Though trains have become safer over time, train accidents still occur every year in the United States. When a train veers off of railroad tracks or collides with another vehicle, the potential for injury and death is significant. While Tennesseans do not rely on trains as much as they did in the past, many Nashville commuters, residents, and visitors continue to use rail-based transportation. Under Tennessee law, those who suffer injuries caused by a conductor or railroad company’s negligence in a train accident may be entitled to damages.
If you or a loved one have suffered an injury resulting from a Nashville train accident, the attorneys at Cummings Law can help. Our skilled personal injury attorney understands how stressful recovering from a train accident injury can be. Mounting medical bills, doctor’s appointments, and the stress of being unable to return to work leave may accident victims stressed and worried. Our personal injury attorneys can help fight for your right to compensation.
Tennessee Is Home to Several Train Lines
Tennessee is home to several different railroad operations including Amtrak, a passenger railroad service that provides medium and long-distance train services within Tennessee. Amtrak provides stops in the cities of Nashville, Newbern-Dyersburg, and Memphis. Additionally, multiple scenic passenger trains operate in Tennessee, offering customers lush Appalachian scenery and the nostalgia that comes with riding in old-fashioned trains.
Nashville is home to the Music City Star, a commuter rail train system managed by the Regional Transportation Authority of Middle Tennessee. With seven stations and 32 miles of track, the Music City Star commuter trains provided nearly 300,000 passenger trips in 2018. If you’ve suffered an injury while riding on a Music City Star train, you may have a valid legal claim against the city of Nashville. The personal injury attorneys at Cummings Law can advise you as to your legal rights.
Common Causes of a Tennessee Train Accident
Unfortunately, train accidents do occur in Tennessee, and when they do, the results can be devastating. Common causes of train accidents in Tennessee include the following:
- Distracted train conductors and operators
- Train conductor negligence
- Failure of train warning systems
- Excessive train speed
- Faulty equipment
- Collision of a train with another train
- Bridges that collapse under the weight of trains
- Collision of a train and a motor vehicle that was attempting to cross the tracks
- Train derailments caused by poorly maintained tracks
- Train derailment due to poorly maintained train wheels
- Train derailment caused by poorly maintained brakes
Most Tennessee train accidents happen due to track or roadbed malfunctions, mechanical failure, or human error. Conductor negligence is one of the leading causes of train accidents. When conductors are distracted by an electronic device or are overly tired, their negligent operation of the train may cause an accident.
In a recent Amtrak train accident, the train conductor made a turn at over 100 miles per hour. Human error in the form of distracted driving caused the driver to make a negligent turn. Had the conductor used reasonable care, he or she would have reduced his speed before making the turn. Sadly, the conductor’s negligence resulted in passenger deaths and injuries.
When railroad companies fail to maintain railroad tracks, accidents can result. The United States is home to over 140,000 miles of railroad tracks. While some railroad companies have worked to improve the condition of railroad tracks, broken rails and track issues account for many train derailments.
Typically, train accidents are complex to investigate. Several factors may have contributed to the accident. Proving who is at-fault for the accident can also be challenging. If you’ve suffered an injury resulting from a train accident, we can help. Our attorneys are familiar with the multiple factors involved in train accidents.
Who Is Responsible for Tennessee Train Accidents?
The train accident lawyers at Cummings Law can thoroughly investigate your train accident. After reviewing the information gathered by our investigation, we will determine which parties may be at fault. All of the following parties may be at least partially responsible for a train accident:
- Negligent car, truck, bus, or van drivers
- Negligent engineers who may have designed unsafe crossings, tracks, or equipment
- Negligent or reckless train and railroad conductors
- Unruly passengers
- Railroad or train owners who failed to properly maintain crossings, equipment, or tracks
- City or municipality whose employees provided insufficient maintenance of tracks or crossings
Determining Who Is Liable for Your Train Accident Injuries
At Cummings Law, our attorneys will help determine which party or parties may be liable for your injuries under Tennessee law. It is crucial to hire a Nashville attorney as soon as possible. Determining the cause of the train accident can take a significant amount of time. In many cases, government agencies will need to investigate the crash. We will interview all witnesses to your train accident and examine any security footage, conductor employment records, safety records, and any other relevant evidence.
Filing an Insurance Company Claim for Your Train Accident
If you suffered an injury in a railroad accident, you may be able to file an insurance claim under the railroad company’s insurance policy. Unfortunately, insurance companies are usually reluctant to pay train accident victims a fair amount of compensation. If you’d like to avoid fighting with the railroad company’s insurance company, our attorneys can help. Our legal team has significant experience in negotiating with insurance companies to procure a fair insurance settlement on behalf of our clients.
Contact Our Nashville Train Accident Attorney Today!
Absolutely! If you’re considering filing a lawsuit to seek compensation for your train accident injuries, we can help. The attorneys at Cummings Law can assertively represent the best interests in your train accident case. Our attorneys have a proven track record of providing excellent results. Contact our Nashville law firm today to schedule your initial consultation.
