Santa Maria Train Accident Attorneys

Train wrecks might not be as common as car accidents, but when they do happen, the outcome is often catastrophic. Whether the crash involves a derailment or a collision with a pedestrian or another vehicle, serious injuries are likely to occur. Our Santa Maria train accident lawyers are dedicated to helping the injured and their loved ones fight for the compensation they need to move on with life. Depending on the circumstances, you may have grounds for a claim against the company or entity that owns or operates the train, the owner of the track, or another party. Our lawyers will perform a meticulous investigation to identify all potentially liable parties, gather evidence, and ensure your case is as strong as possible before we enter settlement negotiations. We believe every accident victim deserves top-tier legal representation, which is why our attorneys offer free consultations and accept cases on a contingency fee basis. To speak with a member of our team, call our 24-hour phone line at 1-800-GO-HARRIS.

What Can I Do to Strengthen My Train Accident Case?

The smartest step you can take to protect your claim is to hire a skilled train accident attorney who has achieved successful outcomes in cases like yours. At Harris Personal Injury Lawyers, we have many decades of combined experience in personal injury and wrongful death cases, and we have an in-depth knowledge of the case law and statutes pertaining to train accident claims. We can help you avoid critical mistakes and ensure your claim accounts for all the damages you may be owed. Besides hiring an attorney, there are other steps you can take that may increase your chances of obtaining a financial recovery, such as:

• Undergoing an Immediate Medical Evaluation: If you were seriously injured, it’s likely that you’ve already undergone a medical assessment. But if you were able to walk away from the scene, you may have decided to forego the doctor’s visit. Although some injuries can heal without medical intervention, you won’t be able to recover damages for healthcare costs unless you can prove such costs with official documentation. Not only is it important that you seek medical care, but it’s also wise to do so right away. The insurance adjuster will look for any opportunity to deny or reduce the value of your claim. If you wait too long to get a diagnosis, the adjuster might argue that your injuries aren’t as severe as you’re claiming or that they were caused by something else. The adjuster might even contend that your negligent decision to forego medical care has caused your injuries to worsen and, therefore, you shouldn’t be compensated for 100 percent of your damages.

• Not Returning to Work Too Early: After a serious injury, it can be difficult to stay afloat financially for just a few days, let alone several months while your case is pending. You may be tempted to return to work before your doctor says it’s okay to do so, but this could lead to the insurance adjuster arguing that your own negligence has contributed to the severity of your injuries or has prolonged your recovery. This may constitute a failure to mitigate damages, which could ultimately reduce the settlement or verdict. In other words, you need to take reasonable steps to facilitate your recovery, and that means following your doctor’s orders exactly. If you’re concerned about falling behind on essential bills, your attorney can help you explore the options for covering immediate medical needs and other costs until the conclusion of your case.

• Being Cautious About What You Post Online: Anything you say or do from the moment of the accident to the conclusion of your case could impact the outcome of your claim—and that includes what you say and do online. It’s wise to avoid posting any photos of yourself taken after the injury or writing any text posts about what happened. The reason—insurance adjusters often look at the social media profiles of claimants to find evidence that can be used to dispute liability or damages. The best way to prevent your online presence from harming your case is to disable your accounts temporarily. At the very least, you should avoid posting about the accident and injury, and ask your connections not to tag you in anything or post any photos of you.

• Letting Your Attorney Handle Relevant Correspondence: Your Santa Maria train accident attorney can handle all correspondence with the insurance company so you don’t provide any statements that bring liability or the extent of your injuries into question.

Speak with a Santa Maria Trian Accident Lawyer Today: Call 1-800-GO-HARRIS

Our attorneys have the knowledge, experience, and resources to help you fight for the highest settlement possible. If the opposing party refuses to cooperate, we relish the opportunity to take your case to trial. For a free consultation, dial 1-800-GO-HARRIS or send us a message on our Contact Form.