Trains are an essential mode of transportation for many local residents. Several train lines transport people and goods throughout the state.
Given the amount of train traffic, accidents occur from time to time, and they can cause devastating injuries. Many train accidents result in fatalities.
When you are injured in a railroad accident or if your loved one was killed, contact D’Amico & Pettinicchi, LLC. We have been obtaining maximum compensation for injured people for decades, and a Watertown train accident lawyer at our firm is prepared to put their experience to work for you.
Many people in Connecticut ride trains to work or for basic transportation. They may suffer injuries while boarding the train, getting caught in the train doors, or falling into the gap. Items stored overhead may fall and hit a passenger, and people can get injured when the train unexpectedly starts or stops. Common injuries in these scenarios include broken bones, soft tissue injuries, and concussions.
A train derailment or collision can cause injuries to multiple people—both passengers and people in the vicinity of the accident. These serious accidents can lead to catastrophic injuries like:
There are other threats when a cargo train has an accident. Many trains carry hazardous substances that can be released in a derailment or collision. People in the surrounding area might suffer from the effects of exposure, including respiratory problems and skin ailments. Sometimes, there is an increase in cancer and other serious diseases among people who have been exposed through an accidental release.
Just like car or truck accidents, most train accidents result from human error. An engineer might be driving the train too fast for conditions or could be inattentive due to fatigue or substance misuse. Poor track maintenance or signal errors might cause an accident.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigates all train accidents that cause injuries or serious property damage. The NTSB report usually pinpoints specific acts or omissions that contributed to the crash. The transportation company and its employees almost always have some responsibility for the incident.
A D’Amico & Pettinicchi, LLC, attorney in Watertown will also identify others who may have contributed to the accident. These include:
Train accident claims are more complicated than other types of personal injury claims. They often involve multiple defendants who share liability. Some of the defendants might be government-owned entities like MetroNorth, Amtrak, or the Connecticut Department of Transportation.
When a government entity is involved, special rules apply. Connecticut General Statutes § 4-147 requires you to send a detailed notice to the state Commissioner of Claims when you initiate a claim against the state government. You will need to get legal representation quickly, because timeframes for action are shorter when a government is a defendant.
The Watertown train accident attorneys at D’Amico & Pettinicchi, LLC, are accustomed to complex litigation. They have the knowledge, skills, and resources to manage deadlines and negotiations with multiple parties and obtain a successful result.
Being involved in a train accident can cause extraordinary physical and psychological trauma. The parties responsible for the accident must pay compensation, but pursuing damages can be overwhelming when you are seriously injured.
At D’Amico & Pettinicchi, LLC, we have a long track record of achieving excellent results for injured clients across the state of Connecticut. Contact a Watertown train accident lawyer for help. We offer free, remote or in-person consultations, so get in touch today.
