured or killed.
Pedestrians are often involved in train accidents as well. Whether crossing tracks at an unauthorized location or walking near active railways, pedestrians can be struck by trains, sometimes with fatal consequences. While it may seem like a rare occurrence, pedestrians who disregard warning signals or fail to be cautious around railroads are at risk, especially in areas where trains travel at high speeds.
Unfortunately, children are especially overrepresented among pedestrians struck by trains. Children are naturally curious and may decide to check out trains. They may ignore warning signs and not know how to stay safe near tracks.
Train operators and employees of train companies are also among those who can get injured during a train accident. In a train accident or derailment, operators can get thrown around the inside of the train, leading to injuries. Being in a serious accident or seeing someone on the tracks run over and being able to prevent the tragedy also leads to PTSD and trauma, which can make it hard for operators to continue their careers.
Employees of railway companies may be entitled to workers’ compensation claims, but they might also be able to seek additional compensation if the accident resulted from the negligence of a third party.
Bystanders near railroad tracks, such as individuals near industrial areas or workers in the vicinity of active train routes, can also become victims of train accidents. Sometimes, trains may derail or lose control, leading to flying debris or collisions with nearby structures. This can result in injuries to individuals who were not on or directly near the train.
If you or a loved one has been involved in a train accident in Hollywood, FL, or the surrounding South Florida area, consult with Hollywood, FL train accident lawyers as soon as possible. It’s easy to dismiss train collisions as “accidents,” but in many cases these incidents are preventable. Find out whether you have a claim and evaluate the value of your claim before signing any documents the railway company or insurance companies may want you to sign. Let a lawyer explain what your rights are.
At Flaxman Law Group, we can help you understand your options and secure the compensation you deserve. The reality is that a train accident can cause financial hardship for survivors. From medical bills to lost wages and long-term rehabilitation costs as well as personal property damage, these incidents often lead to overwhelming expenses. Our legal team works to secure fair compensation for you so you don’t have to worry how you will pay all these costs yourself.
After a serious accident, you may be more focused on taking care of your health. You shouldn’t have to deal with complicated legal documents and money worries, too. At Flaxman Law Group, our team takes care of all the details for you. We can even find you a rental car if your vehicle is damaged in a train accident.
Flaxman Law Group is a bilingual (English and Spanish), family-focused law firm with a father-son attorney team. We focus exclusively on helping those who are injured—we never represent insurance companies. At the same time, our attorneys have experience in the insurance industry, so we understand claims from both sides of the negotiation table. This helps us understand the tactics insurers may use to try to lowball your claim—and how we can fight back.
Contact Flaxman Law Group for a free, no-obligation consultation. Our attorneys will carefully evaluate your case, answer your questions, and help you understand what steps you can take next to seek compensation.
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