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Trains play an important role in Arkansas’s history, and their tracks are a crucial part of our state’s infrastructure. While railway accidents are rare, they can result in devastating injuries and fatalities. If you or someone you care about has suffered an injury in a train accident, an experienced personal injury attorney could help you seek compensation. Consult with a Little Rock train accident lawyer at Mays, Byrd & O’Guinn, PLLC today.
There is a mix of freight and passenger trains running through the state rail system, both of which contribute to our economy and mass transit. However, crashes happen in many ways, including derailments, wrecks involving vehicles, and collisions with other trains. Some primary causes of train accidents include:
Trains weigh thousands of tons, emphasizing the potential for significant damage in accidents. It is vital to speak to a knowledgeable Little Rock attorney when pursuing compensation for a railway accident.
Both state and federal authorities govern the train systems in Arkansas. The Federal Railroad Administration oversees the safety of railroads across the nation and sets the safety standards for equipment, operations, and track maintenance. They also implement speed limits for train operators to minimize the chances of dangerous derailments.
Additionally, there are federal laws in place that help regulate railroad track maintenance and identify track defects, including misaligned switches, worn ties, and damaged rails. While these guidelines are strict, their implementation is not always consistent, sometimes leading to train accidents.
The state also has its own laws that focus on train safety, mandating adequate maintenance and provision of clear warnings at railroad crossings. During an initial consultation, your Little Rock lawyer could explain how these laws may affect your railway crash case.
When seeking compensation for a train accident, it is first necessary to determine the at-fault party, which may include the train operator and their employing company. Freight trains are generally privately owned and tend to run on privately owned tracks. If a freight train injures you in an accident, you may need to file a personal injury claim with the insurance provider of the at-fault train company.
If the accident involves Amtrak, the national passenger rail service owned by the federal government, your claim may become more legally complex. In the case of state or locally operated public transportation trains, you must pursue compensation from the relevant government entity.
For claims involving government entities, further legislation and legal procedures apply. For example, you may have a much briefer time frame for filing, and there may be caps applied to your compensation. Our dedicated Little Rock attorney could assist you in navigating these railroad vehicle collision laws effectively when filing a claim.
If you or someone you love sustains injuries in a train accident, several important steps should be taken to help ensure your claim progresses effectively and efficiently. These include:
Remember that insurance companies may try to minimize your settlement, making it important to never accept an offer without legal advice from your train accident lawyer in Little Rock.
If you were injured in a train crash, our Little Rock train accident lawyer recognizes how important the outcome of your claim is to your recovery. At Mays, Byrd & O’Guinn, we are here to help. Do not wait to contact us and schedule your consultation.