In some ways, train accidents are like motor vehicle accidents: they happen quickly, often at high speeds, and can cause serious injuries and deaths. A train accident case may be more complicated, though, since it can involve multiple parties.
If a train accident injured you in Covington, our lawyers can help recover compensation from the party responsible for the accident, which may be the railroad, an employee, or a municipality. A Covington personal injury lawyer from Kaine Law can help you identify the responsible party and seek damages for your medical expenses, loss of income, and pain and suffering.
A Lawyer Can Investigate Who Caused Your Train Accident in Covington
You might expect that the railroad company is always responsible for a train accident, but there are actually several potentially liable parties in a train accident case. Our lawyer will conduct a thorough investigation to uncover which party caused your accident. Here are some parties that can cause a train accident:
- The railroad company: Railroad companies have an obligation to provide their passengers with a safe travel environment, and any failure to maintain a safe environment constitutes negligence. Railroad companies must keep their trains properly maintained, thoroughly screen and train their employees, and maintain safe steps and entrances to the train. These companies must keep passengers safe while in transit by keeping a safe speed and monitoring doors as passengers enter and exit.
- A railroad employee: An individual railroad employee can act negligently and cause a train accident. For example, an employee may fail to conduct their assigned maintenance duties or show up to work under the influence of drugs or alcohol, leading to an accident.
- The state of Georgia: In accordance with O.C.G.A. § 32-6-50, the Georgia Department of Transportation (DOT) shall place and maintain signs at railroad crossings where train tracks cross a state highway. A train accident in Covington may occur because the state failed to place warning signs at railroad crossings, or the signs may be poorly maintained and difficult to see.
- A municipality: The DOT requires counties and municipalities to place and maintain railroad crossing signs where train tracks cross local roads. Train accidents may occur because the county or municipality failed to erect warning signs or failed to conduct proper maintenance to keep them visible.
- A railroad maintenance company: Sometimes, railroad companies contract out train moves, train switching, maintenance of brakes and other train components, and railroad-owned crossing signs. Contractors that neglect these responsibilities can cause an accident.
With so many parties involved in the safe performance of railway travel, it can be challenging to figure out which party caused a train accident. The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) investigates train accidents that result in deaths or serious injuries. Our lawyer serving Covington will gather FRA reports, take pictures of the accident, interview eyewitnesses, and gather other evidence to identify the party responsible for your train accident.
For a free legal consultation with a train accident lawyer serving Covington, call 404-214-2001
How Much Is Your Train Accident Case Worth?
Your injuries from a train accident can land you in the hospital and keep you out of work, which can be stressful as your everyday and medical bills pile up. Our lawyer can estimate the value of the losses from your train accident in Covington. You may be able to recover:
Economic Damages in a Covington Train Accident
Economic damages compensate you for concrete losses such as:
- Medical expenses, such as emergency care, diagnostic imaging, surgeries, rehabilitation, and prescription medication
- Future medical expenses for anticipated surgeries or ongoing care
- Loss of income, including wages, tips, and salary
- Property damage if your personal items were damaged on the train or if your vehicle collided with a train
Non-economic Damages in a Covington Train Accident
Non-economic damages compensate you for intangible losses such as:
- Chronic pain
- Extended recovery period
- Permanent disability
- Disfigurement or scarring
- Emotional trauma
- Reduced quality of life
Wrongful Death Damages in a Covington Train Accident
Wrongful death damages in Georgia are meant to compensate surviving family members for the full loss of their loved ones. After the death of your family member in a Covington train accident, you may be able to recover damages for:
- Your loved one’s medical care related to the train accident
- Your loved one’s funeral and burial expenses
- Loss of financial support based on the salary, tips, wages, and benefits that your loved one would have earned if he or she had survived
- The loss of care, companionship, counsel, and advice that your loved one would have provided to surviving family members
Covington Train Accident Lawyer Near Me 404-214-2001
File Your Train Accident Lawsuit in Covington Before Time Runs Out
Train accidents happen in an instant, and the repercussions may last forever, but your window of time to seek damages does not. Georgia limits how much time you have to file a lawsuit against the responsible party for either personal injury or wrongful death. These laws may affect your case:
- O.C.G.A § 9-3-33 generally sets the statute of limitations for personal injury lawsuits or wrongful death lawsuits at two years. This law means that you have two years from the date of the train accident to file a lawsuit for personal injury or two years from the date your loved one passed away to file a lawsuit for wrongful death.
- O.C.G.A. § 36-33-5 sets the statute of limitations when suing a city at just six months.
Our lawyer will investigate your case, determine which laws affect your train accident case, and establish a timeline of events. We will make sure that you file your lawsuit before the statute of limitations expires.
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Kaine Law Is Ready to Represent You in a Covington Train Accident Case
Train accidents are both devastating and complex. You may not know where to turn after sustaining injuries or losing a family member in a train accident. Our lawyer serving Covington can investigate your case, identify the responsible party, and help you seek the damages you deserve. Kaine Law offers free case consultations and collects no fees unless we win your case. Contact our office today so we can get started on your case.
Call or text 404-214-2001 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
