Train Accidents: What to Do When it Happens to You?

Trains as an effective mode of transport

Trains have to be the most efficient form of public transport. Carrying hundreds of people all at the same time, trains do not have to deal with traffic jams and only stops on designated stations. Trains are ideal for travelling long distances as you don’t have to drive for long hours just to get to your destinations. That is the reason why people prefer to ride the train for long distance travels.

Train safety

With trains running on tracks, you will normally think that it is relatively accident-free. Well you better think again. In 2011, 1,994 train accidents happened that caused injuries to some 1,955 individuals, and killed 6 people. While these trains are rather stable and sturdy, there are times when accidents still happen.

What causes train accidents?

There are different reasons why these accidents happen. There are times when the coaches and railroad tracks are poorly maintained. The poor maintenance can cause the trains to suddenly stop working. The coaches may also suffer from a coach that suddenly got a mechanical failure; therefore affecting the overall performance of the train. Human error by the train operator and poor weather conditions also contribute to train accidents.

What should you do when train accidents happen?

There is basically nothing that you can do to avoid train accidents as you don’t really have control over the train (unless you’re the operator of the train, of course). What you should keep in mind though is what you should do when accidents happen.

More than getting first aid for the injuries you might get from the accident, you should obtain a copy of the medical records when you are being treated for the injuries you sustained. You can you should make sure that you document everything about the accident.

Zaccaglin’s Case: An Insight into the Legalities of Slip and Fall Injuries

 

Accidents happen unexpectedly; however if such incident is caused by another person’s negligence, it is justifiable for him or her to take responsibility for the damages that the unfortunate event has brought. These meant that the liable party should pay compensation for the accident victim.

Take for instance the case of Anthony Zaccaglin. He won $7.5 million after a slip and fall accident. According to news reports, the Superior Court jury in Vista, California ordered Starbucks to pay Zaccaglin and his family such amount of compensation after a slip and fall accident left him with a brain injury.

The court records indicated that such amount was granted to compensate for the losses of Zaccaglin. His losses included income, medical expenses and loss of enjoyment of life. According to the victims’ attorney, Zaccaglin was picking up his order in 2008 at a Starbucks branch. There, the victim slipped on a recently mopped area, causing his head to hit the floor. 

Witnesses attested that they only saw one warning cone on the mopped area. It therefore placed the liability towards the Starbucks employee and its store manager. It was also revealed that Zaccaglin went to a physician with constant head pain, nausea and other symptoms.