Although traveling by rail is believed to be one of the safest forms of transportation, more than 2,500 train accidents occur across the nation each year. In 2022 alone, over 950 people died as a result of a serious train accident, according to government statistics. Many others were catastrophic injury victims, suffering traumatic brain injury, amputations, spinal cord injuries, burns and shrapnel injuries from fires, injuries due to exposure to hazardous materials, and other severe injuries.
One such train accident was Amtrak Northeast Regional Train 188. In 2015, the train was carrying 238 passengers and five crew members bound for New York from Washington when it derailed in the Port Richmond area of Philadelphia. Eight people died from injuries sustained in the Amtrak train accident, and more than 200 were injured, many of them seriously.
However, train accidents or derailments cannot only cause physical injuries. People can also be injured when there is an accident that causes toxic chemical exposure. For example, in February 2023, a train carrying chemicals and combustible materials derailed in East Palestine, Ohio. The village, located about 50 miles northwest of Pittsburgh, is home to just under 5,000 residents. The train was on its way to Conway, PA, from Madison, IL, when 38 of its 150 cars derailed. Residents of both Ohio and Pennsylvania near the accident site had to be evacuated due to the possibility of exposure and a potential explosion.
Ross Feller Casey has won numerous seven- and eight-figure lawsuits involving serious transportation-related accidents, including Pennsylvania train accidents, and our lawyers have successfully litigated many cases against public transportation agencies.
Train accidents happen due to a variety of different factors. While not typically intentional, human error and negligence frequently contribute to train wrecks. Usually, there is something or someone at fault for a train crash. That’s why having an experienced, skilled attorney to help you and your family get the compensation you deserve in a train accident lawsuit is so important.
Some of the most common causes of Philadelphia train accidents include:
Train accidents causing severe injuries happen in several ways, including:
At Ross Feller Casey, our Philadelphia train accident lawyers represent catastrophically injured clients across Pennsylvania and New Jersey. We understand the challenges of recovering from serious train accidents. You likely have extensive physical pain, emotional distress, and financial obligations. While train accident claims cannot help you heal physically or emotionally, they can help with the financial burden of medical bills for your ongoing care. Let us help you make your family financially whole.
If you or a loved one has suffered serious injuries in an accident involving a train or other form of transportation, you should contact a Philadelphia train accident lawyer at Ross Feller Casey for a free consultation.
As with all of our cases, Ross Feller Casey operates on a contingency basis, meaning you will not pay anything until a financial recovery is made in your personal injury claim.