Railroad accidents can be devastating. From severe injury to lifelong complications and even death, an injury aboard a train can easily result in thousands of dollars in medical expenses and disability accommodations, months of missed wages, and emotional turmoil.
In these situations, you need an attorney who will aggressively advocate for your right to compensation. At Hilley & Frieder, P.C., our Atlanta railroad accident attorneys will work tirelessly to identify the cause of your railroad accident and hold the at-fault entity accountable for your damages. Call us today for a free consultation.
When we board a train, we trust that the company and employees in charge will uphold their duty to maintain a safe trip. Unfortunately, many acts of negligence on the part of conductors, engineers, and even a third-party manufacturer contribute to railroad injuries each year.
Some common causes of railroad accidents include the following:
Understanding the cause of your injury is the first step to collecting the compensation you deserve. You can name multiple at-fault entities in a railroad accident lawsuit, including the company operating the train, a third-party manufacturer, or even a government agency.
In Georgia, you have the right to collect compensation for the damages you sustained in a railroad accident. These damages can include your economic out-of-pocket losses, as well as your intangible non-economic damages.
Economic damages include your past and future medical expenses, including surgeries, medications, physical therapy, and disability accommodations. You may also claim compensation for any lost wages and property damage you sustained as a result of the accident, including the loss of future earnings if your injury prevents you from returning to work.
Non-economic damages, on the other hand, involve your physical and mental pain and suffering. As a result, these damages can be difficult to quantify. Your railroad injury lawyer will advise you on the estimated amount of non-economic damages you can claim, which may include the following.
In rare instances, you may also qualify for punitive damages. The purpose of these damages is to punish the at-fault party, rather than compensate you for your losses. To receive punitive damages, the at-fault party in your case must display willful misconduct, fraud, malice, wantonness, oppression, or a conscientious disregard for consequences.
For example, if one of the engineers was drunk at the time of the railroad accident and his or her negligence caused your train to derail, the court may consider this willful misconduct and award you with punitive damages.
Are you the victim of a railroad accident in Georgia? Whether you were a passenger or motorist, the accident attorneys at Hilley & Frieder, P.C. can represent your claim. We will guide you through each step of the process so you can focus on your recovery, not complex litigation.
Contact our firm today to schedule your free consultation with one of our railroad accident lawyers.
