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Passenger in Train Accident Claims

Train accidents often leave victims with serious injuries. When you consider the sheer size and weight of the train carriages, it leaves no doubt that a person could potentially become paralysed or even lose a limb. Disaster train scenes in movies can demonstrate how awful it can be for the passengers and those close by.

Reasons For Needing An Injury Solicitor

Train Accidents In UK

Fortunately, major train disasters are uncommon in the UK, although minor injuries do occur on and off the train for various reasons. Some of the more frequent incidents are as follows:

Insecure luggage landing on a person

Hand caught in malfunctioning door

Slips and trips from spilt fluids or debris

Burns or scalds from the spillage of hot drinks

Slippery surfaces on the platform

Jolts caused by driver error, inadequately maintained tracks and equipment or mechanical failure

Can Mobile Devices Cause An Accident?

Is Train Travel Safe?

Train travel is a safe way to travel according to statistics. A person is estimated to be 7 times more likely to die in a car than a train. However, it does not mean that a train passenger is completely safe. Accidents do happen and whether you are injured on the platform, the train station or in a carriage, you can submit a train accident claim as long as it was not your fault.

Train accidents, comparable to plane crashes, get a lot of media attention because they do not happen so often.

Is the Train Company Accountable?

There is a duty of care imposed on train companies to safeguard those that use their transportation service. They must ensure that passengers are kept safe from any harm. This standard of reasonable care covers a traveller when they enter a railway station until they leave after their journey. So whatever happens in the areas which the train companies are responsible for, will hold them liable.

How Can A Passenger Be Injured?

A train commuter is not always injured in a train crash. There are other ways that a victim can be harmed, whether on the train, the platform or the station.

1. In the Train Car

The train carriage can have many places where an injury can occur. Malfunctioning doors, damaged seating, sharp objects and defective guards can cause cuts or even severely damage limbs. These items must be inspected on a daily basis.

2. On the Flooring

Spillages can cause slips and trips which can end in broken bones. Paving slabs that are uneven can cause commuters to fall as well as hazardous rubbish that people can slip on. A cleaning regime should be implemented to prevent such dangers.

3. Food and Drink

Hot food and drinks are often served in the buffet car. Great care must be taken in transporting hot items as a moving train can easily cause splashes and tumbles which can burn or scald the person it lands on. Sickness can occur from food poisoning if there is failure in correct food handling and storage.

4. Luggage

Where luggage is not securely stored, it can become loose and move. Depending on where it is placed, there is a risk of the heavy baggage landing on a person and causing serious injury.

5. Railtracks

Derailment, where a train comes off the tracks, can cause damage and injury as the cars are shaken and bumped. The higher the speed of the train, the worse the injuries can be. People are known to have had brain damage, spinal injuries and some have died. The reason for derailment can vary from driver error to incorrect signal lights.

Not Sure Who Is Responsible?

Expert Train Accident Specialists

When a train accident does happen to you, you may have no or little idea of who to hold responsible for the possible negligence that caused your injury. Whether it is the train company or the driver, our transport specialist solicitors can advise you and begin a compensation claim for you.

What Should I Do After A Train Accident?

1. In the unfortunate case where you have sustained a personal injury as a train passenger or commuter, a report must be logged at the train station. This will be used as written evidence in the courts. Make a note of other passengers if they were injured, and get the details of any witnesses where possible. This will help to strengthen your case if liability is disputed. A useful piece of evidence is a photograph of the accident scene, so take a picture if you can.

2. Seek medical attention. It is important to see a doctor or attend the hospital for any injuries, even if it is minor. There is a chance that you may have an unseen issue caused by the earlier trauma which only a medical professional can discover. A medical report is also issued on behalf of the solicitor to validate your injury claim, which means that you will need to instruct a solicitor.

3. As stated before, get in touch with an expert lawyer who then can get all the necessary documents needed to win the compensation claim. Train companies are often huge businesses with their own legal team to counteract any claims against them. You will need an experienced legal representative to present a strong accident case that is sure to succeed.

Click If You Have Been Injured In An Ordinary Car

Train Specialist Solicitors for Passengers

With our No Win No Fee arrangement for personal injury claims, you have no fees to pay. Our transport specialist lawyers will fight your corner and get you your entitlement that you deserve. Get in touch to begin your right to a compensation payout.

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