Kentucky Train Accident Attorneys
Legal help in Lexington and Louisville when you’re hurt in a railroad accident
The railroad industry is heavily regulated, both by state and federal law. These rules mandate railroads and train operators to take proper steps to protect passengers, including maintaining cars, rails, and properly screening employees. When they fail in these safety practices and people get hurt, railroad companies and operators must be held accountable for the harm they cause.
Going up against a train company and their insurance representatives can seem overwhelming and impossible, especially when you are trying to recover from serious injuries. This is where the Kentucky train accident attorneys at Wilt Injury Lawyers come in. When we take your case, we negotiate on your behalf – and if we cannot work to secure a satisfactory settlement, we are not afraid to go to trial. We want to help. Contact us in Lexington or Louisville today.
How can we help today?
- What are popular railways in Kentucky?
- How common are train accidents in Kentucky?
- What are the most frequent causes of train accidents?
- What are the duties of the Federal Railroad Administration?
- What are common injuries from Kentucky train accidents?
- What is the value of my Kentucky train accident claim?
- Do you have a train accident attorney near me?
What are popular railways in Kentucky?
The state of Kentucky offers a variety of commuter, passenger, and tourist/excursion trains for residents and locals. These include:
- Amtrak, serving Ashland, Fulton, Louisville, Maysville, and South Portsmouth
- Big South Fork Scenic Railway (BSFX), Stearns, KY
- Bluegrass Scenic Railroad and Museum (BRMI), Versailles, KY
- Kentucky Railway Museum (KRM), New Haven, KY
- My Old Kentucky Dinner Train, Bardstown, KY
- Big South Fork Scenic Railway (BSFX), Stearns, KY
How common are train accidents in Kentucky?
According to the National Safety Council (NSC), railroad deaths across the United States totaled 893 in 2021, with 5,781 non-fatal injuries. They also note that:
From 2020 to 2021, fatalities at highway-rail crossings increased 21%, while fatalities involving other types of incidents increased 20%. The latter included 617 deaths (94%) attributed to trespassers. Eleven employees were killed while on duty, equal to the 2020 death toll. There were six train passenger deaths, up from two deaths in 2020.
The Kentucky Department of Transportation’s annual Traffic Collision Facts Report states in 2020 there were 19 motor vehicle accidents involving a train. One of these accidents resulted in a fatality.
What are the most frequent causes of train accidents?
Although railway accidents can happen for the same reason as car accidents or commercial truck crashes, there are also some issues unique to trains. Some of the reasons train accidents occur include:
- Negligence. The most common at-fault party for a train accident is the train conductor, often due to operating the train while intoxicated, while distracted, or while fatigued. However, negligence can also be placed on the train or railway company, or even a careless motorist.
- Human error. If a conductor lacks the proper training or simply makes a careless mistake, they can cause a serious train accident. This is typically the cause of most train crashes and collisions.
- Driver or pedestrian error. Motorists or pedestrians who fail to follow traffic or railway signage can cause tragic accidents – for example, trying to beat a train through a crossing, or trespassing on the tracks.
- Defective or broken tracks. Because railways are complex systems involving massive pieces of machinery, they require constant repair and maintenance. Any failure in tracks and switches can result in a serious train accident.
- Mechanical malfunctions. Again, these complex railway systems must be constantly maintained to stay in good, safe working order. When companies and operators fail in regular inspections and any part of the train or its safety equipment fails, disaster can occur.
The Kentucky attorneys at Wilt Injury Lawyers will work with our network of experts to determine exactly what went wrong that resulted in your accident and injuries.
What are the duties of the Federal Railroad Administration?
The Federal Railroad Administration’s (FRA) oversees the Office of Railroad Safety, which works to ensure the safety of workers and passengers throughout the United States. Per the FRA, they focus on compliance in the following areas:
- Grade crossings
- Hazardous materials
- Motive power and equipment
- Operating practices
- Signal and train control
- Tracks
- Railroad safety and stakeholder training (including State safety inspectors)
- Accident and employee fatality investigations and reporting
- Partnerships between labor, management, and the agency that address systemic initiatives
- Development and implementation of safety rules and standards
The Kentucky train accident lawyers at Wilt Injury Lawyers can work with the FRA if necessary to strengthen your personal injury case.
What are common injuries from Kentucky train accidents?
Even though the FRA is responsible for setting and enforcing these safety regulations, not all train companies and operators follow through. When they fail to take proper care (or when other parties or entities act negligently) and cause a train accident, people can experience severe injuries, including:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Broken, fractured, and crushed bones
- Traumatic amputations
- Severe burn injuries
- Internal organ damage and bleeding
- Lacerations and abrasions
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Wrongful death
It’s important to not only determine how your injuries are affecting you now, but also how they will affect you far into the future. Serious injuries typically take months, or even years, to heal – and some injuries will stay with you for the rest of your life.
What is the value of my Kentucky train accident claim?
The attorneys at Wilt Injury Lawyers, we understand that a train accident can leave you with life-altering injuries. We fight to secure compensation for all of your injuries and losses, whether through negotiations and settlement or by going to trial – whatever is best for your personal situation and whatever gets you the benefits to which you are entitled. These can include:
- Medical bills
- Wage loss
- Rehabilitation services and equipment
- Miscellaneous expenses related to your injuries
- Pain and suffering
- Property damage
We are happy to discuss the specifics of your case in a free personalized consultation.
Do you have a train accident attorney near me?
Wilt Injury Lawyers has offices in Louisville and Lexington: