St Louis Railroad Accident Attorneys
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Railroad Accidents
There are approximately 500 trains and hundreds of thousands of miles of railroad track in the United States. Unfortunately, although there have been great technological advancements in other industries, the railroad industry remains much the same as it was just a hundred years ago, making its technology outdated and old, and thus susceptible to railroad accidents.
According to the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), there were a total of 1,277 railroad accidents in the U. S. in 2009, a decrease from 2008, when there were 1,731 railroad crashes in the country. In 2009, 461 people lost their lives in railroad collisions in the U.S., and the year before, in 2008, 536 people died in railroad accidents. On average, there is a railroad accident or train derailment about every 90 minutes in the U.S.
In Missouri, in 2009, there were 38 railroad accidents and 6 fatalities, which is a significant decrease from 2008, when there were 55 railroad crashes and 14 deaths
.There are many factors that can cause a St. Louis railroad accident. A train can have mechanical or electrical failure, maintenance problems, or human error on the part of the train operator regarding signal and communication errors can cause a St. Louis railroad crash. Old or improperly maintained railroad tracks or structural defects on the train can cause derailment or a train crash.
Train Accident Injuries
Due to the sheer size and weight of trains, injuries from St. Louis railroad accidents can be severe or even fatal, whether an accident victim is on the train, a pedestrian, or in a motor vehicle. Common train crash injuries include:
- Broken or fractured bones
- Lacerations
- Brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Paralysis
Railroad Accident Compensation
Compensation is available to those injured in St. Louis railroad crashes, whether they are a train passenger, pedestrian, motor vehicle occupant, or railroad employee. Those who work for a railroad company can seek compensation through Missouri workers' compensation benefits or through the Federal Employment Liability Act (FELA), which allows workers who don't have workers' comp benefits to sue the railroad company for any injuries they suffered in a railroad accident.
Damages for St. Louis railroad accident victims may include coverage for hospital bills, ongoing medical expenses if needed, loss of wages, pain and suffering, and more. If someone has died in a St. Louis railroad collision, in some cases, a wrongful death lawsuit may be filed. In those instances, damages may include coverage for funeral costs, loss of companionship, and more.
At Page Law, we understand the intricacies of a railroad crash case. We can help you in handling both FELA and workers' compensation railroad collision cases and will work hard to ensure that you and your family are given just compensation for any injuries that were sustained in a St. Louis railroad accident. Call us today at 314-322-8515 for a free consultation of your St. Louis railroad crash case.
St. Louis Personal Injury Resource Center
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