Were you or a loved one injured in a train accident in Austin, Texas? Anderson Injury Lawyers can help you fight for compensation. Contact us at (512) 399-5000 for a free consultation with an experienced train accident lawyer. You may deserve compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and more.
Train accidents can cause devastating injuries and raise complex questions about who is responsible. Whether your accident involved a passenger train, commuter rail, or another railway vehicle, our law firm can investigate what happened, identify potentially liable parties, and pursue the compensation you deserve.
Why Choose Anderson Injury Lawyers for Legal Representation After a Train Accident in Austin, TX?
Train accident claims can be complex, often involving serious injuries, multiple liable parties, transportation companies, and government agencies. An experienced legal team can help you navigate the process and fight for the compensation you deserve.
Anderson Injury Lawyers is led by a board-certified Texas trial lawyer, a distinction held by only 2% of attorneys in the state.
Our Austin personal injury attorneys have been recognized by:
- Avvo, with a perfect 10.0 Superb rating
- Martindale-Hubbell, with an AV Preeminent rating
- Super Lawyers
- Texas Magazine, with a Top Attorney rating
These honors reflect our commitment to providing high-quality representation to injured clients.
Our Austin train accident attorneys take a hands-on approach to every case. We’ll investigate the accident, gather evidence, identify liable parties, and work with leading experts when needed. Contact us today for a free consultation to discuss your case.
How Much Is My Austin Train Accident Case Worth?
The value of any personal injury case depends on multiple factors that are specific to your injuries and losses.
When determining the potential value of your claim, our attorneys consider:
- What types of injuries you have suffered
- Whether your injuries were permanent or catastrophic
- Whether your income or earning capacity have changed
- The amount you’ve spent on medical care
- How the injury will impact your future financial picture, in terms of ongoing costs
- How your quality of life has changed
- The circumstances of the accident
- The strength of the evidence
There’s no one-size-fits-all settlement. Cases involving severe or life-changing injuries tend to be worth more. Still, it all comes down to the facts.
Consulting an experienced attorney is the best way to get a clear picture of your case value. It’s always important to consult an attorney before taking an insurance deal. Insurance companies are not likely to pay the full value of your claim without a fight. Our attorneys have the tools and experience to assess your case value and fight for every dollar.
What Types of Damages Are Available to Victims of Train Accidents in Austin?
Damages in personal injury cases are divided into two principal categories: economic damages and non-economic damages. Each category is meant to address the different ways the injury has changed your life.
Economic Damages in Texas
Economic damages are meant to help you deal with the financial costs of the accident, including:
- Medical expenses and anticipated future medical costs
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning potential
- Rehabilitation and physical therapy expenses
- Property damage and vehicle repairs
These damages are meant to return you to the same financial position you occupied prior to the accident.
Non-Economic Damages in Texas
Non-economic damages are paid out to help you deal with more personal losses, including:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Disfigurement
- Scarring
- Depression
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Reduced quality of life
- Loss of consortium
Because these losses are subjective, they can be tough to prove. It’s important to have an attorney advocating on your behalf when it comes time to tell your story.
Who Is Responsible for Paying My Damages After a Train Accident in Texas?
Anyone whose negligent or wrongful acts contributed to the cause of the accident can be financially responsible.
Parties who may bear responsibility include:
- The railroad company
- State or federal government agencies responsible for railroad crossings, lights, and/or gates
- A company that owned the railroad tracks
- Maintenance companies
- Companies hired to conduct inspections
- Train crew members
- Third-party motorists
- Manufacturers of defective train equipment
Our attorneys will conduct their own investigation into the accident. Once we understand why the accident occurred, we can identify the at-fault parties.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer After a Train Accident in Texas?
Our team represents clients on contingency. With a contingency fee arrangement, you don’t pay anything upfront. Your attorney only gets paid when they’ve successfully recovered compensation in your case.
After your case is resolved, we take a percentage of the compensation we’ve recovered.
How Can Texas’s Shared Fault Laws Impact My Train Accident Claim?
Your compensation will be impacted if you share blame for the accident. Texas uses a modified comparative negligence system. Your total recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault.
In Texas, you lose your right to damages if your share of fault is greater than 50%.
Victim-blaming is common, especially when you’re dealing with insurance companies and defense lawyers. Our Austin train accident attorneys will be ready to fight back when you’re blamed.
Our Injury Attorneys in Austin Represent Clients With All Types of Train Accident Injuries
Railroad accidents can vary significantly in terms of severity. The resulting injuries can also vary, depending on the nature of the accident.
Our legal team is here to help you seek compensation for all of your injuries, including:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Burns
- Broken bones
- Concussions
- Back injuries
- Soft tissue damage
- Nerve damage
- Head and neck injuries
- Whiplash injuries
- Internal bleeding
- Organ damage
- Crushing injuries
- Amputations and lost limbs
- Paralysis
- Catastrophic injuries
- The wrongful death of a loved one
The rush of adrenaline you experience in an accident can mask signs of these and other injuries. It’s important to seek medical attention right away–even if your injuries aren’t obvious.
What Causes Most Train Accidents in Austin?
Some common causes of train accidents include:
- Distracted train operators
- Speeding
- Mechanical failures
- Improper switch handling
- Improperly maintained train tracks or vehicles
- Ignoring state and federal safety regulations
- Inexperienced or unqualified train operators and employees
- Malfunctions in railroad crossing signals
- Signal defects
- Failure to conduct routine inspections
- Defective or missing cross-ties
- Braking problems
- Driver error
Identifying the cause of a train accident is an important step in determining who may be legally responsible for your injuries and damages.
What Is Negligence and How Is It Relevant to a Train Accident Claim in Texas?
Negligence is the legal principle involved in most personal injury cases. Victims have the burden of proving that someone else’s actions caused their injuries.
Broken down into four separate elements, most victims must establish:
- The defendant had a duty of care, such as a duty to maintain the train tracks or use reasonable care in operating the train
- They failed to satisfy their duty of care
- That failure, or breach, directly caused the accident
- As a victim, you suffered losses or damages due to the accident
Other legal theories might be relevant. For example, vicarious liability laws hold employers responsible for their employees’ negligence.
While you recover, our attorneys will handle these and other legal issues. Call us today to start building your case.
How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit After a Train Accident in Texas?
In most Texas personal injury cases, you have two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. However, certain circumstances can affect this deadline, particularly when a government entity is involved.
Missing an applicable filing deadline could prevent you from recovering compensation. Speaking with a lawyer as soon as possible can help you understand which deadlines apply to your case.
Contact an Austin Train Accident Lawyer for a Free Case Review Today
Anderson Injury Lawyers is a leading personal injury law firm in Austin. You can count on us to protect your legal rights. We know how to handle the insurance companies and defense teams. Call us today to learn more about how an experienced Austin train accident attorney can help your family fight for the compensation you deserve.