While there are many different causes of train accidents, some of the most common reasons that railroad accidents occur include:

• Train derailment
• Train conductor mistakes
• Collisions with other trains 
• Collisions with cars, trucks, busses or other vehicles
• Mechanical failures
• Track problems
• Suspended vehicles on the track
• Signal defects
• Defective railroad crossings
• Failure to properly maintain railroad tracks

According to the National Transportation Safety Bureau, a person or vehicle is hit by a train in the U.S nearly every two hours. While rare, when they happen they are destructive. This leads to nearly a thousand deaths each year due to train-related accidents.

The US Train and Railroad Accident Statistics estimated that a train derailment leads to chemical spills almost every two weeks. These spills can become serious enough, in some cases, to evacuate local residents. This has been occurring more and more frequently since 1997.

Train accident victims can pursue monetary compensation from a lawsuit for their injuries in the form of economic, non-economic and sometimes punitive damages.

Economic damages are intended to compensate the injured victim and their family for any monetary losses experienced, such as:

• Current Medical Expenses: Following a train crash, this includes fees for hospital care, emergency room visits, assistive equipment and appointments with approved medical professionals.
• Future Medical Expenses: The injuries sustained in a train accident or derailment are severe enough in some cases to require extended medical attention and care.
• Lost Wages: Extensive injuries resulting from a train accident may prevent the victim from returning to work temporarily or even permanently. The law allows recovery of compensation for the wages lost between the time of the injury and the conclusion of the lawsuit.
• Loss of Earning Capacity: If the victim’s ability to earn a living can be proven to have been negatively impacted by the train crash, compensation may be available. The amount that is awarded is determined by past wages as well as the amount of income the victim could have earned had the accident not occured.

Non-economic damages are intended to compensate the victim and their family for non-financial and intangible losses such as:

• Pain and Suffering: Calculation of this may include compensation for the physical pain suffered as a result of injuries sustained in the train accident, as well as the nature of the injury, the length of time the victim is expected to suffer, and the extent of the pain.
• Mental Anguish: Emotional pain suffered as a result of a train accident can be awarded in compensation for fright, anxiety, worry, grief and other forms of emotional distress.
• Loss of Consortium: A surviving spouse, parent or minor child may be awarded compensation for the loss of services, assistance, aid, companionship, love and affection of his or her loved one in the case of a wrongful death caused by a train accident.

Punitive damages may be awarded if the defendants actions were willful, malicious or intentional in causing the accident. This is intended to punish the offender and dissuade similar conduct in the future.

According to the Federal Railroad Administration’s Office of Safety Analysis, over 31,000 train accidents have occured in Florida over the last decade. Florida law entitles you to seek compensation for damages related to your losses when another party is at fault.

The skilled Florida train accident attorneys at Panter, Panter & Sampedro understand the devastation that comes along with a train accident. We can help you and your family recover what you deserve and we understand the complicated legal process involved. We are here to advocate for you by gathering relevant evidence to build a case against the defense so you can focus on your recovery.

If you or someone you love has been injured or killed as a result of a Florida train accident, the lawyers at Panter, Panter & Sampedro can help you navigate each stage of the legal process. The railroad company and other possible entities who may be responsible for your injuries are already backed by powerful attorneys who know how to fight these claims.

When you work with our firm, you can be assured that these extraordinarily complicated legal claims will be handled by those with experience in aggressively pursuing the best course of action for you and those you love.

In addition to being extremely tragic and devastating, train and railroad accidents may be very complex and difficult for victims. Your best option to recover well-deserved damages is to seek legal counsel from the experienced attorneys at Panter, Panter & Sampedro to help you in the midst of all the pain and suffering endured.

All of our cases are taken on a contingency basis; you will pay no attorney’s fees unless we are able to obtain a verdict or settlement on your behalf. Call Panter, Panter & Sampedro at 305-853-9296 today for a free consultation about your specific situation.