South Carolina Railroad Accident Attorneys

Railroads may have been replaced by newer technologies, but they still crisscross our great nation, bringing goods and people over long distances. Indeed, use of trains to deliver goods has increased since the golden age of the railroads. And because railways cross major roads and cut through populated areas, railway safety issues continue to affect all of us. The Federal Railroad Administration, which tracks data for interstate railways but not local public transit, reports that there were more than 13,000 railway accidents in 2006; accidents involving railway crossings on highways or trespassing on railroad tracks accounted for 22% of those accidents -- and 96% of all railway accident fatalities. In South Carolina, all of the 21 railway deaths that took place in 2006 were deaths at highway crossings or deaths of trespassers.

If you or someone you care about was hurt or killed in a railroad crossing accident, contact the Louthian Law Firm today at 1-866-410-5656 for a free evaluation of your case.

While drivers and pedestrians have a legal duty to stay out of the path of an approaching train, railroads contribute to some collisions with inadequate warning about approaching trains; poor maintenance of existing warnings; poor maintenance of their trains, tracks and other equipment; and overloading cargo. Railway accidents can also be caused by mechanical failures due to defective parts or bad decisions by those in charge of the trains. Some of our nation's older tracks may not be able to handle the speed and design of modern trains. While the most common type of train accident is an accident at a place where the tracks meet a street, trains may also derail, collide with one another or spill their cargo, some of which is hazardous. Railway accidents often take place at high speeds, exposing victims to the risk of a serious injury from being thrown violently around or out of the train; jagged, broken glass and metal; thousands of pounds of force; or sudden cargo spills.

Railroad employees who are injured on the job are covered by the Federal Employees Liability Act, a substitute for workers' compensation that requires an injured railway employee to prove that his or her employer was negligent before recovering money. Others who are injured by a train accident have all the same rights under South Carolina personal injury law that other injured private citizens have. In both cases, you may be able to collect compensation for medical bills, living expenses, pain and suffering, mental anguish and other costs caused by the train accident.

If you or someone you care about was injured in a railroad accident, you should speak with the Louthian Law Firm immediately. We have represented injured South Carolinians since 1959; we are committed to providing a personal touch outside of court and aggressive, case-winning representation inside. And because we know our injured clients often have limited resources, we always offer free consultations with no further obligation on your part. To speak confidentially with the Louthian Law Firm about your case today, call us at 1-866-410-5656.

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South Carolina Railroad Accident Lawyer Disclaimer: The train accident, railroad injury, railroad accident or other legal personal injury information presented at this site should not be construed to be formal legal advice, nor the formation of a lawyer or attorney client relationship. Further communication with our attorneys through the website and email may not be considered as confidential or privileged. Any results set forth herein are based upon the facts of that particular case and do not represent a promise or guarantee. Please contact a Columbia South Carolina personal injury lawyer at the Louthian Law Firm, P.A. for a consultation on your particular personal injury matter. This web site is not intended to solicit clients for matters outside of the state of South Carolina.