Nassau County Train Accident

While railroad accidents are not as common as auto accident, when they do occur victims often suffer devastating injuries. Millions of people in New York ride trains each day. In addition to being home of the largest subway system in the country, other major rail lines operate in New York including the Long Island Rail Road, Amtrak, PATH, New Jersey Transit, Metro North and freight trains. The train offers many convenient benefits, including comfort, reliability and economic fare prices. Many people rely on them as a main transportation option. In 2010, there were a total of around 7,200 individuals injured due to a railroad accident. Regardless of the type of train, those who are injured in rail accidents sometimes suffer severe injuries such as trauma to the head, injuries to the back and spinal cord, and damage to the neck. Injuries to the head and back can lead to permanent conditions such as paralysis and other life-changing disabilities. Unfortunately, there are many cases where victims of train accidents suffer injuries so severe that they do not survive. The law allows victims of train injuries and their survivors to demand compensation for losses suffered. If you are in need of a an injury lawyer because you or a loved one were seriously hurt in a train accident it is important that you immediately speak with an experienced Nassau County train accident lawyer for guidance.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is a federal agency charged with investigating train accidents. According to the NTSB, the most frequent types of railroad-related accidents are derailments, two trains colliding, and a train colliding with a car. There are a variety of reasons that these types of train accidents occur. However, they are almost caused by an act of negligence such as:

• Alcohol or illegal drug use
• Defective railroad crossings
• Poor maintenance
• Inadequate signal interchanges
• Inconsistent train track or rail inspection
• Defective crossing signals
• Failure to use horn
• Operator fatigue
• Excessive speed

While many accidents involve two trains or a trains and vehicles, some accidents involve trains and pedestrians. There are many cases when pedestrians are struck and injured or killed by commuter trains. There are also accidents that occur on trains, in stations, and on platforms. Such accidents include electrocution, slip and fall accidents, and staircase accidents.

If you suffer a serious injury in a car accident you have the right to such the negligent person or entity and demand compensation for the various losses that you suffered.

• Medical bills: With a serious injury such as a head, back or neck injury, you will undoubtedly accumulate a significant about of medical bills. The bills may include expenses related to the hospital, emergency room, doctor, surgeon, medical equipment, rehabilitation, and medication.
• Loss of income: With a serious injury, you will undoubtedly miss work. For example, it may take week, months and even years for the symptoms of a brain injury to resolve. A broken leg may require you to be in cast for several weeks. Missing work means you will miss paychecks, leaving your family in financial jeopardy. Through a personal injury lawsuit you can demand payment for the paychecks you missed, as well as for the value of other benefits and opportunities you missed while recovering.
• Pain and suffering: You may also be able to recover compensation for the pain and suffering that you suffered as a result of the accident. Pain and suffering refers to the physical pain you suffered as evidenced by the type of injury and the type of treatment required. It also refers to the mental suffering you experienced as a result of the accident.
• Wrongful death: If a family member died as a result of the injuries suffered in the train accident, you may have the right to file a personal injury lawsuit to recover compensation.

If you have been seriously injured in a train accident it is important that you are represented by an attorney that understands federal and local law related to railroads such as the Federal Employers Liability Act. Contact the attorneys at the Law Offices of Stephen Bilkis & Associates to discuss the details of your case. We regularly handle complex damage cases, including claims for wrongful death and personal injury arising out of transportation accidents. Contact us at 800.696.9529 to schedule a free, no obligation consultation regarding your case. We represent clients in the following locations: the Bronx, Brooklyn, Long Island, Manhattan, Nassau County, Queens, Staten Island, Suffolk County and Westchester County.