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206-430-6096Tacoma, WA Train Accident Lawyer
Washington Train Accident Attorneys Representing Clients in Tacoma
Nobody expects to be involved in a train accident, whether it is a derailment on an Amtrak passenger train or an accident on a Sounder train while commuting between Seattle and Tacoma. From Sounder trains to Tacoma Link trains, more and more Tacoma residents are turning to train travel for short-term needs. Yet as light rail ridership increases in the Seattle-Tacoma region and more Tacoma residents use rail transportation to get to work, it is more likely that accidents will happen and people will get hurt. There are many different ways that train accidents can happen. In some cases, a train conductor or operator makes a serious error, and a train derails. In other cases, a train might collide with a vehicle or a pedestrian in an area where tracks have not been clearly marked.
If you were injured in a Tacoma train accident, or if you recently lost a loved one in a train accident, it is important to learn more about your options for financial compensation. An aggressive Tacoma, WA train accident lawyer can speak with you today about your case and your options for filing a claim.
Getting the Facts About Train Accidents in Tacoma, WA
Railroad and train accidents are more common than you might suspect. The following are facts and figures from the National Safety Council (NSC):
- Train accident and railroad deaths increased by 2 percent between 2017 and 2018, with a total of 841 railroad-related deaths in 2018;
- 2018 had the highest number of railroad deaths reported since 2007;
More than half of all train accident deaths involve trespassers onto railroad tracks being struck by oncoming trains; - About 2 percent of railroad deaths involve railroad employees;
- Less than 1 percent of reported train accident deaths in 2018 involved passengers onboard a train;
- Aside from trespassers, occupants of other motor vehicles struck by trains in collisions account for a larger percentage of fatalities; and
- Total of 8,136 railroad accident injuries were reported in 2018, and about 10 percent of those injuries happened in accidents at railroad crossings.
If you have additional questions about Tacoma train accidents, a Washington State personal injury lawyer at our firm can help.
Different Types of Trains in and Around Tacoma, Washington
If you live in Tacoma, Washington, it is important to understand where a train accident might occur. There are a variety of rail systems used by Tacoma residents, such as:
- Amtrak passenger rail: The Amtrak Cascades, Coast Starlight, and Empire Builder are all trains that run through the Pacific Northwest, and on which a Tacoma resident could be injured in an accident.
- Sounder train: The Sounder commuter rail system allows people to move easily between Seattle and Tacoma, and spots in between. According to a news release from Sound Transit, commuter train ridership has grown significantly. In 2018, Sounder ridership increased by more than 4 percent.
- Link light rail: The Tacoma Link and the Central Link are commonly used by Tacoma residents who work in Seattle and vice versa. They are also used by visitors to the area who are looking for transit from the airport. According to the Sound Transit news release, light rail ridership rose by more than 6 percent in 2018.
- Seattle Center Monorail: While you may not spend too much time on the monorail if you live in Tacoma, you could use this train system while you are in Seattle for work or pleasure.
Accidents can happen on any of these transit systems. If you or a loved one got hurt while riding a train or as a result of a motor vehicle collision with a train, it is important to discuss your options for seeking compensation with a Tacoma train accident attorney.
Common Reasons for a Tacoma Train Accident
Tacoma train accidents can happen for a wide variety of reasons, including but not limited to:
- Train operator or conductor error, including speeding;
- Motor vehicle driver error;
- Trespasser on the train tracks;
- Train passenger negligence;
- Mechanical problems;
- Defective train warning system;
- Rail crossing that are improperly marked;
- Defective trains or train parts;
- Defective automobile or auto parts; and
- Damaged train tracks.
Statute of Limitations in a Tacoma Train Accident Case
If you are involved in a train accident in or around Tacoma, how much time do you have to file a lawsuit? For most personal injury cases, the statute of limitations is three years. This time window includes most train accident claims.
What does a three-year statute of limitations entail? If you are injured in a Tacoma train accident, the “clock” on your claim will begin to “tick” on the date of the train accident. From that point, the clock will continue ticking for three years. You must file your claim within that time window to be eligible for compensation. Otherwise, once the clock runs out, you will have a time-barred claim, and Washington State law will bar you from obtaining financial compensation for your losses by filing a personal injury lawsuit.
Can Contributory Fault Affect My Tacoma Train Accident Claim?
What will happen to your claim if you are partially to blame for the train accident? For example, what if you were injured as a passenger on a commuter rail from Tacoma to Seattle in an accident caused by a negligent train operator, but you also failed to follow some of the posted safety guidelines? Under Washington State’s contributory fault law, you can still recover compensation for your losses. However, the total amount of compensation you receive in your case will get reduced by your own portion of fault in the train accident.
Contact a Train Accident Lawyer in Tacoma, WA
Were you injured in a train accident in Tacoma, Washington? Was someone you love killed in a train derailment or collision? You may be eligible to file a claim for financial compensation. Train accident claims can be complicated, and it is essential to have an experienced train accident attorney in Tacoma, WA on your side throughout the process. An advocate at our firm can discuss your case with you today. Contact Khan Injury Law PLLC to learn more about how we can assist you.
