Unlike car crashes, collisions involving freight trains, passenger rail, or light rail systems can involve multiple victims, catastrophic injuries, and complex liability questions. These cases typically require a deep understanding of both federal and state transportation law, as well as experience dealing with large rail operators and their insurers.
At Tronfeld West & Durrett, we’ve represented Virginians for over 50 years in high-stakes injury claims. Our legal team knows how to investigate train derailments, crossing accidents, onboard injuries, and rail worker cases with the urgency and attention they demand. Whether your case involves Amtrak, CSX, Norfolk Southern, or another rail operator, a personal injury lawyer in Virginia can help you understand your rights and pursue the full compensation you’re owed.
Why Choose Tronfeld, West & Durrett to Handle Your Train Accident Case?
Train accident cases are not like other personal injury claims. From federal regulations enforced by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) to state-specific rules around crossing safety, these claims demand precise legal knowledge and fast investigative action. Our firm brings decades of focused experience in these areas.
We’ve successfully handled cases involving multiple defendants, technical safety violations, and substantial long-term damages, and we know how to uncover the facts rail companies often try to bury.
We understand the federal and state laws that govern railroad liability, including the Federal Employers’ Liability Act (FELA) for injured workers, and how to use those laws strategically in negotiations or court. Unlike firms that assign your case to an assistant or case manager, our attorneys work directly with you, keeping you informed, answering questions, and building the strategy around your specific needs.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a train-related incident, a train accident lawyer is ready to help you move forward with your personal injury claim.
Common Causes of Train Accidents in Virginia
According to Operation Lifesaver’s state data, Virginia reported 19 vehicle-train collisions and 4 fatalities in 2023. Nationally, more than 2,100 rail-related incidents occur annually, with over 250 fatalities.
Notable incidents in Virginia include the Crozet Amtrak crash in 2018, where a train collided with a garbage truck at a crossing, resulting in one death and multiple injuries. These events often involve crossing design flaws, signal issues, or failure to follow operating procedures.
Your train accident lawyer works with transportation safety experts, examines maintenance and inspection logs, and analyzes data from event recorders (the train’s “black box”) to uncover the truth. Some of the most common causes we see include:
- Signal malfunctions and gate failures at crossings: When a train crossing lacks active warning systems or gates fail to lower properly, drivers and pedestrians may not have adequate time to react. These mechanical failures are often tied to poor maintenance or outdated infrastructure.
- Track defects, derailments, and equipment failure: Cracked rails, misaligned switches, or debris on the tracks can all contribute to derailments. Overloaded freight cars and aging locomotives are also frequently involved in mechanical failure cases.
- Human error by train operators: Operator fatigue, distracted driving, or a failure to follow proper signaling procedures have all been cited in previous Virginia train crashes. Even minor lapses in attention can result in major collisions.
- Negligent maintenance by contractors or rail companies: When third-party contractors handle maintenance, liability may extend beyond the rail company. Our investigations focus on finding all responsible parties, including subcontractors who fail to meet basic safety standards.
Train Accident Injuries We Commonly See
Train accidents deliver devastating impact forces that dwarf typical auto collisions – a fully loaded freight train striking a vehicle can generate over 1 million pounds of force. This extreme force, combined with the rigid steel construction of rail cars and lack of standard vehicle safety features like airbags, means victims often suffer catastrophic, life-altering injuries. Our firm frequently represents clients suffering from:
- Catastrophic and long-term injuries: These may include spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries (TBI), amputations, and severe burns, many of which require lifelong care and rehabilitation.
- Wrongful death: For surviving families, a train crash can result in the sudden and tragic loss of a loved one. In these cases, we pursue claims for funeral expenses, loss of income, and emotional loss under Virginia wrongful death law.
- Emotional and psychological trauma: Survivors often experience PTSD, anxiety, and long-term distress. In addition to physical injuries, we help our clients seek compensation for diminished quality of life and emotional suffering.
Who Can Be Held Liable in a Virginia Train Accident?
One of the most complex aspects of a train accident claim is determining who’s at fault. Liability may be shared among several parties, each with different legal responsibilities and insurance policies. Those potentially liable include:
- Railroad companies such as Amtrak, CSX, or Norfolk Southern
- Train operators or conductors who fail to follow proper protocols
- Maintenance contractors responsible for track or equipment upkeep
- Manufacturers of defective signals, brakes, or other rail systems
- Local or state agencies that neglect crossing safety or road design
- Third-party drivers who cause crashes at train crossings
Your train injury lawyer will thoroughly investigate every angle to ensure no responsible party avoids accountability under Virginia law.
What Compensation Can a Virginia Train Accident Attorney Recover?
Train accident claims often result in high-value settlements or verdicts due to the severity of injuries and long-term impact on victims. At Tronfeld West & Durrett, we fight to recover:
Economic damages
- Emergency care, hospital stays, surgeries, and rehab
- Future medical expenses and assistive devices
- Lost income and diminished earning capacity
- Property damage (vehicles, phones, or personal items)
Non-economic damages
- Pain and suffering
- Mental and emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life and mobility
Wrongful death damages
In fatal train accidents, we pursue wrongful death damages:
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Loss of financial support
- Loss of companionship, care, and guidance
Types of Train Accidents We Handle in Virginia
Our firm is equipped to handle all types of train accident cases, including:
- Train-to-car collisions at railroad crossings: These are among the most common types of incidents and may involve negligent drivers or malfunctioning signals.
- Train-to-passenger accidents: Sudden stops, onboard accidents, or derailments involving passengers on commercial rail services like Amtrak.
- Train-to-train collisions: Catastrophic incidents often caused by human error, miscommunication, or mechanical failure. These cases usually involve multiple victims and complex investigations.
- Railway worker injuries: Rail workers are protected under the Federal Employers’ Liability Act (FELA), which allows them to sue their employer for negligence.
Contact a Virginia Train Accident Lawyer Today
Rail companies and their insurers often respond quickly to train accidents, with lawyers, investigators, and PR teams on standby. You deserve the same level of advocacy and urgency.
Tronfeld West & Durrett has multiple offices across Virginia, and our train accident lawyers are ready to fight for you. We offer free consultations and only get paid if we recover compensation on your behalf.
Contact us today to schedule your case review with a dedicated train accident attorney.