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Causes of Kentucky Train Accidents

Numerous freight, commuter, passenger, and excursion trains operate throughout the state of Kentucky. Unfortunately, the number of accidents involving trains in the state is increasing.

According to the Federal Railroad Administration, of the 22 train accidents that occurred in Kentucky in 2022, human error led to $1,522,738 of reportable damages. As of August 21, 2023, 10 additional incidents have occurred, resulting in more injuries and fatalities. On July 25, a 25-year-old woman was killed after being hit by a train in Laurel County.

Although train accidents frequently happen for the same reasons as car or truck crashes occur, there are some reasons that are unique to trains, such as:

But no matter what caused a train accident and the resulting injuries, liability will need to be determined so that the injured parties can recover fair damages. Since liability in a train accident case can be complicated, it’s prudent to enlist the assistance of an experienced Kentucky personal injury attorney to investigate and determine fault.

Liability for train accidents in Kentucky

The details of a train accident must be thoroughly examined to determine fault and ensure proper compensation for injured persons. According to the Department of Transportation Act of 1966, the Federal Railroad Administration has the authority (and responsibility) to oversee and promote railway safety regulations.

Railroad companies and commuter rail lines have a legal obligation to maintain the highest level of safety for all passengers and are required to install a black box – a device that records information that might be necessary to review in the event of an accident – on all engines.

To attain safety, railroad companies must ensure the protection of all passengers, operators, pedestrians, and the public. While the railroad company is ultimately responsible for train safety, they do not always live up to expectations; however, the company or conductor is not always entirely at fault. Because serious or deadly train accidents can occur for numerous reasons, it is critical to retain an attorney who is knowledgeable in railroad accident litigation.

Avoiding train accidents

While an experienced railroad accident lawyer can help an injured person obtain compensation for a serious personal injury or the death of a loved one, it’s always best to avoid injury and the need for a lawyer in the first place.

Here are some tips on how to evade a train accident and escape injury:

The attorneys at Wilt Injury Lawyers understand that a train accident can lead to life-changing injuries, and we fight hard to obtain fair compensation for our clients. Call us or fill out our contact form to schedule your free initial consultation with one of our experienced lawyers today. If your injuries prevent you from traveling to our offices in Lexington and Louisville, we can arrange a phone or video conference, and make hospital visits if necessary.