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Estey & Bomberger now handling Skechers Shapeup, and Toning shoes injury cases.

California Train Accident Attorney

New: San Francisco Light Rail Crash

Train accidents are devastating and can easily result in serious injury or death. If you are a loved one has been injured or if you have lost a family member in a train accident, you need to speak to a California train accident attorney who can help you understand your legal options for filing a claim and recovering damages. The law firm of Estey & Bomberger, LLP does not charge up front fees and there are fees if we do not win your case. We offer a free consultation to all potential clients.

Train Accident and Derailment Information

In the United States, there are over 600 railroads and hundreds of thousands of miles of railroad tracks crossing this country.  Much of this is used for freight transport, which includes rail for cargo, merchandise and chemicals.  It is those trains carrying the toxic chemicals that are of particular threat when they are involved in accidents.  Passenger trains, on the other hand, use only a fraction of the railroads.  These railroads, too, are involved in collisions and derailments.  The problem here is, these trains are carrying hundreds of passengers on them. Negligence on the part of engineers, inadequate rail maintenance, and unsafe operators are but a few of the reasons cited for what causes train accidents.  Automobiles crossing the tracks and causing collisions is an all too common problem.  Last January, 2005 a man left his truck on the railroad tracks in an alleged suicide attempt and caused a Metrolink train to crash into the vehicle and derail, killing eleven victims and injuring at least two hundred others. Train travel has increased dramatically in California in the past decade. Commuters rely on trains such as the Metrolink to get them to and from work every day.  With more use comes an increase risk of accidents.

Train accidents often result because of the railroad's negligence (such as poor maintenance of trains or track) or the negligence of the operator.  In many cases such accidents could have been avoided if the engineer had acted in a proper fashion.  When these accidents do occur, they may result in lost lives and terrible injury to those involved. 

In 2005, where were 3,152 train accidents. Thirty three resulted in fatalities, 730 people were injured. 2,256 derailments occured and there were 261 collisions. As the numbers show, train accidents are not at all uncommon.          

Railroad accidents may also result in hazardous chemical and material spills. These types of accidents basically consist of:

  • train derailments
  • collisions with passenger vehicles or trucks
  • collision with other trains
For 2005, statistics showed that in 36 accidents where the release of hazardous materials was involved, 7,646 persons were evacuated at the time of these incidents.  49 rail cars in these accidents were reported as releasing hazardous materials. 
The laws that govern liability on train accidents can be extremely complex.  When it comes to injuries sustained in a railroad accident, proving the physical, emotional, or psychological extent of an injury can be difficult.  Not all railroad companies are willing to assume responsibility, it may be necessary, then, for accident victims to contact legal representation to ensure fast recovery of damages resulting from the accident.  A credible and trustworthy California personal injury attorney who understands the laws pertaining to railroad accidents could make all the difference.  Call the legal experts at Estey & Bomberger today.  We have the resources and expertise to help you through the complex process related to helping you receive just compensation for damages resulting from such an accident.

Case Results

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$17.5 million products liability case
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$5 million brain injury and wrongful death case
$3.4 million motorcycle accident case
$3.2 million bus accident case
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$2.6 million spinal cord injury case

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San Francisco, California
San Jose, California
Ventura, California
Sacramento, California
Oakland, California
Imperial County, CA
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Fresno, California
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