At Cooper Schall & Levy, we understand the devastating impact train accidents can have on injured individuals and their families. Whether you’re dealing with personal injuries in the aftermath of a catastrophic collision or grappling with the loss of a loved one, our personal injury law practice, serving clients in the Philadelphia area and throughout surrounding counties of New Jersey, is here to support you. With a long history of successful outcomes in all types of personal injury cases, including those involving train accidents, our skilled attorneys are committed to fighting for your right to just compensation.
How Negligence Causes Train Accidents
Negligence is a leading cause of train accidents. A train accident typically occurs when one or more parties fails to act with the level of care that a reasonably prudent person would under similar circumstances. This negligence can stem from multiple sources:
- Operator error, such as being distracted, speeding, or ignoring signals
- Signal failures
- Defective equipment, such as brakes, coupling systems, or safety devices
- Engineer/conductor error or violations (e.g. impairment, drowsiness, fatigue)
- Poor Maintenance, e.g. improperly maintained tracks, trains, and related infrastructure
- Objects on the tracks/broken rails that may be caused by employee employee
- Inadequate inspection that failed to detect improper maintenance
Understanding the root cause of a train accident is crucial for establishing liability and pursuing compensation. Our experienced attorneys are adept at investigating train accidents to identify negligence and build strong cases on your behalf.
Causes of Subway Accidents (SEPTA and PATCO)
In local transit systems like SEPTA in Pennsylvania and PATCO in New Jersey, subway accidents can occur due to similar forms of negligence, such as:
- Overcrowding
- Poor maintenance of subway cars, platforms, and tracks
- Operator error or impairment
- Inadequate safety measures
Understanding the specific regulations and standards governing these local transit systems is essential for identifying negligence and pursuing claims. The train accident attorneys at Cooper Schall & Levy have the comprehensive knowledge of subway accidents to determine whether you have a viable personal injury case and, if so, to energetically pursue maximum damages for your losses.
Types of Serious Injuries Caused by Train Accidents
Train accidents can result in severe, life-altering injuries, including:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Fractured bones
- Amputations
- Burns and lacerations
- Neuromuscular injuries
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Wrongful death
The physical, emotional, and financial toll of a train accident can be overwhelming for victims and their families. Our attorneys will do all that we can to help you and your loved ones navigate the aftermath of your train accident by treating you with the compassion and respect you deserve. We will fight vigorously to bring you the resources you need to restart your life.
Services Cooper Schall & Levy Provide
At Cooper Schall & Levy, we offer a full spectrum of legal services to victims of train accidents. Our savvy legal professionals will:
- Thoroughly investigate your case: examining all medical records, police reports, and prior misconduct of involved parties, as well as interviewing witnesses
- Determine liability
- Calculate current and future financial impact, including medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering
- File claims against individuals or entities in a timely fashion
- Consult with medical and technical experts whose testimony will bolster your case
- Negotiate with insurance companies and opposing attorneys to secure a fair settlement
- Represent you in court if litigation is necessary to recover maximum compensation
Our attorneys are well-versed in Pennsylvania and New Jersey law and have a deep understanding of the complexities involved in train accident cases. We are committed to providing customized representation to each and every client.
Damages We Will Fight To Win
In train accident cases, victims may be entitled to receive both economic and non-economic compensatory damages.
Economic damages cover out-of-pocket expenses, like uncovered medical and rehabilitation costs, lost income (present and future), replacement services, and alterations to make your home handicapped accessible.
Non-economic damages, on the other hand, cover intangible losses, such as physical pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of consortium, and loss of enjoyment of life.
In cases of wrongful death, we will fight aggressively to bring you damages to cover final medical expenses, funeral, and burial/cremation costs, and funds to provide some measure of justice for lack of financial and emotional support.
If the train accident was caused by egregious negligent or reckless behavior, you may also be entitled to punitive damages, i.e. additional funds designed to both punish the defendant and deter others from engaging in similarly heinous conduct.
Contact Our Experienced Train Accident Attorneys Today
If your life has been turned upside-down by a train accident caused by negligence, the attorneys at Cooper Schall & Levy will give you the legal and moral support the situation demands. We are dedicated to fighting to bring you every dollar of compensation you need to restart your life and secure your future. As soon as you become our client, we will take over all legal and logistical tasks connected to the accident so that you and your loved ones can rest and recover with renewed peace of mind. Contact our office today.
