Washington & Oregon Train Accident Lawyers

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Railroad Accident Attorneys for Injured Passengers, Motorists, Pedestrians, Railroad Workers, and Families

Train accidents can cause devastating injuries in seconds. In Washington and Oregon, collisions involving passenger trains, freight trains, light rail systems, railroad crossings, derailments, or other railroad incidents can leave people facing serious injuries, overwhelming medical expenses, lost income, and uncertainty about what comes next.

When negligence contributes to a train accident, injured passengers, motorists, pedestrians, railroad workers, and families who have lost loved ones may have the right to pursue compensation.

Singleton Schreiber represents people and families affected by serious accidents. Our train accident lawyers investigate what happened, identify the parties that may be responsible, and help clients understand their legal options.

You should be focused on your recovery. We can focus on holding the responsible parties accountable.

What Types of Train Accidents Can Lead to an Injury Claim?

Train and railroad accidents can happen in many different ways. Some involve passengers aboard a train. Others happen at railroad crossings, stations, platforms, or along tracks where trains interact with vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists.

• Passenger train accidents
• Railroad crossing accidents
• Train and vehicle collisions
• Train and pedestrian accidents
• Train and bicycle accidents
• Train derailments
• Freight train accidents
• Light rail accidents
• Commuter rail accidents
• Station and platform accidents
• Railroad equipment failures
• Train-caused fires and wildfires
• Fatal train accidents and wrongful death

Determining how an accident occurred is an important part of determining who may be legally responsible.

Who Can Be Responsible for a Train Accident in Washington or Oregon?

Train accident cases can be more complicated than typical motor vehicle accident claims because multiple companies, agencies, contractors, manufacturers, and other parties may be involved.

Depending on how and where the accident occurred, responsibility may involve the railroad or train operator, a public transit agency, an equipment manufacturer, a maintenance contractor, a company responsible for railroad infrastructure, the owner or operator of another vehicle, or another party.

• Railroad companies and train operators: negligent operation, excessive speed, distracted operation, failure to follow safety procedures, or communication failures.
• Public transit agencies: unsafe operations, dangerous conditions aboard trains or at stations and platforms, or failures involving commuter rail or light rail systems.
• Equipment manufacturers: defective trains, mechanical components, signals, gates, warning systems, or other safety equipment.
• Maintenance contractors and railroad infrastructure companies: improperly maintained tracks, unsafe crossings, inadequate inspections, visibility hazards, or other infrastructure failures.
• Drivers and other road users: negligent vehicle operation or other unsafe conduct at a railroad crossing.

Investigating responsibility may require examining train speed, track conditions, crossing visibility, gates, warning lights, signals, maintenance records, the actions of operators and drivers, and the organizations responsible for operating and maintaining the system. Cases involving public transit agencies or other government entities may also be subject to different procedures, notice requirements, and deadlines than traditional personal injury claims.

Our attorneys investigate the circumstances surrounding an accident to determine what happened, preserve important evidence, and identify the parties that may be legally responsible.

Train Derailments and Common Train Accident Injuries

Train derailments and other railroad accidents can injure passengers, railroad employees, motorists, pedestrians, and people in nearby communities.

Train Derailments, Fires, and Hazardous Materials

Determining why a train left the tracks or why another serious railroad incident occurred may require a detailed investigation into track conditions, equipment, train operations, maintenance practices, safety procedures, and other factors.

When a derailment or other railroad incident involves hazardous materials, sparks, overheated equipment, or other ignition sources, the consequences can extend beyond the initial crash. Fires or wildfires may affect nearby communities and create additional injuries and losses.

Common Train Accident Injuries and Losses

Injuries and other losses may include:

• Traumatic brain injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Back and neck injuries
• Broken and fractured bones
• Crush injuries
• Burns and smoke inhalation
• Internal injuries
• Lacerations and scarring
• Amputation
• Paralysis
• Emotional trauma
• Permanent disability
• Hazardous material or smoke exposure
• Evacuation and displacement
• Property damage and other losses

Some injuries may require months or years of medical treatment and rehabilitation. Others can permanently change a person's ability to work, live independently, or enjoy the life they had before the accident.

