Common Injuries Sustained in a Train Accident

Injuries from train accidents can range in severity from mild scratches and bruises, which can heal in a short period, to long-term catastrophic injuries that may require expensive medical care. Add to this the funds you may lose out on from missing work while you recover, the results from a serious train crash could leave you and your family in a difficult financial situation. Discussing your train accident claim with a knowledgeable attorney may be in your best interests. 

The experienced attorneys at the law firm of Frankl Kominsky Injury Lawyers, help educate accident victims about their legal options to seek compensation to help pay for medical bills, lost wages, loss of future wages, pain and suffering, loss of consortium, and more. Our dedicated attorneys know what it takes to help victims through the legal process following a train crash. We never settle for less when it comes to protecting the rights of our clients. 

Our firm has over 40 years of combined legal experience, so we have seen our fair share of train accident injury cases. Read on to find out about some of the more common types of injuries we have observed over the years and some of the physical, psychological, and emotional effects they tend to have on injury victims.

Injuries Often Sustained in a Train Crash

When a train crashes, even a slight collision can cause major damage, simply because of the train’s massive weight and size. Although injuries from a train accident may vary widely, some of the more common are:

• Psychological damage – Besides sustaining physical injuries, train accident victims often suffer from serious psychological issues such as depression, insomnia, fear, anxiety, and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Victims who experience catastrophic injuries such as paralysis, an amputation, physical scarring and/or disfigurement, may become extremely vulnerable to severe depression, emotional trauma, and pain and suffering.   
• Whiplash – When a train stops abruptly after traveling at a high rate of speed, passengers aboard and drivers of other vehicles often suffer from whiplash after an accident. This is caused by the rapid and extreme movement of the head, which can result in nerve damage in the neck and around the top of the spinal cord. Sometimes whiplash can take several days or weeks before you begin feeling symptoms, which is why you should see a doctor immediately after being involved in a train crash.   
• Fractures/broken bones – Although broken bones and fractures may heal in due time, many victims often need expensive physical therapy and rehabilitation treatment, which may not be covered by insurance. The same is also true for sprained/strained ligaments or joints. Although you may have a similar injury as someone else, it does not mean you will recover in the same amount of time. You may need to file a personal injury claim with the help of a qualified lawyer who has experience handling train accidents in the Boca Raton area (by appointment only). 
• Internal organ damage – Sometimes train crashes can cause passengers to get crushed, which can result in serious damage to internal organs and soft-tissues. Internal bleeding, ruptured spleens, and punctured lungs are all common examples that may result from a crush injury. If left untreated, these injuries may end up becoming deadly.
• Concussions – When the brain moves inside the skull due to a sudden jolt or blow to the head it could cause train accident victims to suffer from what is referred to as a concussion. This type of injury can range from mild to severe and could result in temporary or permanent brain damage. Serious cases could leave victims in an unconscious state, otherwise known as a coma. 
• Traumatic brain injuries – Often associated with a concussion, a traumatic brain injury (TBI) can affect the way your brain and central nervous system works for years to come. Loss of motor skills, mobility issues and memory loss are all possible after sustaining a serious TBI. Victims who suffer from this type of injury are often subjected to expensive long-term medical treatment and rehabilitation.  
• Spinal cord injuries – Serious train accidents have been known to cause severe spinal cord damage, which may leave victims temporarily or permanently confined to using a wheelchair to get around. This type of injury involves damage to the spine or nerves and often comes with long-term complications that may include a significant reduction of physical strength, loss of sensation in certain body parts or the entire body, and loss of bladder control. 

 

While these are the most common types of injuries that may result from a train accident, serious crashes could cause catastrophic damage such as paralysis, dismemberment, and even death. Catastrophic injuries have been known to cause severe emotional and financial stress for victims and their families, especially if they can no longer return to work. 

 

If you lost a loved one in a train crash, you may need to file a wrongful death claim to hold at-fault parties liable for your loss. If your claim is valid, surviving family members could recover funds for funeral and burial costs, loss of future income, pain and suffering, and loss of companionship. 

 

Seek Legal Assistance Before Settling for Less

 

It is important to seek legal assistance before settling your train accident claim. Insurance companies are known for giving “low-ball” offers to quickly settle a claim for less than its value. A good attorney will know how to accurately determine your damages and help you pursue compensation for past, present, and future costs associated with the crash. 

 

At the law firm of Frankl Kominsky Injury Lawyers, we never settle for less when we work on train accident claims. We aim to protect the legal rights of our clients by holding at-fault parties accountable for injuries and other financial losses. 

 

Our award-winning attorneys have ample experience helping injury victims pursue the compensation they need to have a healthy recovery. We offer a free initial evaluation to discuss your claim with no further obligations. 

Schedule a no-cost review by calling Frank & Kominsky at (561) 800-8000 or fill out a free online form.