Are you struggling with painful injuries because of a recent train fire or explosion in Birmingham, Alabama? Whether the incident occurred on a passenger train, at a rail yard, or along a freight line, the aftermath can be life-changing. Singleton Schreiber’s Birmingham train fire and explosion attorneys are here to help you understand your rights and pursue justice from those responsible.
You may be entitled to compensation from a rail company, equipment manufacturer, or another negligent party whose carelessness led to the fire or explosion. Our experienced Birmingham personal injury attorneys can help you fight for every cent you need to cover your medical bills, offset a sudden loss of income, and cope with more personal pain and suffering.
Singleton Schreiber is a nationally renowned personal injury law firm dedicated to protecting the rights of the injured. As fearless advocates, we’ve successfully recovered more than $3 billion in settlements and jury verdicts for clients across the country. Now, our local Alabama litigators are ready to invest our law firm’s national resources into your Birmingham train fire or explosion case to get you top results, too.
Contact our law office in Birmingham to arrange a time for a free consultation. Members of our legal team are always standing by – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Common Causes of Train Fires and Explosions in Birmingham
Birmingham’s rail system serves both passenger and freight trains, including Amtrak’s Crescent line and multiple commercial carriers moving hazardous or flammable materials through the region. When safety protocols are ignored or equipment isn’t properly maintained, fires and explosions can erupt with devastating force.
Some of the most common causes of train fires and explosions include:
- Leaking fuel lines or ruptured fuel tanks
- Electrical short circuits or overheating engines
- Defective brakes or friction buildup causing sparks
- Improper storage or transport of explosive materials
- Mechanical failure in engines or generators
- Negligent maintenance or inspection of critical systems
- Failure to detect or respond to early fire warnings
- Collisions triggering secondary explosions
- Inadequate safety and fire suppression systems
In many cases, these disasters are entirely preventable. Negligence, poor oversight, and cost-cutting practices often put passengers, workers, and nearby residents at risk. Our Birmingham fire and explosion lawyers will conduct a thorough investigation to determine the cause and identify every liable party.
Injuries Caused by Train Fires and Explosions
Train fires and explosions are among the most catastrophic events that can occur on the rails. Survivors often suffer permanent physical and emotional trauma. At Singleton Schreiber, we help clients pursue full and fair compensation for injuries such as:
- Severe burn injuries
- Smoke inhalation and lung damage
- Blast-related trauma
- Disfigurement and scarring
- Spinal cord and brain injuries
- Amputations
- Crush injuries
- Broken bones
- Post-traumatic stress and emotional suffering
- Wrongful death of a loved one
Getting prompt medical care after a train fire or explosion is vital to protect both your health and your legal rights. Our attorneys can then begin building your case while you focus on healing.
What Compensation Can I Recover If I’ve Been Hurt in a Birmingham Train Fire or Explosion?
It’s not uncommon for victims of train fires and explosions to suffer serious and costly physical injuries, including burns, smoke inhalation, amputations, brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and crushing injuries.
You don’t have to navigate the costs and consequences of these injuries when someone else is to blame. In Alabama, you can file a personal injury lawsuit against a negligent train operator, Amtrak, a freight rail system, a negligent train operator, maintenance contractor, an equipment manufacturer, or another at-fault party to recover compensatory damages.
Compensatory damages include two different monetary awards: economic and non-economic.
Economic damages cover your objective financial losses related to:
- Present and future medical bills
- Temporary and/or permanent disability
- Lost wages, income, and job benefits
- Property damage
- Nursing assistance
- Out-of-pocket costs
- Rehabilitation and therapy
Non-economic damages acknowledge the more subjective suffering and pain you experience as a train fire or explosion victim, such as:
- Chronic physical pain
- Loss of consortium
- Reduced quality of life
- Emotional distress
- Pain and suffering
- Disfigurement
- Inconvenience
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
The more severely you’re injured in a train fire or explosion, the more your life is bound to change. In turn, the more compensation you might be able to recover in a settlement agreement or a jury award if your train fire or explosion lawsuit goes to trial.
The defense will stop at nothing to downplay your injuries and minimize your financial recovery. Hiring an experienced Alabama train fire and explosion attorney in Birmingham to handle your case can protect you from their tactics and help you leverage a top-dollar monetary award.
What Are My Rights If a Family Member is Killed in a Fatal Train Fire or Explosion in Birmingham?
Every year, train fires and explosions across the country lead to devastating loss of life. If you’ve lost someone you love in a fatal train fire or explosion in Birmingham, it’s important to know that you have rights. Through a wrongful death claim, you can demand accountability for your loved one’s tragic and premature death.
In Alabama, only punitive damages can be awarded in wrongful death claims. Punitive damages can be awarded when there’s clear and convincing evidence that a rail operator, maintenance company, or other defendant acted with conscious disregard for safety, leading to the fire or explosion.
When Do I Have to File a Train Fire or Explosion Lawsuit in Alabama?
The standard statute of limitations for train fire or explosion lawsuits in the state of Alabama is two years. The two-year time limit also applies to wrongful death claims, with the statute of limitations beginning to run on the date of the victim’s passing.
You generally lose the right to recover compensation if you miss the applicable filing deadline, so it’s important to act quickly.
Call Singleton Schreiber’s Birmingham Train Fire and Explosion Attorneys For a Free Consultation
Focus on recovering from your train fire or explosion and moving forward with your life, and leave the stress of a lawsuit to Singleton Schreiber. Our Birmingham train fire and explosion attorneys understand that you have one opportunity to get compensation, and we’re ready to help you make the most of it.
As skilled and respected legal advocates, we possess in-depth knowledge of the safety standards, inspection requirements, and federal regulations that apply to these cases. We bring years of collective experience to your train fire or explosion claim and offer the kind of resources that’ll be necessary to take on a powerful train service and win compensation.
We offer a free consultation so that you can learn about your legal rights and discover why working with our award-winning Birmingham personal injury lawyers is the best choice. Call our Birmingham law office to get started today.
