Des Moines Train Accident Lawyers
Legal Representation Against Negligent Railroad Companies and Other Liable Parties
If you or someone you love has been injured in the greater Des Moines area or anywhere else in Iowa by a train accident or rail collision, a Des Moines railroad accident attorney from LaMarca Law Group, P.C. can help. Train passengers, pedestrians, and motorists must trust that trains and rail equipment are kept in good working order, that rail employees are properly trained and certified to do their jobs, and that the safety and well-being of the public is a priority to rail companies and their employees.
In the event of an injury or death, you may be eligible to file a claim against the rail company for compensation. Our team of Des Moines train accident attorneys, proudly serving Des Moines and Polk County, understands the severity of a train accident, and a lawyer from our firm can provide you with thorough representation if you or someone you love has suffered an injury in a rail accident.
To schedule a free consultation, contact us today at (515) 705-0233.
Train Accident Lawsuits
Being involved in a train accident can result in catastrophic injuries, including broken bones, burns, traumatic brain injuries, and spinal cord injuries. If you or someone you love has suffered severe injuries or death as the result of a train accident, you have legal rights. Rail employees have a professional and legal obligation to perform their duties to an accepted standard of care. If an employee fails to perform their duties to this standard and causes an injury as a result, they can be held liable for negligence.
Depending on the circumstances surrounding your case, you may be eligible to obtain compensation for medical and rehabilitation costs incurred as a result of your injury, loss of wages from a work absence (including future wages), and emotional and physical pain and suffering. If a loved one has been killed in a train accident, a Des Moines train accident lawyer at LaMarca Law Group, P.C. can help your family file a wrongful death claim against the liable parties to hold them accountable for their actions and to ensure that your family is justly compensated for its loss.
Common Causes of Train Accidents
The following are some common causes of train accidents:
- Improper maintenance or a lack of maintenance
- Operator fatigue (the Federal Rail Administration limits shifts to 12 hours)
- Alcohol and drug abuse
- Rail employees lack proper training and certification
- Inoperable warning lights or a lack of rail crossing signage
- Negligent conduct by a rail employee
If you or someone you love has been involved in a train accident or rail collision as a result of any of these factors, you may be eligible to file an injury lawsuit to seek compensation for your medical expenses, pain and suffering, and other damages.
Contact LaMarca Law Group, P.C.
For the best chance of obtaining just and fair financial compensation for your losses, we highly recommend you seek the services of an experienced and qualified attorney. At LaMarca Law Group, P.C., railroad collision and train accident victims can consult with an experienced Des Moines railroad accident attorney to determine whether they have a case.
If we believe that you have a claim, we will advise you of your options and recommend a course of action. If you are seeking legal counsel in Des Moines because of a train accident, contacta lawyer from LaMarca Law Group, P.C. today at (515) 705-0233.
Frequently Asked Questions
When it comes to train accidents, which are fairly uncommon compared to other types of transportation accidents, it can be difficult to find answers to all of your questions. We never want to leave you without answers to your questions, so we’ve taken a few common questions we receive and we’ve answered them here.
If you don’t see your question below, or you find that the answer is insufficient, please contact us at (515) 705-0233.
How much money can I receive in compensation?
There is no one-size-fits-all rule when it comes to the damages you can seek for your injuries in a train accident. We have to start at the highest level: Are you seeking compensation for your own injuries, or on behalf of a family member who died in the accident? In both situations, you’ll need to cover the cost of hospital bills and lost wages (although the death of a primary provider may change this amount significantly), but should you be seeking the additional future hospital bills, therapy, and pain and suffering? Or would it be better for you to seek compensation for funeral expenses and loss of companionship? Determining what you lost in the accident is the first step in answering the question of how much you should receive, and an attorney can help you with that process.
How is fault determined in a train accident?
There are many factors that go into determining who may be responsible for a train accident. If the train company failed to properly hire, train, and ensure that safety protocols were followed, then they may be liable for injuries to you or your loved ones. In addition, if the company failed to properly maintain the train, the tracks, or other structures, and an accident occurs, they may be liable. If the reckless or negligent actions of an employee caused an accident, the employee and the company might be accountable for injuries or deaths to passengers, and those outside of the train. There are countless possible causes of an accident, so it is essential to contact an attorney to discuss who may be liable for the accident.
How do I seek compensation after a train accident?
Train accidents may affect a single person, in the case of a fall underneath station tracks or collision with a vehicle, or they may affect an entire community, like widespread chemical spills after an accident. Victims may include passengers and employees, bystanders and pedestrians, and drivers and passengers of other vehicles. Regardless of the nature of the accident, only an experienced train accident attorney can help you seek compensation. The first step is to call a legal team that has experience handling these specific cases, like the team at LaMarca Law Group, P.C.
