Have you been hurt in a train accident in Fort Worth, Texas? Call Anderson Injury Lawyers at (817) 294-1900 today for a free consultation. You may be entitled to compensation, and our experienced Fort Worth train accident lawyers can help you fight for every cent you deserve.
Anderson Injury Lawyers brings experienced legal representation to injury victims and families in Fort Worth in the wake of serious train accidents. We help our clients stand up to Trinity Metro, Amtrak, and insurance companies when rail travel goes wrong.
Why Choose Anderson Injury Lawyers After a Train Accident in Fort Worth, TX
Train accident cases can be stressful, thanks to complex matters of liability, the application of state and federal train safety regulations, and unique evidentiary issues. That’s why train accident victims in Texas turn to Anderson Injury Lawyers.
Founding attorney Mark Anderson, who personally has over 30 years of experience litigating personal injury cases, is Board Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.
Members of our legal team have received numerous honors and awards, including:
- Texas Magazine’s Top Attorney
- Super Lawyers
- Members of the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum
- Martindale-Hubbell AV-rated litigators
- Avvo “Superb” attorneys
Our personal injury law firm has recovered over $100,000,000 in personal injury settlements and jury awards for clients just like you. Contact us today for a free consultation with a Fort Worth train accident attorney.
Common Causes of Train Accidents
Texas leads the nation in train accidents. According to preliminary data from the Federal Railroad Administration Statistics, there were 262 train accidents across the state of Texas, which resulted in at least 28 deaths and 83 injuries.
Many of these train accidents can be avoided, but happen because someone is careless. In fact, one-third of all train accidents are caused by human error.
Some of the most common causes include:
- Operator inattention
- Operator fatigue
- Improperly loaded cargo
- Speeding
- Unprotected railroad tracks
- Mechanical failure
- Derailments
- Negligent train maintenance and inspections
- Negligent track inspections
- Stalled vehicles on the tracks
- Signal errors
- Trespassers
- Disregarding signals
Knowing why your train accident happened is important. Our train accident attorneys in Fort Worth will investigate your case thoroughly to preserve and analyze evidence that can help us understand more about the accident and who’s at fault.
What Could My Train Accident Case Be Worth?
Every train accident is different. Every victim will face unique challenges as they recover from their injuries and get back to their lives. The costs, struggles, and trauma you experience because of your recent train accident in Fort Worth will ultimately dictate how much money you can potentially receive through an insurance settlement or jury award.
Important considerations include:
- The types of physical injuries you’ve suffered in the train accident
- The strength of your liability evidence
- Whether your injuries are permanent or disabling
- How the train accident has affected your ability to work
- Your age
- Available insurance coverage and applicable policy limits
- Claims of shared responsibility
The extent of your injuries will largely drive your claim’s value. More serious injuries tend to mean higher medical costs, longer recoveries, and more time spent away from work. This translates to a higher need for compensation to help you get back on your feet after a train accident in Fort Worth. Never underestimate how much your claim could be worth, even if your injuries are non-surgical and less severe. Even moderate soft tissue injuries, broken bones, and back injuries can be debilitating and costly – and you deserve to be compensated when they’re not your fault.
What Types of Damages Are Awarded to Fort Worth Train Accident Victims?
As the plaintiff in a train accident case in Fort Worth, TX, you can pursue two types of compensatory damages: economic and non-economic.
Economic damages cover the objective financial consequences of your train accident, which might include:
- Present and future medical bills
- Lost wages and disability
- Diminished earning capacity
- Property damage
Non-economic damages help with harder-to-value struggles, such as:
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Physical disfigurement and scarring
- PTSD
- Chronic pain
- Loss of consortium
Punitive damages, or exemplary damages, can be awarded in some cases, but only those that go to trial and establish by clear and convincing evidence that the defendant’s actions were malicious or grossly negligent.
Can Shared Fault Affect My Texas Train Accident Settlement?
Yes. Anyone who contributes to a train accident in Texas can share legal and financial responsibility for the consequences. This means that while you can potentially sue Trinity Metro, the city of Fort Worth, a train manufacturer, or another liable party for your accident, you can share responsibility if your own negligence was a contributing factor, too.
Under Texas law, shared fault leads to a reduction or loss of damages. The result is based on the degree to which your negligence was a factor in the train accident. Shared fault of less than 51 percent means a proportionate reduction in damages. If you’re 15 percent to blame, your financial recovery would be reduced by 15 percent.
If your shared fault is greater than half, you lose the right to sue other at-fault parties for damages.
Expect the train operator, the train service, the government agency, or the insurance company to point fingers and blame you for the accident. If they’re successful, their claims of shared fault can stand between you and a meaningful financial recovery.
Common Train Accident Injuries
Whether you’re a passenger on the train, a bystander, or an occupant of a passenger vehicle, a train accident can do a lot of damage and cause a wide range of physical injuries.
At Anderson Injury Lawyers, we’re here to help you pursue compensation for any injuries you’ve suffered in a Fort Worth train accident, such as:
- Broken bones
- Crush injuries
- Chest injuries
- Brain injuries
- Nerve damage
- Neck and back injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Whiplash injuries
- Paralysis injuries
- Leg injuries
- Amputation injuries
- Burn injuries
- Eye injuries
It’s important to make sure the train accident is reported right away and that you receive immediate medical attention. Any gap between the accident and your medical care can give the insurance company reason to deny your claim or dispute your damages.
How Much Does It Cost to Pursue a Train Accident Claim in Fort Worth?
Our train accident lawyers in Fort Worth, TX, represent clients on a contingency fee basis. There’s no cost to hire our personal injury law firm until we’ve recovered compensation for you.
Our fee is a percentage of your financial recovery, and we’ll be reimbursed for any costs invested in pursuing your train injury case.
If we don’t win, you pay nothing.
What Is the Statute of Limitations for Train Accident Lawsuits in Texas?
It depends on the defendant named in your train accident case. If you’re filing a lawsuit against a private train service like Amtrak, a negligent motorist, or a manufacturer, the statute of limitations is generally two years from the date of your train accident.
If a government agency is involved in your train accident case, your claim will be subject to the Texas Tort Claims Act (TTCA). Under the TTCA, you have two years to file a lawsuit, but are also held to an accelerated notice requirement. For claims against the state of Texas, you have up to 180 days to provide written notice of your claim. Claims against local agencies in Fort Worth, you also have 180 days to provide a notice of claim. If you miss these early deadlines, you lose the right to recover compensation from a public train service or a negligent government agency.
Schedule a Free Consultation With an Experienced Fort Worth Train Accident Lawyer
If you or someone you love was hurt in a train accident in Fort Worth, TX, call Anderson Injury Lawyers. You shouldn’t have to struggle with the challenges of your injuries on your own. A train service was careless, and our Fort Worth train accident attorneys are ready to hold it accountable.
We’ve helped injury victims and families in Texas recover over $100 million in damages. Now, we’re here to help you demand financial justice for your train accident injuries, too. Contact our Fort Worth law office today to get started. Your first case review is free.
