Much of the nation’s freight still moves by train, some of it through Connecticut. The state is also served by several commuter rail and passenger train lines that carry people into many local towns and cities as well as New York City, Boston, and beyond.
Unfortunately, this means train accidents are somewhat common here, and when they happen can cause serious injuries or death. When you or a loved one suffers significant injuries while riding on a local railway, it’s important to work with a Torrington train accident lawyer.
D’Amico & Pettinicchi, LLC, has been representing accident victims and their families for decades and achieving excellent results. Our experienced personal injury attorneys have a stellar record of obtaining maximum compensation for injured accident victims.
There are many ways to be injured on a train. Whenever an injury requires medical treatment and causes you to miss work, pursuing a legal claim with the help of a Torrington train accident attorney is worth considering.
Passengers often suffer injuries when train doors close on them, the train comes to a sudden stop and they fall, or they trip over obstacles in the aisles. Serious injuries occur when a train derails, hits a vehicle in a railroad crossing or a person on the tracks, or collides with another train. These incidents often produce catastrophic and fatal injuries.
Sometimes, people who are bystanders in train accidents suffer injuries. They might be harmed by flying shrapnel or crushed by a train that leaves the tracks. Release of toxic or hazardous cargo can cause fires and contaminate the air, water, and land in the area around the crash site. Entire neighborhoods might suffer the effects of exposure to these toxins.
When you are injured in a train accident you are entitled to receive compensation that makes you whole. Although you may never recover completely from your injuries, you deserve enough money to ensure you can access all the care and services you need and have the fullest life possible despite the accident. A Torrington lawyer will work closely with you and your family to identify and document all your losses after a railroad injury so you can claim the maximum possible.
You can claim damages for all your out-of-pocket expenses, including medical care, ancillary services, and incidentals. You can claim your lost wages and the value of any employment benefits you used while recovering. When you require ongoing treatment or if you cannot return to work, you can claim your future losses.
You are also entitled to compensation for your pain and suffering. These non-economic damages compensate you for your:
Sometimes an injured person is partially at fault for injuries they suffer in a train accident. When someone drives through a railroad crossing barrier and gets hit by a train, they likely have at least partial responsibility unless the barrier was not functioning correctly.
Connecticut General Statutes § 52-572h allows you to claim damages even when your conduct contributed to your injuries as long as you don’t bear primary responsibility for the accident. However, your damages award will be reduced by a percentage that equals your degree of fault. If the judge decides you were 15 percent responsible for your injuries, you may collect only 85 percent of your damages.
Working with an experienced Torrington railway injury attorney is crucial when your conduct might have contributed to your injuries. The railroad and other defendants will work hard to increase your degree of fault because doing so minimizes their liability. A skilled legal professional can anticipate their arguments and counter them effectively, preserving your right to obtain maximum compensation.
Train accidents can cause devastating physical and psychological injuries. It can take years to recover, and many people never regain the life they had before the accident.
Reach out to Torrington train accident lawyer at D’Amico & Pettinicchi, LLC, as soon after the accident as possible. They can investigate and prepare a robust legal case against the railroad and other responsible parties.
Don’t try to manage a train accident claim without legal assistance. Schedule a free, in-person or remote consultation with our team today.
