Train Wrecks

Houston Train Crash Injury Attorney

Law Office of Shane R. Kadlec in Houston TX

Lawyer for Injuries Caused by Railroad Crossing Accidents in Harris County

Railroad accidents are less common than car wrecks in Houston, but the potential for serious injuries or even death is much higher due to the sheer mass of the equipment and the nature of train travel. On commuter railways or traveling cross-country, passengers often stand and walk about the coaches. When seated, passengers do not wear safety belts.

In a railroad accident, a passenger can suffer numerous motion or blunt force injuries such as whiplash, spinal cord injuries, broken or dislocated bones, brain injury, or even wrongful death. Passengers are not the only people injured in train accidents: railroad crossings are dangerous spots for motor vehicles and pedestrians.

According to the Federal Railroad Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board:

  • In the past several decades, there have been few improvements in the technology and safety precautions in America's railways.
  • While there has been a decrease in accidents involving motor vehicles and trains, pedestrian-related accidents have grown in number.
  • Approximately 60 percent of train crossing deaths happen at crossings that are not protected by crossing lights or safety gates, and many public crossings are unprotected.
  • Train derailments and collisions happen often, with about 16 occurring every day.

What Are the Causes of Train Accidents?

The following are common reasons why train accidents occur in Texas:

  • Mechanical or electrical failure: Operators rely on switches and signals to prevent them from going down the wrong track or an occupied track. Switch and signal failures can lead to collisions with other trains.
  • Track defects or maintenance issues: Design flaws and faulty maintenance on tracks can cause derailments, especially at high speeds.
  • Human error: Train operators can be distracted by cell phone use and tasks unrelated to their job. Human error also affects motorists who ignore signals and attempt to race a train through the crossing.

While the causes of railroad accidents vary, railroads should be held accountable for injuries and deaths. With the help of an experienced attorney, injured victims and their loved ones can take action against negligent companies or employees, seek compensation for injuries and prevent future accidents.

Speak With an Experienced Houston Train Accident Attorney

Contact the Law Office of Shane R. Kadlec today if you or a loved one has been the victim of a train accident in Texas. If you have been injured outside of Texas, we work with attorneys throughout the country who focus their practice on train accidents in every state. We are happy to meet with you in your home or hospital room. We accept cases on a contingent-fee basis, which means that you will not pay us any money if we do not win your case.

To learn more, contact us online or call us at 281-962-8949281-962-8949. We help injured victims in Harris County, Liberty County, Brazoria County, Chambers County, Galveston County, and the surrounding areas.


Contact Us For A Free Consultation

Work with an attorney with a proven record of success. To begin crafting your personal injury case, contact our Houston office online or call us at Free Consultation 281-962-8949281-962-8949.

We offer free personal injury consultations, and most cases are handled on a contingency fee basis. Under this fee structure, you would not owe us attorney fees unless we recovered compensation on your behalf.