Train accidents are severe, dangerous, and sadly, not all too uncommon. When a trail derails, its passengers are typically injured, but in some cases, a train accident can lead to the death of several people.
When accidents like this occur, it’s difficult to understand who or what is to blame. Trains operate on a very strict set of rules, but even then, mistakes can be made and faults in infrastructure can lead to injuries and worse. It’s never a straightforward consequence of technical failure or human error – usually, it’s a combination of both.
Train derailments make up 94 percent of all train accidents, as per Scientific American. Official statistics noted at the Daily Mail tell that there are certain errors that are more usually at fault than others in train derailments. These specifically are, in order:
- Broken Rails or Welds
- Track Geometry
- Bearing Failure
- Broken Wheels
- Train Handling
While human error – train handling – is at fault quite often, it’s only the main culprit in train derailments within the United States in 4.6 percent of cases. Over a tenth – 15.3 percent – of train derailments are due to the condition of the tracks, specifically the presence of broken rails and welds.
However, the why in a train accident isn’t all people want to know. They also want to know the “what now”. After a serious train accident, if you’ve suffered injuries, you have several options available to you to help you cover your medical costs and recover from your injuries in time to rejoin the workforce.
What to Do After A Train Derailment
The first thing you’ll want to do is contact a legal professional. Getting in touch with an Arlington Heights train accident lawyer can make your life easier, especially with one from a reputed law firm – like website.
Firstly, liability has to be determined. Based on the cause of the accident, liability may lie differently across parties. The train part manufacturers may be most at fault. Alternatively, it could be the fault of the train’s operator, or the company giving instructions. The important part is that you’re ready to talk to a lawyer to build a case for your compensation.
