Railroad Accidents Lawyers

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Every year there are railroad accidents in which hundreds of people are injured or killed. Although railroads have been around since the 19th century, safety continues to be a problem.

Common types of railroad accidents include:

• Train derailments
• Train/train collisions
• Train/car collisions
• Train/pedestrian collisions
• Rail crossing malfunctions

The Federal Railroad Administration(FRA) is part of the US Department of Transportation and responsible for railroad safety. The FRA helps enforce the laws that protect passengers, railroad employees, and the general public by ensuring railroad companies are using the highest standards of care possible. The FRA works to continuously improve these standards, but when the railroad companies fail to comply with the law, accidents are going to happen. Many railroad accidents occur because the railroad companies are trying to cut costs. When an accident occurs, the negligence of the company is shown. For those who suffer injuries and loss of property, or the families of those killed due to wrongdoing or negligence, there is a chance they may be able to get compensation.

For railroad employees, the Federal Employers’ Liability Act is in place. FELA was passed in 1908 in direct response to the large numbers of those who were injured and killed because of railroad accidents. It protects workers above what workers’ compensation can. They are more complicated than workers’ comp claims, and it must be proven that the railroad company was at fault when the railroad employee was injured.

For those who do not work for railroad companies, but have been injured or lost a loved one, the claims may be just as difficult as those railroad employees seeking compensation for their injury. Because railroad injuries are very complex, hiring an experienced railroad injury attorney can get you what you deserve. Railroad companies are not out to protect the individual and they have very deep pockets and company attorneys at their disposal. Many people may feel lost when confronting these giants who seem to have endless resources at their disposal.

If you are in need of a personal injury attorney to help you file a suit against the negligent parties in your railroad accident, please contact Stipe & Belote, LLP. We serve the Oklahoma City, Oklahoma area.