Train accidents are a serious issue in Pennsylvania and can have devastating consequences for those involved. According to data from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), there were a total of 317 train accidents and related incidents in Pennsylvania in 2020, resulting in 14 fatalities and 223 injuries. 

While train accidents are relatively rare compared to other types of transportation accidents, they can be particularly devastating due to the size and weight of trains. Train accidents can occur for a variety of reasons, including equipment failure, human error, and track defects. In some cases, accidents may be caused by a combination of factors.

Why Do Train Accidents Occur In Pennsylvania?

One of the most common causes of train accidents in Pennsylvania is equipment failure. This can include problems with the train itself, such as mechanical issues or faulty brakes, as well as issues with the tracks or signal systems. Equipment failure can lead to derailments or collisions, which can cause serious injuries or fatalities.

Human error is another common cause of train accidents in Pennsylvania. This can include mistakes made by train operators, such as exceeding speed limits or failing to follow proper procedures, as well as errors made by other employees, such as maintenance workers or signal operators. Human error can also be a factor in accidents caused by equipment failure, if employees fail to properly maintain or repair equipment.

Track defects can also contribute to train accidents in Pennsylvania. This can include problems with the tracks themselves, such as cracks or other structural issues, as well as issues with the surrounding environment, such as debris on the tracks or vegetation that obstructs the view of signals. Track defects can lead to derailments or collisions, and can be particularly dangerous if they are not properly identified and repaired.

Guarding Against Train Accidents In Pennsylvania

There are several steps that can be taken to reduce the risk of train accidents in Pennsylvania and ensure the safety of those who rely on trains for transportation. One important step is to invest in regular maintenance and repair of equipment, tracks, and signal systems. It is also important to ensure that train operators and other employees are properly trained and have the necessary resources to perform their jobs safely. Additionally, it is important to have effective safety protocols in place to minimize the risk of human error and respond quickly in the event of an accident.

In conclusion, train accidents are a serious issue in Pennsylvania and can have devastating consequences for those involved. While train accidents are relatively rare, they can occur due to a variety of factors, including equipment failure, human error, and track defects. By taking steps to invest in maintenance, training, and safety protocols, we can work to reduce the risk of train accidents and ensure the safety of those who rely on trains for transportation.

If you or a loved one has been harmed in a train accident resulting from the negligence of another party, it’s also important to understand that you may be eligible to receive financial compensation for your losses. Learn more by discussing your case with a Pittsburgh train accident attorney at Shenderovich, Shenderovich, & Fishman. Get started today by contacting us online or calling us at 888-98-TWINS(89467).

Whenever we hear about a train crash, we expect to hear about devastating injuries and damages. Train accidents more often than not can end with fatal injuries. In 2017, the latest reporting year, the Federal Railroad Administration states there were 12,000 total train accidents. From those incidents, 9,000 left injuries and there were 800 fatalities. These numbers can be frightening, which is why contacting a Pittsburgh train accident attorney is crucial after an accident. If you or a loved one have been involved in a train accident contact Shenderovich, Shenderovich & Fishman.

Train and Truck Collide

Over a week ago, a train and a tractor-trailer collided. Reports show that the train hit the tractor-trailer. The accident also caused the trailer to hit a nearby building where residents had to exit while officials ensured the safety and stability of the building. The crash happened on Pittsburgh street in Alleghany County. Luckily, no injuries were reported from the accident but traffic was held up for some time.

Trains are a major staple in Pittsburgh, especially with being known as the ‘Steel City”. Trains are used for a variety of reasons like the transportation of goods and people. Some trains are even equipped to transport hazardous materials. Should a train with a hazardous material crash or derail, it can cause chaos and a mass casualty. In order to avoid accidents, conductors need to have the proper training, and trains need to be maintained and inspected on a regular basis. Rail companies also need to ensure tracks and signals are functioning properly. If a signal is not working and another vehicle gets on the tracks while a train is coming, the consequences are sure to be deadly. One last contributing factor to a possible train accident is driver impairment.

The sheer size of a train is overbearing for any other vehicle. Add to that any cargo and the consequences are unimaginable.

How We Can Help

If you have suffered an injury from a train accident or have lost a loved one due to the negligence of another, it is time to seek help. At Shenderovich, Shenderovich & Fishman, we’ve got your back and not your wallet. Train accidents in Pittsburgh and the surrounding areas can leave victims with spinal cord injuries, loss of limb, traumatic brain injuries, and even a coma. We will seek compensation to cover your medical bills, loss of enjoyment of life, time off of work, and pain and suffering damages. You should not be left suffering due to someone else’s negligence. There may be more than one party who can be held responsible in a train accident, from the conductor to the company in charge of maintenance. When you are involved in an accident, you need a Pittsburgh train crash attorney. Schedule an initial consultation with the experienced attorneys at Shenderovich, Shenderovich & Fishman by calling us at 888-98-TWINS(89467) or by filling out our online contact form. Do not suffer in silence.

