Trains provide a vital service to the American economy. They move large quantities of freight great distances and they do reliably. Many Americans retain a tremendous passion for trains.
However, our personal injury lawyers have seen the other side of trains – the dangerous side. When not properly and safely operated, a train can represent a serious threat to innocent drivers.
Obviously, train accidents are devastating incidents. The best case scenario for being caught in a train accident is a catastrophic personal injury. The worst case, and this is tragically common, is an avoidable loss of life.
If you need an experienced train accident lawyer in Los Angeles County or any other southern California community, please call Kirtland & Packard, LLP today at (310) 536-1000 for a free consultation.
Why Train Accident Claims Are Complex
Train accident claims are among the most legally demanding personal injury cases. Several factors make them fundamentally different from standard vehicle collisions:
- Multiple liable parties: Responsibility can extend across train operators, railroad companies, maintenance contractors, track owners, and government transit agencies simultaneously.
- Federal jurisdiction: Railroads operating in interstate commerce are subject to Federal Railroad Administration regulations, adding complexity beyond state personal injury law.
- Government entity deadlines: Accidents involving Metrolink, Amtrak, or LA Metro require tort claims to be filed within 6 months under California Government Code section 911.2.
- Aggressive institutional defense: Railroad companies and transit agencies have dedicated legal teams who begin building their defense immediately after an incident.
- Evidence preservation: Train data recorders, signal logs, maintenance records, and surveillance footage must be secured before they are overwritten or destroyed.
A train accident lawyer in Redondo Beach from Kirtland & Packard understands these complexities and moves immediately to protect your claim.
How Train Accidents Happen
Railway companies invariably blame drivers and civilians for accidents. You’ll often hear sarcastic comments about the ease of avoiding collisions with trains- after all, trains follow a set route, tracks are blocked off by flashing lights and barricades and so on.
As you might expect, the reality is quite different. This reductive and insulting approach quite intentionally obscures the truth of train accidents, which is that they were often avoidable if the railway company had done just a few simple things differently.
Causes of train accidents often include:
- Insufficient lighting or barricades noting a railway crossing
- Reckless operation of a train
- Failure to sound a train’s horns or use its lights
- Crossings obscured by the environment
- Items protruding from a train
As you can see, there’s a lot that can go wrong and cause a train accident. And none of those issues are the fault of the victims.
Our train accident lawyers understand this. We know how incredibly complicated these accidents can be, and we’re not intimidated by that complexity. Instead, we will work with you to pursue the compensation you deserve from the responsible parties.
If you were hurt in a train accident in or near Redondo Beach, Torrance, or South Bay and need an experienced lawyer, please call Kirtland & Packard, LLP today at (310) 536-1000 for a free consultation.
Contact Our Redondo Beach Train Accident Lawyers
If you or someone you love was injured in a collision involving a commuter rail, freight train, or light rail vehicle in the South Bay or greater Los Angeles, our team is ready to help.
As a law firm in Redondo Beach representing seriously injured clients since the 1930s, we handle every train accident case on contingency. You pay nothing unless we win, and we offer free consultations for all our clients with a flexible schedule.
A train accident attorney in South Bay from our team is available 24/7 at (310) 536-1000. Se habla español.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can be held liable in a train or railroad accident?
Liable parties may include the train operator, railroad company, transit agency, track owner, signal system manufacturer, or a negligent driver at a grade crossing. Government transit agencies require tort claims to be filed within 6 months. A bus accident lawyer in Redondo Beach or a train accident attorney from our team identifies every responsible party from the outset.
What is my train accident case worth?
Value depends on injury severity, future medical needs, lost earning capacity, and available insurance or government coverage. Train accidents frequently cause catastrophic injuries, carrying significantly more serious damages than standard vehicle collisions. We calculate the full scope of losses before any offer is considered.
How much does a train accident lawyer cost?
Nothing upfront. Every case is handled on contingency. You pay no attorney fees unless we recover compensation. No hourly charges, no out-of-pocket litigation costs during your case.
Do you offer free train accident consultations in Redondo Beach?
Yes. Free consultations with no obligation. A South Bay bike accident lawyer or train accident attorney from our team is available 24/7 at (310) 536-1000. Se habla español.