Jackson Train Accident Lawyer
Train accidents tend to garner considerable media attention when they occur, but these tragedies are thankfully a rather rare occurrence in Mississippi. Unfortunately, collisions involving commuter, freight, long-distance rail service, and other trains cause extreme, devastating harm when they do happen. The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) reports that there are around 850 fatalities and more than 8,000 injuries involved with the average of 12,000 train accidents and incidents that occur every year. Victims include passengers, motorists, railroad employees, pedestrians, and many others.
You may have legal options if you were hurt or lost a loved one in a Mississippi train accident, but these cases encompass numerous complications. Instead of putting your rights at risk, trust our team at Keith B. French Law to help you navigate the complex legal process. Please contact us to set up a no-cost case assessment with a Jackson train accidents lawyer who can provide details on your specific situation. A summary of the laws and challenges may also be useful.
Mississippi Train Collision Claims Overview
Train accident laws are complicated, but these cases typically boil down to the same legal concept that applies to other personal injury claims: Negligence. For purposes of liability, you are required to prove that the train accident was the direct result of another person’s or entity’s failure to exercise reasonable care. This negligence may lead to:
- Train-on-train collisions;
- Derailments;
- Equipment failures;
- Slip and fall injuries caused by abrupt movements;
- Trips on train platforms, often the result of puddles, equipment, or debris;
- Exposure to hazardous materials; and
- Detachments and runaway train cars.
In addition, one concerning cause of train accidents in Mississippi is motorist negligence. Drivers often believe they can “beat” the train at a railway crossing, not realizing that a locomotive traveling at 55 mph takes about a mile to stop once applying the emergency brake.
The Complicated Train Accident Claims Process
One key hurdle in pursuing your legal remedies is that government officials conduct exhaustive, time-consuming investigations when a train incident causes injuries. Another challenge is that many train accident cases proceed as class actions when multiple victims are affected by the same circumstances.
Our Jackson train accidents attorney at Keith B. French Law have the skills to overcome these challenges in seeking appropriate legal relief. Your remedies depend upon the specific circumstances, but options may include:
- Workers’ Compensation: If you incurred injuries through a work-related train crash, you may qualify for monetary benefits under Mississippi’s workers’ comp system. Note that damages for pain and suffering are not available, but you do not need to prove that your employer was negligent.
- Personal Injury Claim: Victims may be entitled to damages for their medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and many other losses.
Discuss Your Remedies with a Jackson Train Accidents Lawyer
For more information on Mississippi legal remedies after a train collision, please contact Keith B. French Law. You can reach our Jackson, MS office at 832-243-6153 or visit us online to schedule a free consultation with a member of our team. Once we review your situation, we can provide additional details on your rights.
