Railroad accidents can have devastating consequences for victims and their families. As a result, it is critical for victims and families to make sure they seek the financial compensation they deserve.
Hiring an experienced lawyer is the first step in the process.
There are many important reasons to put an experienced lawyer on your side in this scenario. If you have, or think you may have, a railroad injury claim, here are just some of the ways an experienced lawyer will be able to help:
After a serious railroad accident, it is important to promptly investigate the accident with your best interests in mind. While the railroad company – or its insurance company – may investigate, it will do so with a focus on mitigating any potential liability.
Once you hire a lawyer to represent you, your lawyer will be able to send an investigator to the scene to preserve any forensic evidence that is available. Your lawyer may seek to gather evidence of liability through various other means as well. Once your lawyer has the evidence he or she needs, then your lawyer will be able to begin the process of fighting for just compensation on your behalf.
While the railroad company may be liable for your or your loved one’s accident, you could potentially have a variety of other claims as well. Multiple parties can potentially be held liable for serious and fatal railroad accidents depending on the circumstances involved.
The steps you need to take to file a claim also depend on whether you or your loved one worked for the railroad at the time of the crash. If so, your claim may be governed by the Federal Employers’ Liability Act (FELA), and FELA claims are subject to special rules and requirements.
Along with documenting liability for the accident, filing a successful claim will also involve documenting the losses you are entitled to recover. Your lawyer can assist with making sure you have all of the documentation you need. This includes documentation of your present and future:
If you have a railroad injury claim, you may be entitled to compensation for your non-financial losses resulting from the accident as well. Determining what constitutes “just compensation” for these losses is a complex process that requires experienced legal representation. Your lawyer can help ensure that you are seeking the full compensation you deserve for your:
If you have a railroad injury claim, recovering the financial compensation you deserve will most likely involve dealing with the insurance companies. This is not an easy process. The insurance companies will be working hard to pay you as little as possible, if they pay you anything at all. As a result, it will be important for you to have an experienced lawyer who knows how to deal with the insurance companies effectively and make sure you don’t settle for less than you deserve.
If the insurance companies refuse to accept responsibility for what happened, seeking the compensation you deserve may involve going to court. If going to court is your best option under the circumstances at hand, you will need an experienced lawyer who is intimately familiar with the facts of your case and who is prepared to fight for your legal rights at trial.
In this scenario, hiring a lawyer to help you costs nothing out of pocket. Most lawyers who handle railroad injury claims represent their clients on a contingency-fee basis. This means that you can schedule a free consultation to learn about your legal rights; and, if you decide to take legal action, you will only incur legal fees if your case is successful.
If you were injured in a railroad accident or lost a loved one in a fatal railroad crash, it is important to understand your legal rights as soon as possible. Critical evidence can disappear, deadlines may apply, and the decisions you make now could affect your ability to recover the compensation you deserve.
At Coplan + Crane, our attorneys can evaluate your case, explain your options, and help you determine the best path forward. Your consultation is completely free, confidential, and comes with no obligation to move forward.
Contact Coplan + Crane today online or at (312) 982-0588 for a FREE case evaluation. We help clients across Illinois, including Chicago, Oak Park, Rockford, and other areas.