Singleton Schreiber works to understand the full impact an accident has had on each client and has the resources to investigate complex cases involving railroad companies, corporations, public agencies, and other entities.

What Compensation May Be Available After a Train Accident?

There is no standard settlement amount for a train accident. Every case is different, and the compensation available depends on factors such as how the accident occurred, the severity of the injuries, the parties involved, and the long-term impact on the injured person.

• Medical expenses
• Future medical treatment
• Rehabilitation
• Lost wages
• Loss of future earning capacity
• Property damage
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Permanent disability or disfigurement
• Loss of enjoyment of life

In cases involving a fatal accident, eligible family members may also have the right to pursue a wrongful death claim.

A train accident attorney can evaluate the circumstances of the case and explain which forms of compensation may be available.

What Should You Do After a Train Accident?

The aftermath of a serious accident can be confusing. Your health and safety should come first.

1. Seek medical care.

Seek medical care as soon as possible, even if you initially believe your injuries are minor. Some injuries may not immediately produce noticeable symptoms.

2. Preserve information related to the accident.

When possible, you should also preserve information related to the accident. This can include photographs or video, witness contact information, medical records, transportation records, and communications with railroad companies, transit agencies, or insurers.

3. Avoid assumptions and early settlements.

Avoid making assumptions about who caused the accident or accepting a settlement before you understand the extent of your injuries and your legal options.

4. Speak with an attorney.

Evidence can disappear, memories can fade, and legal deadlines may apply. An attorney can help preserve evidence and protect your rights while you concentrate on recovering.

What If a Loved One Was Killed in a Train Accident?

Few losses are more devastating than losing a family member unexpectedly.

When a fatal train or railroad accident was caused by another party's negligence or wrongful conduct, surviving family members may have the right to bring a wrongful death claim.

Depending on the applicable law and circumstances, a claim may seek compensation related to funeral and burial expenses, lost financial support, medical expenses incurred before death, and the loss experienced by surviving family members.

No legal action can undo what happened. It can, however, provide a way to seek accountability and financial support for a family facing an uncertain future.

Singleton Schreiber approaches wrongful death cases with the compassion families deserve and the determination required to pursue those responsible.

Why Work With Singleton Schreiber?

Serious train accidents can involve large railroad companies, government entities, transit agencies, manufacturers, contractors, and their insurers. These organizations may have investigators and attorneys working immediately after an accident.

Having experienced legal counsel gives injured people someone focused on protecting their interests.

Singleton Schreiber is a client-centered litigation firm representing people who have suffered serious injuries and losses. The firm's Personal Injury practice combines national resources with local knowledge through offices across multiple states.

Our train accident attorneys work to:

• Investigate how the accident happened
• Preserve important evidence
• Identify potentially responsible parties
• Review railroad, transit, and safety records
• Work with qualified experts when necessary
• Calculate current and future damages
• Handle communications with insurers and responsible parties
• Negotiate for a fair resolution
• Prepare the case for trial when necessary

Most importantly, our clients remain at the center of the process. Singleton Schreiber's mission is to achieve justice for each client while improving lives and communities, supported by the firm's values of fearlessness, excellence, and collaboration.

FEARLESS ADVOCACY.

Talk to a Washington or Oregon Train Accident Lawyer

Recovering from a serious train accident can mean dealing with medical treatment, missed work, insurance companies, and questions about what comes next.

You do not have to navigate those questions alone.

Singleton Schreiber's train accident attorneys can review what happened in Washington or Oregon, explain your options, and determine whether you may have a claim against the railroad, transit agency, corporation, or other responsible party.

Contact Singleton Schreiber today to schedule a free case evaluation. There is no cost to get started, and if we don't win, you don't pay.

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Contact Singleton Schreiber today to schedule a free case evaluation. There is no cost to get started, and if we don't win, you don't pay.