Railroad Accident Lawyers in NYC

Common Causes of Railroad Accidents

Every year, thousands of people are injured and hundreds are killed in railroad accidents. When one or more parties’ negligence or intentional malfeasance is partially or fully to blame, victims can typically seek compensation for damages. Some of the most common causes of railroad accidents include:

• Equipment malfunctions
• Engineer errors
• Brake malfunctions
• Damage to rails

If you’ve suffered an injury, whether as a passenger or a passerby, filing a claim to recover damages can help you focus on healing and moving on with your life. Even if no one particular person is to blame, railroad companies have a duty to ensure that their equipment is safe.

Recoverable Damages from Railroad Accidents

Injuries that occur during railroad accidents don’t just cause physical harm. Victims may also experience psychological and financial harm. The state of New York places no cap on damages for railroad-involved personal injury claims, so we can help you get all of the compensation you deserve.

Economic Damages

Economic damages are expenses that have resulted from train accident injuries. They typically include both medical expenses and lost income. If an injury is temporarily or permanently disabling, economic losses are even more substantial. If any injury requires the use of one or more medical devices, associated costs are also considered economic damages.

Non-Economic Damages

Injuries often impact a victim’s quality of life in addition to their finances, which is why New York allows victims to recover non-economic damages in addition to those described above. Non-economic damages are classified as being non-actualized, meaning they can’t be ascribed a specific financial value.

You can recover non-economic damages any time a train accident precludes the ability to regain the standard of living you had prior to becoming injured. Common examples of non-economic damages include:

• Loss of enjoyment
• Loss of consortium
• Diminished earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Mental distress

Keep in mind that serious accidents often lead to chronic mental health conditions in addition to disabling physical issues. Conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and other mood or anxiety disorders resulting from the railroad crash can also lead to both economic and non-economic damages.

When to Hire a Railroad Accident Attorney

If you’ve been injured in a railroad accident, we can help you investigate causes, obtain evidence, and pursue damages, whether in the form of a settlement or in court.

The statute of limitations in New York is three years for railroad-related personal injuries and two years for wrongful death lawsuits, so don’t put off contacting a lawyer.