Currently, a one-way train ride between Pittsburgh and Philadelphia takes 7 hours or more. Most people find it more convenient to drive or fly between the two cities because it takes less time than a train ride, but that may all change if the hyperloop transit comes to town, cutting the trip down to 30 minutes or less. Pittsburgh train accidents attorneys like the idea of more convenient travel between our city and Philadelphia, but they have safety concerns for passengers that will be traveling in a train going approximately 700 miles per hour, just below the sound barrier.

Hyperloop

Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission approved a $2 million contract to look into the feasibility of bringing the hyperloop technology to Pittsburgh. Elon Musk, the founder of Tesla, has developed the idea of hyperloop trains, which would essentially send people and freight traveling in pods through underground, low-pressure tubes at speeds near 700 miles per hour. The idea sounds like it is straight out of a futuristic science fiction novel, but the concept is realistic enough for the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission or they would not be spending $2 million to study it.

Other interested states and countries

Hyperloop technology is already being studied and tested in other states including Nevada, California, Ohio, and Illinois. Other countries are interested and have begun exploring hyperloop technology as well. Support for hyperloop appears to be growing as engineers, government officials, and other people offer opinions related to hyperloop’s safety and use in terms of transporting people and/or goods.

Train accidents and injuries

Train injury attorneys at Shenderovich, Shenderovich & Fishman are following hyperloop advances, especially when it comes to passenger safety. As they know all too well, train accidents happen too often and injuries can be devastating. When trains collide with another train, people, and cars on the tracks, or other obstructions, injuries are often fatal or permanently debilitating.

Other types of accidents may include slip, trip, and fall on or around the trains and other injuries caused by dangerous train conditions and negligent operation. Train accident injuries frequently include severed limbs, traumatic brain injuries, broken bones, and spinal cord injuries.

Responsible parties

Potential defendants in a train accident may include trespassers on the tracks, train companies, track owners, train operators, and manufacturers and sellers of defective trains and parts. Train accidents are complicated cases, especially when it comes to determining the cause of train accidents, liable parties, and investigating possible violations of federal rules and regulations governing train operation. Because of this, only personal injury attorneys who specialize in train accidents should be trusted to handle train injury cases.

If you or a loved one has sustained injuries in a train accident, contact a Pittsburgh train accidents attorney at Shenderovich, Shenderovich & Fishman to schedule a free consultation. Our attorneys are diligent and aggressive advocates for innocent victims who have sustained injuries in train accidents. Compensation may include medical bills, future medical expenses, lost wages, loss of earning capacity, disability, disfigurement, and pain and suffering.

Pennsylvania is unique in that we still use railroads every day. We use railroads not just for passengers, but we get a lot of freight trains too. Even though our state uses the railroad system, the infrastructure does not match its use. By this, we mean that our railway system is in need of not only a makeover but a total overhaul. Until then accidents will continue to happen. Our Pittsburgh Train Accident Attorneys at Shenderovich, Shenderovich and Fishman understand the unique nature of train accident cases. We know that the last thing you consider is whether or not your train is going to get you home. You also don’t consider whether the train driver is drunk or not. There are many factors that contribute to an accident and our Pittsburgh Train Accident Attorneys are here to help you through this process.

Train Statistics

Last August, a major train accident occurred resulting in train cars tumbling down a hillside. Thankfully no one was hurt. Instead, hundreds of products from clothing to Listerine were spread fell out of their carriers. People could smell the Listerine from miles away. Even though investigators are still trying to understand what caused the accident, it is a fair assumption that it was poor rail conditions or poor driving.

Most train accidents do not happen to those who work on the railways. Most accidents happen to pedestrians, riders, or vehicles. For example, two train accidents happened between 2015 and 2016. One resulted in two Amtrak workers killed with 30 passengers injured and the other killed 8 Amtrak passengers. The second accident happened because a train hit a backhoe. Both accidents may have been related to speeding. It is also very clear that both accidents were caused by drivers and workers not following basic safety rules.

Train accidents are more common than you think and their effect on the mortality rate of passengers is quite high. The Federal Railroad Administration suggested that an average of 28 people die a year due to some train accident. This does not include minor, major, or severe injuries caused by trains. Even though Lancaster Online reported that people feel comfortable taking the train, it is hard to keep feeling safe knowing that accidents can occur at any time. It is hard to keep riding knowing that our railroads are being neglected and safety rules are being ignored. These issues have real-life consequences.

What To Do

For some people trains are their only means of transportation. Trains are really convenient because they avoid the traffic on the road and provide people a means to live further outside the city. You expect train service to commit to a certain duty of care, especially if you are dependent on those services. If you or someone you love is suffering from a train accident then you deserve to seek justice. Filing a suit will not only provide the financial relief you need, but it will also send a message to get these railroads cleaned up. Call 412-391-7610 or click here to schedule a free consultation with our professional attorneys at Shenderovich, Shenderovich, & Fishman today.