If you’ve been involved in a railroad accident, whether as a passenger, railroad worker, or pedestrian, you may need an aggressive representation from a railroad accident attorney to secure fair compensation. Railroad accidents can be complex cases involving multiple parties, including railroad companies, equipment manufacturers, and government entities. An experienced and aggressive lawyer will fight to hold these parties accountable and help you get the compensation you deserve for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.
Here’s how an aggressive railroad accident attorney can help and why you might need one to pursue your case effectively.
Why You Need Aggressive Representation
1. Railroad Companies Have Powerful Legal Teams
Corporate Defenses: Railroad companies have substantial resources, including in-house legal teams and high-powered insurance companies, that will attempt to minimize their liability and offer settlements lower than what you deserve.
Delay Tactics: Insurance companies and large corporations often use tactics to delay settlements or avoid responsibility. An aggressive attorney will not back down in the face of these tactics and will push for a fair resolution, even if it means going to trial.
2. Railroad Accidents Are Complex
Multiple Parties Involved: Railroad accidents can involve several parties, including the railroad company, contractors, equipment manufacturers, and government entities. An aggressive lawyer will have the experience and resources to investigate all parties’ involvement and hold them accountable.
Federal and State Laws: Railroad accidents often involve a mix of federal and state regulations. For railroad workers, cases are typically handled under FELA (Federal Employers Liability Act), which allows workers to sue their employers for negligence. These cases can be more complicated than traditional personal injury cases, requiring a lawyer who understands the intricacies of FELA.
3. You Deserve Maximum Compensation
Injuries: Train accidents can cause severe injuries, such as traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, broken bones, burns, and amputations. The compensation should cover both current medical bills and long-term costs of care, rehabilitation, and lost future earnings.
Wrongful Death: If a loved one has died in a train accident, you deserve aggressive representation to pursue wrongful death compensation, including funeral costs, loss of financial support, and emotional distress.
Pain and Suffering: Many accident victims suffer not only physical pain but also emotional and mental distress. An aggressive lawyer will fight to ensure that pain and suffering are accounted for in your settlement or court award.
4. Ensuring Accountability
Preventing Future Accidents: Holding railroad companies and other responsible parties accountable for their negligence is critical not only for getting fair compensation but also for ensuring that similar accidents don’t happen to others.
Investigation and Evidence Gathering: An aggressive lawyer will initiate a thorough investigation to gather evidence, including accident reports, maintenance records, eyewitness testimony, and expert analysis to prove fault. They will also challenge any attempt to downplay or distort the facts.
How an Aggressive Railroad Accident Attorney Will Fight for You
1. Thorough Investigation of the Accident
Understanding the Root Cause: The attorney will dive deep into the cause of the accident, whether it was due to defective equipment, poor maintenance, human error, or negligence in safety protocols.
Expert Witnesses: To build a compelling case, an aggressive lawyer will work with experts in engineering, railroad safety, and medical fields to assess the impact of the injury and help establish fault.
2. Negotiating with Insurance Companies
Challenging Lowball Offers: Railroad companies and their insurers may attempt to settle for a lower amount than you deserve. A strong, aggressive attorney will challenge any insufficient offers and ensure that your compensation reflects the full scope of your damages.
Litigation Readiness: If a fair settlement cannot be reached, an aggressive attorney will be ready to take the case to court. They won’t hesitate to advocate on your behalf in front of a judge and jury to secure the maximum compensation.
3. Handling FELA Claims for Railroad Workers
Proving Employer Negligence: If you are a railroad worker, an experienced lawyer specializing in FELA claims will fight to prove that your employer’s negligence contributed to your injuries. Unlike standard workers’ compensation, FELA allows workers to sue their employer for pain and suffering and other damages.
Challenging Employer Defenses: Railroad employers will often fight FELA claims vigorously, attempting to argue that the worker was at fault or that they were following safety protocols. An aggressive FELA lawyer will push back on these arguments and ensure you receive fair compensation.
4. Holding All Responsible Parties Accountable
Third-Party Liabilities: Besides the railroad company, third parties such as contractors, manufacturers of defective equipment, or government entities responsible for infrastructure may also be liable. An aggressive lawyer will investigate all potential sources of liability and ensure all responsible parties are held accountable.
Top Law Firms with Aggressive Representation for Railroad Accident Cases
1. Romanucci & Blandin, LLC
Location: Chicago, IL
Overview: Romanucci & Blandin is known for their aggressive approach in securing compensation for railroad accident victims. They have extensive experience handling FELA claims, wrongful death, and catastrophic injury cases involving railroad accidents.
Specialty: FELA claims, train crashes, passenger injuries, wrongful death, catastrophic injuries.
Website: rblaw.net
2. Schlichter Bogard LLC
Location: St. Louis, MO
Overview: Schlichter Bogard is known for its aggressive litigation in railroad accident cases. They have secured significant settlements and verdicts for FELA claims and personal injury lawsuits related to train crashes.
Specialty: FELA claims, catastrophic injuries, railroad accident liability, wrongful death.
Website: uselaws.com
3. Martin & Jones, PLLC
Location: Raleigh, NC
Overview: Martin & Jones is an experienced personal injury law firm that fights aggressively for railroad workers and passengers involved in train accidents. They focus on FELA claims and wrongful death cases.
Specialty: FELA claims, train crash injuries, wrongful death, catastrophic injuries.
Website: martinandjones.com
4. Brain Injury Law Center
Location: Nationwide
Overview: The Brain Injury Law Center specializes in catastrophic injury cases, including traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries caused by railroad accidents. They fight aggressively to ensure clients receive fair compensation.
Specialty: Brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, catastrophic injuries, railroad accidents.
Website: brain-injury-law-center.com
5. Hoey & Farina, P.C.
Location: Nationwide
Overview: Hoey & Farina specializes in FELA claims and aggressive litigation for railroad accident victims. They handle cases for both injured railroad workers and passengers.
Specialty: FELA claims, train derailments, passenger injuries, wrongful death.
Website: hoeyfarina.com
Steps to Take After a Railroad Accident
Seek Medical Care: Always get medical attention right after an accident to ensure your injuries are properly documented.
Report the Accident: Make sure the accident is reported to your employer (for railroad workers) or to the authorities (for passengers and pedestrians).
Document the Scene: Take pictures and videos of the accident scene, damages, and injuries. Collect witness contact information.
Consult an Aggressive Railroad Accident Attorney: Contact a lawyer as soon as possible to begin building your case. They will handle the investigation and protect your legal rights.
File Your Claim: Your attorney will file a claim, whether it’s a FELA claim, personal injury claim, or wrongful death claim, and begin pursuing compensation.
Follow Legal Advice: Stay in touch with your lawyer and follow their advice to ensure the best possible outcome.
Conclusion
If you’ve been involved in a railroad accident, you need an aggressive attorney to fight for your rights and ensure you get fair compensation. The law firms listed above specialize in handling railroad accident cases and will provide the dedicated and vigorous representation you need to navigate this complex legal area. Whether you are a railroad worker pursuing a FELA claim, a passenger seeking compensation for injury, or filing a wrongful death claim, these attorneys will work tirelessly to secure the best possible outcome for you.