Do not let the fact that train accidents and derailments are rare lead you to believe that they are not serious or worthy of considering. Yes, it is true that train accidents are much less common than car accidents but it is also true that train accidents are very often fatal. When you think about how large trains are, how many people are on it, and the speed it is going, it is easy to see why derailments are so often fatal train accidents.
In some cases, train derailments are no one’s fault. In other instances, they can be easily traced to an error made by an individual. If you have been affected by a train accident that was the result of the train operator acting negligently, then we urge you to contact Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas at 909-982-0707 for a free legal consultation.
Data on Train Derailments
According to statistics from the Federal Railroad Administration, there were nearly 10,000 train derailments in the United States between the years 2010 and 2016. In California alone there were 444 train derailments in that time period. In 2016 alone there were more than 785 people killed in train accidents across the country, 156 of which happened in California.
Common Causes of Train Derailments
While train derailments are not the only type of train accident, they are the most common. A derailment can happen on the main track, the side track, or even the yard tracks. A derailment is very dangerous on account of how fast trains move. This means that the force on impact is tremendous. There are a number of potential causes of derailments including joint bar defects, broken rails and welds, track-train interaction, wide gauges, and buckled tracks. However, note that broken rails and weld are responsible for more than half of track-related derailments.
Equipment Failure Can Cause Derailments
Another potential cause of a train derailment is equipment failure. This can include the train break not working correctly, defects in the car axle and journal, failure of the locomotive bearing or wheel, broken car wheels, defects in the locomotive’s electric system, and failure of the car suspension. Human factors that can cause train accidents include speeding, not obey signals, not properly setting track switches, vandalism, and obstruction.
Have You Been Involved in a Train Accident?
If you have been injured in a train accident, or have lost a loved one in a train accident, then we strongly urge you to contact Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas at 909-982-0707. Depending on the specifics of the case, you may have grounds for compensation. Your initial consultation is entirely free and confidential. If we decide to take your case on, we will do so on a contingency basis that assures you pay nothing upfront. Call now to discover your options.
