A train accidentTrain accidents, while rarer than most accidents, do occur, can affect large numbers of people, and can be very traumatic. If you were in a train accident and got injured, or if you were injured due to defects on the platform or train doors improperly closing, you should be compensated for your pain and suffering. At Segal, Berk, Gaines & Liss, you can speak directly with an experienced train accident attorney in the Philadelphia area to determine if you have a legal case after your accident.

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Why Choose Segal, Berk, Gaines & Liss?

At Segal, Berk, Gaines & Liss, we put you in contact with a train injury attorney directly and quickly. With over 50 years of experience, we are trusted to successfully represent our clients as we fight for the compensation that should be paid to you. We give you personalized attention and will thoroughly investigate the evidence in your case to ensure the best possible outcome while you focus on your recovery.

What to Do After Your Injury

  1. Avoid Panicking: Your first thought should be for your safety, so if you can move, get as far away from the wreckage as you can.
  2. Seek Medical Attention: Call 911 or the relevant authorities, even if you don’t think you’ve been hurt badly.
  3. If You’re Able To, Gather Evidence: Collect photographs, video footage, and witness statements if you can. Document everything. Even the smallest details could strengthen your case. However, don’t worry that you can’t pursue a claim just because you’re too injured to gather evidence.
  4. Contact Us: Our experienced train accident attorneys serving the Philadelphia area and its surroundings can determine if you have a legal case.
  5. Don’t Try to Resolve Your Case Yourself: Don’t sign anything without consulting your train injury attorney first. Insurance companies may try to get you to sign your rights away before you’ve had proper legal counsel.
  6. Recover from Your Injuries: After you’ve consulted experienced personal injury attorneys, you can have peace of mind knowing they’re getting to work while you concentrate on healing.

Common Causes of Train Accidents

Unfortunately, train accidents do occur. Whether from the operations side or nature (like snow or gravel on the tracks), a train wreck is unimaginably horrific. The devastation and disaster affect everyone on board and can leave you with serious injuries. If you’ve been affected by a train accident in Philadelphia, the Delaware Valley, or the surrounding area, our train accident attorneys are here to assist you with your case.

In Philadelphia County, there were 32 train accidents in 2024. Between 2018 and 2022, there were 358 reported train accidents in Pennsylvania.

Common causes of train accidents include:

Human error Mechanical failure
Track defects Signal errors
Excessive speed Railroad negligence
Crossing accidents Stalled cars
Equipment failure Distracted pedestrians

Determining Liability

Train off the rails on its side.

It can be difficult to determine liability in a railway accident. Federal agencies will investigate the train accident. From this, we should have an idea of what went wrong. However, the fault could lie with the railroad company, maintenance issues, the train operator, or manufacturers if parts were faulty.

When you consult trusted train injury attorneys at Segal, Berk, Gaines & Liss, you’ll speak to lawyers with decades of experience in personal injury cases in the Delaware Valley. Call today for a free consultation and find out if you have a case.

 

What to Expect from the Legal Process

  1. Free Consultation – Our Philadelphia train accident attorneys will review your case at no cost to you.
  2. Investigation – As your train crash attorneys, we’ll thoroughly review all the evidence in your case, including accident reports and police records. They will also analyze maintenance logs, interview witnesses, and compile evidence to strengthen your case.
  3. Medical and Professional Documentation – We’ll contact the relevant medical professionals and authorities to prove your injuries and damages.
  4. Negotiation – We fight to get you maximum compensation.
  5. Settlement or Trial – If a settlement is not reached during the negotiations, our train injury attorneys prepare for trial.
  6. You Don’t Pay Us If You Don’t Get Compensation – If your case isn’t settled or you don’t win in court, you don’t pay.

Contact Our Philadelphia Train Accident Attorneys Today

If you or a loved one has been involved in a train accident, reach out to us and let us review your case to see if you have a legal claim. Schedule a free consultation, and our train accident attorneys can take care of the legalities. If you’re too injured to travel, we can meet over Zoom or even travel to you. We’ll fight for what’s fair because we only get paid when you do.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can be held responsible for a train accident?

The answer depends on what caused the accident. If the railroad company fails to fix or maintain the tracks and equipment as they should, then they can be held liable. Alternatively, it could be a result of the train operator’s negligence. Other times, a third party is responsible. For instance, if a contractor did a bad job repairing the train or tracks, or a reckless driver collided with a train, they can be held responsible. Your Philadelphia train injury attorney will conduct an investigation to determine the parties at fault.

Do personal injury attorneys handle train accident cases?

Yes, we do. If you need a train accident attorney in Philadelphia, you can speak to one of our attorneys at Segal, Berk, Gaines & Liss. For the last five decades, we’ve been representing clients in Philadelphia and the Delaware Valley area, and train accidents are part of the personal injury work we handle. These cases involve dealing with railroad companies, transit authorities, and their insurance teams, so you need someone with decades of experience in these types of cases.

What should I do after a train accident?

Contact a train accident attorney while the evidence is still fresh. As you recover from the crash, record the scene on your phone if you’re able to, capturing as much detail as you can, and try to collect witness contact details. If you’re not in a position to do so, our lawyers will do that for you.

What if the train accident happened at a railroad crossing?

Two of the most common causes of railroad crossing accidents are drivers trying to beat the train or when the warning systems are not working as they should. The train company can be held responsible by the car driver or train passengers if the warning systems failed or if the crossing wasn’t maintained properly. A train accident attorney looks into all the evidence, from maintenance logs to the signal operations logs, to see if the train company can be held at fault for negligent conditions.

Should I accept a settlement offer from the railroad company?

Never accept anything without talking to an attorney first. In fact, don’t talk to anyone before consulting with your lawyer, since the other team’s lawyers can turn your harmless statements into damaging testimony. Additionally, railroad companies and their insurers may approach you with a sense of urgency, often with a lowball offer that makes it look like they care. Wait until your train injury attorney has assessed and negotiated a fair compensation that covers all the medical bills, lost wages, pain, and other damages.

Can I file a claim if I was a passenger on the train?

Yes, you can. When you board a train, you have the right to expect a safe journey to your destination. Therefore, if the railroad or transit authority was negligent and there was an incident that compromised your safety, you might have grounds for a claim. Talk to an experienced Philadelphia train accident attorney – they’ll help determine if you have a valid case and what compensation you might be eligible to receive.