Several different types of trains run through Atlanta and the surrounding area. Amtrak, Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA), and the Atlanta Street Car are the three trains that transport the most passengers in the metro Atlanta area. Amtrak connects Atlanta to various cities around the country. Regional MARTA trains are vital to connecting Atlanta’s neighborhoods to downtown and the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. The Atlanta Street Car operates in a 2.7 mile loop in downtown Atlanta. Many freight trains run through the area, as well.
Most train accidents cause catastrophic injuries or death. The Atlanta train operators typically deny liability and attempt to blame the victim. Therefore, you will have to overcome formidable legal obstacles to recover the compensation you deserve. You should hire an experienced train accident attorney to help maximize the chances that you will be successful.
The Atlanta train accident lawyers at Graham Scofield Injury Lawyers have been litigating train accident cases for decades. Let us handle the legal battles for you so that you can focus upon obtaining the medical treatment that you need to recover.
Call an Atlanta injury lawyer from our firm today at (404) 939-9470, or contact us online to schedule a free case consultation.
Common Types of Atlanta Train Accidents
Our experienced railroad accident lawyers have represented injured individuals and surviving family members following:
- Rail Crossing Accidents
- Head-on Collisions
- Train-Pedestrian Accidents
- Derailments
- Failed Couplings
- Unsecured Footholds or Grab Irons
- Hazardous Materials Spills
- Accidents on the Train
Call us immediately if you’ve suffered injuries or lost a loved one in a train-related incident. We will thoroughly investigate the accident to determine what happened. We will gather as much evidence as we can to analyze the train operator’s fault.
Were You Hurt in a MARTA Train Accident?
MARTA is a widely-used rail and bus system. It maintains 38 train stations and 48 miles of track. These days, MARTA is used more frequently than it was in prior decades because Atlanta road traffic is so congested. As more people ride MARTA, there is a greater likelihood of potentially dangerous incidents.
The most common MARTA injuries occur while passengers are riding the train. For instance, if there is a sudden stop or a derailment, you could get thrown around the train car and collide with a seat, pole, or window and suffer serious injuries. You might also be injured if a MARTA train crashes with a motor vehicle, whether you are in the train or the vehicle.
Call our train injury lawyers right away if you were injured by a MARTA train accident. It is essential that you hire an experienced attorney to investigate the incident that injured you. If a MARTA employee’s carelessness caused your injuries, MARTA is still responsible for compensating you.
Many potential clients that contact us have initially attempted to negotiate their claims against MARTA on their own. The MARTA claim representative encourages them to submit their medical bills which understandably gives the victim hope that they will be fairly compensated. After the victim submits his or her medical bills, the MARTA claim representative inevitably responds by stating that MARTA denies liability and will not cover any medical bills or other incident-related losses. Many of our potential clients are so discouraged at that point that they don’t want to pursue their claim.
Don’t let MARTA take advantage of you. They work for you.
At Graham Scofield Injury Lawyers, we have litigated against MARTA for decades. We know how to overcome the common defenses that MARTA raises to try and avoid compensating you. We will do everything that we can to help maximize the compensation that you deserve.
Common Train Injuries
Our train accident lawyers have represented clients with moderate to catastrophic injuries. Some of the injuries our clients typically suffer include:
Who is At Fault for a Train Accident?
When a train accident occurs, it is critical to determine who was at fault. Train operators like MARTA will refuse to pay any reasonable compensation unless you prove that they are at fault and legally responsible for your injuries.
Train companies owe their passengers a high duty of care. They need to take many steps to keep their passengers safe, which includes warning their passengers about potential hazards. If an employee, such as a train conductor or security guard acted carelessly, their negligence could make their employer liable for your injuries.
However, sometimes train operators are not responsible for causing the incident. In a train-vehicle collision, the vehicle driver may be at fault if, for instance, the vehicle tries to speed and beat a train at a traffic crossing. Or, a driver may ignore crossing signs and warnings, especially if a crossing does not have a bar. In some cases, a vehicle attempts to drive around a train crossing bar and is struck by the train. In those situations, your claim for compensation should be made against the at-fault driver’s auto insurance policy.
We have also litigated cases in which the train accident was caused by a design or manufacturing defect. A train part or electronic system may have failed. In that situation, the manufacturer may be liable for your injuries.
It is often complicated to determine who is at fault for causing a train incident. Call our train accident legal team at Graham Scofield Injury Lawyers to help you find the answers you need. (404) 939-9470.
A Train Accident Lawyer is Here to Help
After being hurt in a train accident, or losing a loved one, you may feel helpless. Hiring a lawyer might be the last thing on your mind. Unfortunately, if you delay hiring an attorney, you may lose access to the evidence that you need to prove your case.
At Graham Scofield Injury Lawyers, we have decades of experience representing accident victims and surviving family members. We will put our knowledge, experience, and resources to work for you and your family so that your case does not suffer while you care for yourself or your loved one.
To learn more about how a train accident lawyer can help you, contact us at (404) 939-9470 to schedule a free, initial evaluation of your case.
