Corpus Christi Railroad Injury Lawyers

Providing Aggressive Representation in Nueces County & Beyond

At Bandas Law Firm, P.C., we are an experienced team of railroad injury lawyers who have seen the damage and heartache that can be caused by railroad injuries. We also understand how often these injuries can happen and how they can occur. Whether you are a railroad worker who was injured on the job or the surviving family member of someone who was killed at a railroad crossing, our firm can help you pursue justice and the fair recovery you are owed.

Railroad Worker Injuries

If you are a railroad worker who was injured during a railroad accident, you may be able to file a lawsuit and get compensation for your injuries. Signed more than 100 years ago in 1908, the Federal Employees Liability Act (FELA), protects railroad employees who suffer work-related injuries. According to this act, if a railroad worker is injured or killed, the worker or his/her family will have a path to compensation for the accident.

FELA is designed to protect almost every single person who works with the railroad, including those who don’t even work around trains. If you have a claim against FELA, then you can go directly to the employer or the railroad company. However, to ensure your rights are protected, it still makes sense to work with an experienced railroad injury lawyers because you will still need to prove liability.

Our Corpus Christi railroad worker injury attorneys can help you determine if you qualify to take advantage of this government law.

Proving Liability in Railroad Accident Claims

There are numerous different dangers that employees of the railroad system can be exposed to on a regular basis, but determining liability in these accidents can be very difficult. For that reason, when facing a railroad injury case, you will need an experienced railroad injury attorney on your side to look out for your rights.

FELA doesn’t work the same as workers’ compensation, which is no fault. You will need to show that someone was negligent and, therefore, liable for your injury.

According to the law, people connected with the railroad industry are required to:

• Ensure the work environment is safe within reason, including providing tools, equipment, and needed safety devices that are all in good working order
• Inspect work equipment and the environment regularly to ensure everything is in working order and free of hazards.
• Provide training, assistance, evaluations, and help to ensure all employees can properly perform their job
• Provide workers safety from other workers
• Ensure all rules and regulations are enforced at all times
• Work to prevent unreasonable work quotas (drastic overtimes, etc.)

If any of these areas were not covered properly, you will likely be able to prove liability. However, finding the proper information and documentation can be difficult. For this reason, contacting an experienced attorney is a must.

Contact Bandas Law Firm, P.C. for a free case evaluation; call (361) 238-2789.

Railroad Crossing Accidents: What You Need to Know

States across the country have made a lot of progress reducing railroad crossing accidents and injuries. From 2004 to 2013, the number of accidents decreased from 3,085 to 2,096. The number of fatalities also decreased from 371 to 281 people. Despite these efforts, there are still thousands of accidents every year. Sometimes these accidents are preventable and are due to negligence on the part of the railroad company or a conductor. In these situations, the injured parties may be entitled to compensation. If you were injured in a railroad crossing accident, contact our Corpus Christi railroad injury lawyers  right away. We can help you evaluate the case and decide on your next steps.

Train & Vehicle Collisions

Many of the railroad crossing accidents that occur are between trains and automobiles. These accidents can cause a lot of damage, destroying the automobile, damaging the train, and causing serious injury or death. These accidents typically happen at grade crossings. Grade crossings are areas where automobiles cross directly over the railroad tracks instead of over or under them, and they are where most railroad crossing accidents occur. If you were involved in this type of accident, an attorney can help you evaluate who was liable and advise you if you should pursue a lawsuit.

Drivers who were trying to beat a train may not be able to win a lawsuit because the court may find that their negligence or recklessness contributed to the collision. However, there are also situations where the railroad company or the train conductor is liable. For example, if the conductor was very tired or under the influence of alcohol, he/she may be at fault. If the railroad crossing arms were malfunctioning and didn’t alert the driver that a train was coming, that might also mean the driver is entitled to compensation.

Pedestrian-Train Accidents

The most dangerous types of railroad accidents are between pedestrians and trains. These accidents result in the most serious of injuries and, often, death. If your loved one was killed in a pedestrian-train accident, you may be able to file a wrongful death suit. You will have to establish that the train company had a duty of care, violated that duty, and that the violation or negligent act caused the death of your family member. This may be a very difficult case to argue and win, but a lawyer experienced in railroad crossing accidents can help you collect evidence and make your case.

Compensation in Railroad Accident Claims

When you have an attorney go to bat for you and look after your best interests, you will be able to pursue compensation for a variety of damages, including past and future loss of wages, past and future medical expenses, and past and future pain and suffering, which includes mental distress.

If you are a surviving loved one and your family member died due to a railroad accident, FELA protects your rights as well. Compensation can go to a surviving spouse, surviving children, or surviving parents.

In the event that you have been involved in a railroad injury and you need to file a FELA claim, contact Bandas Law Firm, P.C. today. We have experienced Corpus Christi railroad injury lawyers who know how to navigate the FELA laws and ensure you are properly compensated for your injuries. When you contact us, we will provide you with a free case evaluation. One of our attorneys will begin evaluating your case to determine the best way to move forward.

These accidents are often tragic and life-changing. The injuries sustained after colliding with a train are very serious and require expensive medical care. It’s very important that you have proper representation in these situations so that you can get the help you need to pay current and future medical bills, as well as to make up for lost wages.