San Francisco Train Accident Attorneys

There’s a reason why the term “train wreck” can be used figuratively to describe any disastrous or chaotic situation. These accidents have resulted in some of the most catastrophic scenes ever witnessed—and they often leave serious injuries and death in their wake. Our San Francisco train accident lawyers have seen firsthand the trauma and adversity faced by those who have been injured or lost loved ones in these incidents, and we are proud to help victims pursue the highest compensation possible. There are many parties who might be liable for your damages, and several insurance policies might be in play. Our attorneys have one goal—to get you the maximum settlement as soon as possible. If the opposing party refuses to settle, we will relish the opportunity to go to trial. Call 1-800-GO-HARRIS for a free consultation. We are available 24 hours a day to take your call.

What Can I Do to Strengthen My Train Accident Claim?

If you intend to bring a personal injury or wrongful death claim after a train wreck, there are measures you can take to give your case the best chance of success. It is important to remember that what you say and do from the time of the accident to the day your case is resolved will be carefully scrutinized by the opposing party to identify reasons to deny or reduce the value of your claim. Once you hire a San Francisco train accident attorney, your legal team will take over the logistics of your case such as getting statements from the parties involved, interviewing eyewitnesses, gathering evidence, filing the required paperwork, calculating your damages, and managing settlement negotiations. Although this is the lion’s share of the work required to reach a fair settlement, it is essential that you are vigilant throughout the proceedings in order to minimize the likelihood of a dispute. Below are a few ways to do just that:

• Seek Medical Care Right Away: Visiting a doctor can be both uncomfortable and inconvenient. If you’re confident that your injury isn’t serious, you might think that getting a diagnosis would be unnecessary; however, the insurance company won’t cover any of your healthcare costs or other damages related to your injury unless you get an official diagnosis.

• Don’t Ignore Your Doctor’s Orders: Staying out of work and avoiding strenuous activity isn’t easy—especially if you’re living paycheck to paycheck or you’re accustomed to daily exercise. You may even think that returning to work or engaging in light physical activity couldn’t possibly aggravate your injury. Unfortunately, the insurance company will take advantage of any opportunity to argue that your own negligence has caused your injury to worsen or has prolonged your recovery. If they assert this argument effectively, your award of damages may be reduced. There are many kinds of evidence the insurance adjuster might use to prove a failure to mitigate damages. Examples include eyewitness deposition, social media posts, and surveillance footage.

• Don’t Speak to the Insurance Adjuster: Finding legitimate reasons to reduce your final payout isn’t just the insurance adjuster’s goal; that’s their job. They have financial incentive to minimize your recovery or to deny your claim outright. One of the most effective tactics for doing so is to get claimants to inadvertently admit fault, downplay the severity or their injuries, or confess to a failure to mitigate damages. You might not even know that the statements you provide will put your claim in jeopardy; you may even think they would only serve to strengthen your case. But many insurance adjusters are skilled manipulators who will make you feel comfortable and then ask leading questions to elicit a particular response—a response that seems benign on the surface but can be used to challenge your claim. Your best course of action is to let your San Francisco train accident lawyer handle all such correspondence from day one.

• Don’t Discuss Your Case on Social Media: Just like your recorded conversations with the insurance adjuster, your social media posts may also be used to dispute your claim. It is wise to play it safe and disable your accounts while your case is pending.

• Keep Track of Your Damages: Keep any receipts, invoices, and other documentation of your expenses organized and in a safe place. Your claim can account for any reasonable and necessary costs you incur as a result of the accident or injury.

Our San Francisco Train Accident Lawyers Are Available 24/7

At Harris Personal Injury Lawyers, we offer free, no-obligation consultations to train accident victims and their families, and we don’t charge attorney’s fees unless we win a settlement or verdict. You have nothing to lose by speaking with us about your claim. Send us a message online or call 1-800-GO-HARRIS to schedule a case review.