Train Passenger Injury Lawyer
Train accidents can have catastrophic consequences, including severe injuries and financial hardship. If you’ve been hurt in a Virginia train accident, you may be frightened or confused and may not know where to begin or how to proceed. Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers is here to help.
With over 120 years of combined legal experience, our diligent and reliable train passenger injury lawyers are skilled at providing clients with exceptional legal service and outstanding customer service.
On This Page
- Why Choose Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers for Your Passenger Injury Case?
- Your Rights as a Train Passenger
- Available Compensation After an Accident on a Train
- Important Time Limits To Be Aware Of
- How Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers Can Help
- Contact Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers Today for Your Free Legal Consultation
Why Choose Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers for Your Passenger Injury Case?
Our experienced railroad passenger injury lawyers have extensive experience handling train accident cases. Founding partner John Cooper and senior associate attorney Bailey Gifford lead the way in providing dedicated representation to victims of railroad accidents.
John has over 30 years of experience representing injured people and specializes in Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA) and other railroad cases. He’s spent years helping railroad workers who were injured on the job. His expertise has provided insight into how railroads operate, the identities of key players at railway companies, and other crucial points of practice.
Bailey, who handles many of the firm’s railroad cases, specializes in railroad accidents and catastrophic injuries. She has been recognized as an elite lawyer on the Virginia Business Legal Elite list in 2022 and 2023, the National Trial Lawyers’ 40 Under 40 list in 2023, and a Super Lawyers Rising Star list in 2024.
Both John and Bailey have used their deep insight and knowledge to help secure millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts for railroad accident victims.
Your Rights as a Train Passenger
As a train passenger, you have the right to travel safely without the risk of injury caused by negligence. If you are injured due to the negligence of a rail company or a rail employee, you may be able to file a claim for compensation based on your injuries.
Common carriers like Amtrak and Brightline owe passengers a high duty of care, which means they can be legally liable for negligence that leads to a passenger’s injury.
Common causes of train passenger injuries
- Wet floors in bathrooms or meal cars may result in slip-and-fall injuries
- Poorly maintained interior storage that may lead to injuries from falling items
- Improper handrails or steps that may cause potential falls
- Uneven walking surfaces on trains or train platforms that may be a tripping hazard
- Malfunctioning doors that may cause injuries while passengers enter and exit the train
Available Compensation After an Accident on a Train
You may be eligible to receive compensation after a train accident. Depending on the details of your accident, compensation for your injuries could include economic and non-economic damages.
Economic damages compensate victims for the financial losses they incurred from the accident. These include losses such as medical bills, lost wages, and other related costs. Non-economic damages compensate victims for losses and trauma that don’t have a specific financial value. These may include pain and suffering, inconvenience, loss of enjoyment of life, and other intangible losses that can significantly alter a victim’s life. Ultimately, each case is unique, and the settlement amount will depend on a combination of these factors.
Several factors affect the settlement amount in train accident injury cases, including:
- Severity of injuries: More serious injuries, especially those with lasting effects, usually result in higher settlements.
- Lost wages and earning capacity: This loss is factored in if the injury prevents the victim from working or reducing their earning ability.
- Liability and fault: The defendant’s level of responsibility for the accident can influence the settlement, with more fault leading to a higher amount.
Important Time Limits To Be Aware Of
You have a limited amount of time to file a personal injury claim after being injured in a train accident. This time limit is known as the statute of limitations and varies according to state law. Statute of limitation rules can get confusing. For example, an accident claim is usually covered by the laws of the state where the accident occurred and not the laws of your home state.
Virginia’s statute of limitations for filing most injury lawsuits is two years. Neighboring states have different time limits that may apply. For example, the time limit in Washington, D.C., is three years. In Maryland, the limit is also three years.
Evidence can get lost, disappear, or become harder to obtain over time, making it crucial to act within the legal timeframe. Our experienced Virginia railroad accident attorneys help by investigating and gathering evidence before it is lost and assisting you with filing your claim before it’s too late.
How Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers Can Help
Our train passenger injury lawyers are diligent legal professionals with extensive experience handling train accident cases. We negotiate with liable parties, gather evidence, and seek eyewitness accounts while you focus on your recovery.
Our team has two railroad investigators on staff to review accident sites and gather evidence to support your claim, and our skilled attorneys have the knowledge and expertise to take your case to court if needed.
Contact Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers Today for Your Free Legal Consultation
If you’ve been hurt in a railroad accident in Virginia or the surrounding areas, it’s important to contact our team of lawyers as soon as possible to protect your legal rights.
Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers will support you with compassion and exceptional service. We have a strong track record of securing excellent case results, recovering millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts for our clients. We also have the resources and experience needed to litigate your claim successfully.
Call (757) 333-3333 or contact us online for your free legal consultation.
Find Out What Your
Case is Worth
Testimonials
