Northeast Indiana Train Accident Lawyers

Based on a report by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), 2,178 train accidents occurred in the U.S. in 2022, and these collisions resulted in 763 injuries and 273 deaths. 101 of these collisions occurred in Indiana, and these caused 28 injuries and 19 deaths. Unfortunately, Indiana ranked 5th in states with the most train accidents and deaths.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a train accident, multiple people, companies, and insurers may be held responsible for your losses, which makes it crucial to have an experienced Indiana train accident attorney on your side. 

What Causes Train Accidents in Indiana?

According to the FRA, train accidents usually occur because of the following:

• Issues with the track, structure, and roadbed
• Operation errors due to human factors
• Communication and signal errors
• Electrical and mechanical defects

When train accidents occur, they generally involve: 

• Derailments
• Pedestrians getting struck by trains
• Trains colliding with motor vehicles
• Trains crashing into other trains

Who is Liable in an Indiana Train Accident?

Depending on the specific nature of the train collision, you can hold one or more of these parties liable for your injuries and other damages: 

• The railroad track owner – Different private companies or government agencies may own different sections of the railroad track. If a collision happens due to a hazardous condition on the railroad track, you may hold the owner of that track liable.
• The train company – Train operators and their workers are responsible for ensuring the safety of their passengers. If they fail to do so, they can be held responsible due to their negligence under the vicarious liability laws. 
• A pedestrian or a motorist – If a pedestrian or motorist, including drivers or motorcyclists, caused the crash, you can hold them liable for your damages. 
• The train or railroad track manufacturer – You may hold the train or track manufacturer liable if the train collision occurred due to a defective train, track, train component, or track component. 

How Can I Recover Financial Compensation After an Indiana Train Accident?

If you were injured as a passenger, pedestrian, or another motorist in a train accident, you must file a third-party insurance claim or a personal injury claim against the party responsible for the accident to recover compensation. If you were injured as a train employee, you have several options to recoup compensation. 

If the train accident occurred because of your employer or another worker’s negligence, you may seek compensation through your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance or the Federal Employers Liability Act claim (FELA), depending on your circumstances. If another party, other than your co-worker or employer, is at fault for the collision, you can file a claim against the liable party. 

Get Legal Advice From an Indiana Train Accident Attorney Now

As you can see above, train accidents can involve multiple parties, insurers, and options for compensation. For legal assistance securing compensation after getting injured in a train crash, contact Andrews & Crell, PC, to discuss your case with our Indiana train accident attorney. Reach us online or call us to schedule your appointment.