If you’ve been injured or lost a loved one in a train wreck, you probably have a lot of questions. Can I sue the railroad company? What kinds of damages can I pursue? How do I start the process? Our San Diego train accident attorneys can provide the answers you seek and help you navigate every step of the proceedings. There are many parties who might be liable for a train crash. Our lawyers can perform a thorough investigation to determine what caused the accident, who was at fault, and how best to approach the settlement negotiations. We’ve won more than $300,000,000 in personal injury and wrongful death cases. Schedule a free consultation today by calling 1-800-GO-HARRIS.

What Kinds of Train Accident Claims Does Harris Personal Injury Lawyers Handle in San Diego?

• Accidents Involving Multiple Trains
• Derailment Accidents
• Accidents Caused by Defective Equipment
• Train Accidents Involving Speeding
• Accidents Caused by Fatigue
• Accidents at Railroad Crossings
• Wrongful Death Train Accidents
• Other Train Accidents

What Should I Do After a Train Accident?

After a train accident, there are several parties who might be liable for damages including the company or public agency that owned the train, the owner of the track, another motor-vehicle driver, or the manufacturer of a defective part. No matter who is liable, however, you can expect that party (or their insurance company) to invest considerable resources and effort into fighting your claim. To avoid unnecessary delays and complications and to ensure your case has the highest possible chance of success, there are steps you should take immediately after the accident and over the days and weeks that follow. It’s important that you’re careful about what you say and do since the opposing party will be looking for any possible reason to dispute liability or damages. Hopefully, you were able to collect evidence and take pictures while you were at the scene. If you weren’t able to gather evidence, it’s critical that you speak with a San Diego train accident lawyer right away so your attorney can conduct the investigation as soon as possible. Essential evidence might become unavailable within just a few days. At Harris Personal Injury Lawyers, we can get to work promptly and visit the scene, interview eyewitnesses, and investigate other sources of evidence that might be used to strengthen your case. Read on to learn a few steps you can take to protect your claim:

• Undergo a Medical Assessment: Have you visited a doctor for an official diagnosis? If you haven’t, this should be your top priority. Without sufficient documentation of your injuries and symptoms, the opposing party might try to argue that your injuries were caused by something else, or that the settlement shouldn’t account for 100 percent of your damages due to your negligent decision to put off medical care. Even if your symptoms don’t seem dire, it’s essential that you undergo an evaluation as soon as possible.
• Call a Train Accident Attorney: No matter how straightforward your case seems, there are all sorts of complications that can arise during the proceedings. A lawyer with experience handling train accident cases will be able to anticipate and avoid disputes before they arise and can make sure your claim accounts for all damages you may be owed.
• Direct All Relevant Correspondence to Your Lawyer: Once you’ve hired an attorney, you’ll no longer have to speak with the insurance company. If you’re contacted by anyone affiliated with the insurer, you should decline to answer any questions or to provide statements and, instead, direct that correspondence to your San Diego train accident lawyer.
• Start a Personal Injury Journal: You should keep a daily journal to record your answers to the following questions: What symptoms are you experiencing? How frequently do they occur? On a scale of 1 to 10, what is the severity of your symptoms? How long do they last? Have you experienced any medication side effects? How have your injuries affected your familial and social relationships?
• Disable Your Social Media Profiles: This is a critical step that many accident victims overlook. No matter how careful you are during correspondence with the insurance company, there are many sources of evidence the insurance adjuster might evaluate when investigating your claim. Your social media accounts provide a snapshot of your daily life and might provide insight into the severity of your injuries and the steps you’re taking (or not taking) to facilitate your recovery. Any photos, videos, or text posts on your account (or on the accounts of your connections) might be used to dispute your claim. As such, it’s a good idea to disable your accounts temporarily or, at least, to set them to private. You should also avoid posting anything about your injury or case, and decline any new connection requests.

Speak with Our San Diego Train Accident Lawyers Today

For a free consultation, call our office today at 1-800-GO-HARRIS. You can also reach us online through our Contact Page. We’re available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.