Houston Railroad Accident Lawyer
Railroad accidents are much more common in Houston than many people believe. With the METRORail and other passenger and commercial trains running through the city, there is always the potential for a crash or other type of accident.
Trains are typically considered to be much safer than other modes of transportation but when an accident does occur, they are usually much more serious. Trains travel at incredibly high speeds, and they are enormously large and heavy. When they are involved in an accident, it can easily result in catastrophic injuries and fatalities. If you have been injured, our Houston railroad accidents lawyer can help you obtain the financial compensation you and your family needs.
What Causes Railroad Accidents?
Railroad accidents are caused by a number of factors in Houston. The most common of these include:
- Negligence of railroad crew members, such as maintenance or inspection crews
- Owners and operators of the railroad
- Conductor negligence
- Mechanical failure
- Objects or debris on the railroad
- Violations of safety standards
- Loose flooring or structures on a train that cause a slip and fall accident
It is important to determine the cause of a crash, so you know who to hold liable for paying for your losses. Still, whatever the cause, a railroad accident will almost always cause serious injuries and in the most tragic of cases, wrongful death.
How Do People Become Hurt in Railroad Accidents?
When thinking about railroad accidents, it is natural to first think of a train crashing into an object, or even another train. These crashes do happen and when they do, they are severe. Trains operate at very high speeds and the people onboard typically have very little protection. Sadly, these are also not the only type of railroad accidents that happen in Houston.
People can also become involved in a railroad accident when they are boarding or disembarking from a train. Platforms between the train may have unreasonably large gaps, or other dangers may be present. Drivers and passengers of other vehicles, as well as pedestrians, can also become hurt at unprotected railroad crossings, or if the warning lights and alarms are not working properly. When a train derails or the cargo spills out into surrounding areas, innocent people become hurt.
The Duty of Common Carriers
In Houston, as throughout the rest of Texas, trains are considered common carriers. A common carrier is defined as an operator of a mode of transportation that charges the general public a fee for transporting them. Common carriers owe the highest duty of care to the passengers they carry, and they must ensure that all safety precautions are taken to keep them safe. When train owners and operators, and others that are responsible for the railroad, do not provide this high duty of care and people become hurt, they can be held liable for an accident.
Call Our Railroad Accidents Lawyer in Houston Today
At Gilde Law Firm, our Houston railroad accidents lawyers know the long-term physical, emotional, and financial burden these crashes cause. It is for this reason that we fight for the rights of accident victims and help them recover the full and fair compensation they deserve. Call us today at 800-973-3106 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation.
