In the United States, approximately every two hours a pedestrian or motor vehicle is struck by a train.   In 2007, there were more than 13,000 railroad related accidents according to the Federal Railroad Administration Office of Safety Analysis.  Of these railroad related accidents, 851 were fatalities and 8,801 were non-fatal.  Of the deaths, 338 occurred at highway railroad crossings and 473 were from trespassing on railroad property and rights-of-way.  In 2007, 1,031 of the related injuries occurred at highway railroad crossings and 398 injuries occurred due to trespassing issues. 

    Recent years have shown an increase in the number of railroad accidents in the news and are frequently most reported when there is equipment failure, collisions with other trains, derailments, or collisions with pedestrians and/or other vehicles.  If the result from the crash is not fatal, more likely than not, the injuries are catastrophic in nature including traumatic brain injuries and disfiguring injuries.  The property damages are frequently very high as well due to the sheer size of trains.  Whether the cause of the railroad related accident if equipment related, there are many types of personal injury cases an individual may have if they are the victim of such accident.

Have you or a loved one been a victim of a railroad related accident?

    If so, contacting an attorney with special skills and knowledge in the area of freight violations is important.  As well, contacting the appropriate attorney as soon after the accident is essential to preserve many crucial facts of the investigation.  The attorneys at the Cagle Law Firm have been practicing in the area of railroad related accidents for many years and are very knowledgeable about what kind of claim you may have and what kind of compensation you can qualify to receive.

On-the-Job Railroad Accident Injuries?

    The Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA) allows railroad employees who are injured on the job to file a lawsuit to recover damages from his/her employeer when negligence occurred on the part of the employeer or another employee.  This act is not to be confused with Workers' Compensation.  Under conditions of FELA, the injured employee may recover punitive damages that they would not be entitled to under Workers' Compensation, however, FELA is a complicated statute. Therefore, it is highly recommended that an injured employee or family of a killed employee to consult a FELA attorney in order to protect the victims rights. 
  
    At the Cagle Law Firm, an experienced St. Louis Accident Attorney can review your claim and help you file a lawsuit against the person responsible for your accident or injury or to help you to determine if you have a wrongful death claim or a claim for personal injury damages contact the Cagle Law firm today.
    To schedule a consultation to discuss your claim, please contact the firm today at (800) 716-2621