Railroad Accident Attorney

Serving West Virginia and Ohio, including Parkersburg, Charleston, Morgantown, Huntington, Wheeling, Belpre, and Athens

Even though train travel has decreased in recent decades, there are still numerous railroad accidents which cause severe injuries. Amtrak is the primary passenger train service and transports about 60,000 people each day. The West Virginia and Ohio railroad accident attorneys at Jan Dils & Jim Leach, Attorneys at Law have helped many train accident victims receive the compensation they deserve. We put great emphasis on giving personal attention to each of our clients, listening carefully to the circumstances of each accident, and gathering information to build a strong case.

The Federal Employer's Liability Act (FELA)

Train passengers are not the only people injured in railroad accidents. Often, railroad workers are injured as well. FELA was enacted in 1908 by Congress to give benefits to railroad workers who are hurt on the job. Benefits are based on the principles of fault, unlike state Workers’ Compensation laws, which distribute benefits on a no-fault basis.

There are three main requirements an injured railroad employee must establish under FELA:

• The accident must have happened during the course of the worker's employment
• The railroad must be involved with interstate commerce with two or more states
• The railroad must have caused or contributed to the worker's injuries

Types of Railroad Accidents

Common railroad accidents include:

• Railroad crossing accidents - These occur when a train collides with a vehicle on the crossing or hits a pedestrian.
• Derailments - Both cross-country trains and subway trains are occasionally subject to this type of accident, which results in serious personal injuries. The tracks need adequate maintenance, especially if they are exposed to rain and snow.
• Falls on to the train tracks - Sometimes a person tries to get off a moving train but falls and is hurt either by the fall or by the train. These accidents are often fatal.
• Two-Train Collisions - These accidents often occur if signaling is defective or communications are poor, resulting in two trains on the same track. These accidents can involve freight trains as well as passenger trains.

If you have been hurt in any type of railroad accident and feel that somebody else's negligence is to blame, our lawyers can help you receive the compensation necessary to cover all damages incurred in the incident.

For additional information, please read our Railroad Accident Questions page.

Please contact our West Virginia and Ohio railroad accident lawyers today to schedule your free initial consultation. We represent train accident victims throughout West Virginia and Southern Ohio including the communities of Belpre, Parkersburg, Wheeling, Athens, Morgantown, Charleston, and Huntington.