If you have been injured in a Phoenix Metro Light Rail accident, contact one of our experienced Phoenix Light Rail Accident Lawyers for a free consultation.
Looking for a Phoenix Light Rail Lawyer?
Our Phoenix light rail accident lawyers can help you obtain compensation for light rail injuries. While most people think that traveling by train or rail is safe than other forms of transportation, there are more accidents than we would like to think. When accidents occur, then can be particularly devastating.
The Phoenix Metro Light Rail includes 50 trains. Each train is:
- 90 feet long
- Weighs 100,000 pounds
- Makes 225 trips per day
- Intersects 148 intersections
Light rail trains are very quiet, and they travel at the speed limit posted for the particular street. The amount of track in Phoenix is three times the amount of track in Houston.
These factors create the potential for crashes. Because the trains are so large, light rail accidents can be particularly serious and even deadly.
If you or a loved one suffered injuries or property damage in a light rail accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your losses. A knowledgeable light rail accident lawyer can determine if you have a good case and help you maximize your recovery from those responsible for those losses.
Reasons for Light Rail Accidents and Injuries
There are many possible reasons for a light rail accidents. For example:
- Operator inattention
- Operator distraction
- Excessive speed
- Operator mistake
- Operator fatigue
- Lack of adequate operator training
- Equipment breakdowns
- Improper or poor maintenance or trains, stations or waiting areas
- Defective or faulty equipment
- Dangerous intersections
- Lack of clear warnings, signage or intersection markings
- Derailments
- And more
Many light rail accidents involve crashes between the train and a pedestrian or a vehicle such as a car, truck, bus, motorcycle or bicycle. But other types of accidents can also occur. For example, a light rail train can crash into another train. A train can stop unexpectedly causing passengers to fall and get hurt. Riders may be injured while boarding or exiting a train, or while waiting for a train (for example, if there is insufficient security). Passengers may be injured while crossing tracks to a bus stop or sidewalk. Bicyclists can get their tires caught on the tracks.
With over 40,000 riders per day, Metro light rail officials have an obligation to protect the safety of its riders. If you have been injured as a result of their failure to uphold proper safety standards, a light rail accident attorney can determine if you have a valid light rail claim or lawsuit.
Why You Need a Light Rail Accident Lawyer
Light rail accidents are different than other accidents. The large size and heavy weight of the trains means it takes them more time to stop. When crashes occur, they are more likely to result in serious or catastrophic injuries.
The process of investigating a light rail collision can be very complex. An experienced light rail accident lawyer can help you with this process.
We can analyze the liability aspects of your case. Experts may need to be hired to inspect the train, analyze the evidence and reconstruct the accident. It will be necessary to determine who was responsible for the crash. For example, it could be the train operator, light rail management, the manufacturer of a train component, or somebody else. Several parties may be responsible for causing an accident.
We can also investigate the damages you are entitled to recover. Light rail crashes can do considerable damage to both people and property. You may be entitled to medical bills, future medical costs, lost wages, future lost wages or impairment of earnings, property damages and pain and suffering. If you have lost a close family member in a light rail accident, you may be entitled to wrongful death damages.
Immediate action is critical in light rail cases.
The time frame for making a light rail accident claim is much shorter than other lawsuits because the claim is against a governmental entity. The process of making a claim is also different. A formal notice of claim must be filed with the governmental entity within 180 days after the accident as a prerequisite for later filing a lawsuit. If these requirements are not strictly followed, the claim will be lost forever.
It may be also necessary to take fast action to preserve important evidence that will be required to prove liability.
It is therefore very important to hire an experienced attorney to assist you with your light rail lawsuit. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation with one of our Phoenix light rail accident lawyers.
