Seattle Train Accident Lawyer

Seattle and the State of Washington have long been known for their environmentally-friendly views and policies. It is no wonder, then, that more cost-effective and environmentally-sound modes of transportation such as local and interstate trains can be found in this corner of the United States. Trains offer a variety of benefits, including:

Riders do not have to contend with vehicular traffic;
The emissions of a train are lower than most vehicles while the fuel efficiency is usually much greater;
It can be more cost-effective for a budget-conscious individual to ride the train to his or her destination than to take a personal vehicle.

Not only this, but riders are much less likely to be involved in an injury crash than if they had taken to the roadways in their personal vehicles. Nonetheless, train derailments in Pennsylvania, southwest Kansas, and New Jersey (just to name a few) reinforce the conclusion that riding a train does not insulate a person from suffering serious or catastrophic injuries. In some cases, train crash-related injuries may be fatal.

Train accidents are more complicated than the typical slip and fall accident or traffic crash because in most every case at least one (if not multiple) government agencies will want to investigate the crash and determine the cause(s) of the train accident. It can be difficult locating the individuals and agencies with the knowledge and records necessary to show who was at fault in causing the crash. For this reason, victims injured in a Seattle train crash would do well to retain the services of an experienced train crash law firm like the Khan Injury Law, PLLC.

What Causes and Contributes to a Train Accident?

Although train accidents may occur suddenly and appear to happen “out of the blue,” in reality train accidents are usually the cause of careless behavior of one or more individuals. This can include, for example:

The train’s conductor or operator being distracted, drowsy, and/or under the influence of alcohol or drugs;
A train’s conductor speeding or disregarding policies and regulations related to the safe operation of the train;
Companies and/or agencies failing to properly maintain the train, its component parties and equipment, and/or stretches of tracks for which they are responsible; and/or
A vehicle driver leaving his or her vehicle parked on train tracks.

In the aftermath of a train derailment or other train accident, agents with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and/or other state or federal agencies may investigate the cause or causes of the crash. This investigation may take weeks or months, meaning that (in all likelihood) injury victims will need to wait until the investigation’s conclusion before they will know what individuals and/or companies or agencies are likely to have played a role in bringing the accident about.

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What Should I do after a Train Accident?

If you find yourself injured in a train derailment or other train accident, you may feel helpless and as if there is not much you can do. Even though you may not have played a role in causing the accident, there are still steps you can and should take to protect your health and your legal rights:

Obtain prompt medical care: Your first priority should be getting away from the scene of the crash to a safe location and obtaining medical care for your wounds. If a representative of the train company is present to give instructions, follow those instructions insofar as they do not cause you additional injury and do not place you at risk. If you are pinned or cannot move after the crash, take what measures you can to alert rescuers and others of your location. Unless you are certain you did not suffer any serious injuries (internal or external) in the accident, request to be taken to a hospital for evaluation and treatment as soon as possible.
Write down your account of the crash: As soon as you can and before your memory begins to fade, write down in detail everything you remember about the crash – what happened before the crash, what happened immediately after the crash, and all that has happened since the crash. Try to remember, for example, who you were sitting near at the time of the crash, anything that a rail employee or rescuer said to you after the crash, where you received medical treatment and the name of your doctor, and other such details. You may need to share your story with investigators; even if you are not asked to share your story and observations with investigators, however, the information you write down may be crucial to helping your attorney efficiently evaluate your train accident lawsuit.
Do not accept a settlement without first speaking with your attorney. If the rail company or some other entity believes that they or their employee is responsible for your injuries, they may offer you a settlement to resolve your claim against the company. While settlements do resolve your case quickly and can get cash in your hand sooner than progressing to trial, a settlement may require you to waive important legal rights and/or accept a settlement amount that is far below what you actually need in compensation. Having an experienced train crash law firm like the Khan Injury Law, PLLC review the proposed settlement agreement with you before you sign the agreement can prevent you from accepting terms that are highly unfavorable to you.

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When to Contact the Khan Injury Law, PLLC

You have three years following a train accident to file a lawsuit seeking compensation for your injuries. Before this three-year period expires, you and/or your attorney must determine the cause or causes of your crash, determine the extent of your injuries, and file your lawsuit in the appropriate court. Trust the experienced and efficient Seattle train accident recovery team of the Khan Injury Law, PLLC to help you meet this deadline and to recover compensation for your train accident-related injuries. Call our firm at 206-203-3978, or contact us online, to learn how we may be able to assist you in your quest for compensation.