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Metrolink is one of Southern California’s best ways to get around. It provides a convenient method of transportation that takes the guesswork out of the daily commute. Yet, even though these train services are an extremely beneficial resource for their riders, they can still result in horrific and tragic accidents.
Due to their sheer size, speed, and logistics, the outcome of a train crash can be devastating, leading to debilitating injuries, astronomical medical expenses, and lives that are forever changed.
At Gomez Trial Attorneys, we know how difficult this time can be for a train accident victim and their family. We understand that these individuals are not only fighting a battle to regain a sense of normalcy – physically and emotionally, but they are also trying to overcome the financial burdens that now plague their life. Fortunately, our lawyers are here to help by fighting for the justice and compensation these victims deserve.
Attorney John Gomez, an 11-time recipient of San Diego’s Outstanding Trial Lawyer Award, founded Gomez Trial Attorneys in 2005 to hold wrongdoers responsible for their conduct while making the world a better place through litigation. Today, Gomez Trial Attorneys handles some of California’s most prominent injury cases, including the American Beauty murder case, as well as the runaway Lexus case that killed CHP Officer Mark Saylor and his family.
Over the past 15 years, our firm has collected over $750 million in settlements and verdicts, with some jury verdicts of more than $1 million, $10 million, and even $100 million. Due to our firm’s resources, experience, and track record, we have the ability to take on your case and go after the results you want.
Yes, train accidents can be quite deadly, but:
Amtrak is used primarily for intercity travel in California. Several commuter train agencies run the state, including Metrolink.
Riverside County contains three main Metrolink lines, including:
Train accidents can happen for numerous reasons.
However, these rail crashes usually result from the following causes:
It is often difficult to pinpoint precisely the cause of a train accident and usually requires a thorough investigation. That is why it is vital to work with experienced Riverside train accident lawyers who can figure out what happened and who was at fault for your injuries.
In California, a train is a common carrier, which means that it is an entity that carries property or individuals from one location to the next. Consequently, these commuter trains have a duty to use the highest degree of care and diligence to keep their passengers safe. When they do not, people can get hurt. However, individuals other than the train operator can also cause a Riverside train accident.
Typically, these potential at-fault parties include:
As an employee of a railroad company, workers’ compensation does not cover you as it does other California workers. Instead, the Federal Employers Liability Act protects injured railroad workers.
If an injured railroad worker wants to file a lawsuit under FELA, they need to show proof that the railroad was negligent and this negligence caused their harm.
Usually, a railroad can be found liable for their worker’s injuries if:
Train accidents can be extremely devastating, resulting in debilitating injuries and life-long pain and suffering.
Typically, these serious injuries include:
Victims that endure one of these serious injuries may have to experience a lifetime of medical treatments and expensive medical intervention—often resulting in significant medical expenses that will continue to pile up. That is why if you have suffered harm because of a Riverside train accident, you need to contact Gomez Trial Attorneys and allow our lawyers to fight for the compensation you need to get you through this challenging time.
If you were injured in a Riverside train accident, you may seek compensation for the harm you endured. This compensation includes economic, non-economic, and punitive damages.
Economic damages: These damages are actual verifiable monetary losses that occur because of the accident.
They include:
Non-economic damages: These subjective losses are not easily quantifiable.
These damages include:
Punitive damages: Unlike the other damages, which compensate the victim for their losses, punitive damages punish the wrongdoer for their egregious actions and deter them from committing the action again in the future. Yet, before a victim can go after these damages, they need to show with clear and convincing evidence that the defendant acted with fraud, oppression, or malice.
If your loved one passed away in a Riverside train accident, you can file a claim under the California wrongful death statute.
This law allows family members of the deceased to collect compensation for their wrongful death, including:
A train accident can result in a chaotic and overwhelming scene for everyone involved. However, it is crucial to understand that the actions and statements you make following this crash can impact not only your safety, your legal rights, but ultimately, the outcome of your claim.
That is why, following a Riverside train accident, you must take the following steps:
Under California’s statute of limitations law, an individual has two years to file a personal injury lawsuit and three years to file a claim for property damages. However, if the case involves a public entity, the time to file a personal injury suit decreases to six months. Other exceptions can increase or decrease the amount of time you have to file. Because of these unique legal complexities, you need to work with skilled train accident lawyers like those at Gomez Trial Attorneys. Our lawyers can go over your case, figure out how much time you have to file your claim, and ensure that your lawsuit is filed correctly and on time.
In addition, just because you have a few years to file a claim does not mean you should wait that long. Quite often, the longer you wait, the higher the likelihood is of evidence disappearing, memories of the accident fading, and witnesses no longer being available to testify.
Train accident claims are extremely complicated, tedious, and confusing. Along with the serious injuries that can occur, victims often face numerous legal issues, including figuring out who was at fault, proving liability, and figuring out the types of damages you can recover. For these reasons, it is essential that, as a victim of this horrific crash, you work with the experienced Riverside train accident lawyers at Gomez Trial Attorneys. Our lawyers can take over these legal proceedings and provide you the answers you need.
However, to get you started on this process and offer you some clarity regarding Riverside Train accidents, we have prepared the following Frequently Asked Questions.
Train crashes can happen for numerous reasons. Yet, sometimes these accidents can be avoided altogether, especially with some proactive actions.
Yes, you can still bring an injury claim. But, to do so, you need to show:
When you work with Gomez Trial Attorneys following your Riverside train accident, our lawyers can investigate your crash, figure out what happened, discover who was responsible for your injuries, and let you know if you have a viable claim.
No.
When you are injured in a train accident, it will not take long before the insurance company starts calling. However, what many individuals get wrong in this situation is they believe that these adjusters want to work with them and help get them the compensation they need following their horrific crash.
As a business, the insurance company wants to make money. When they pay you out less than you deserve or deny your claims altogether, they profit. That is why these adjusters will try any tactic they can to get you to admit fault for the accident or figure out ways to reduce the amount of your claim. For these reasons, it is in your best interest to leave these discussions to Gomez Trial Attorneys. Our lawyers can take over these talks and ensure we fight for the compensation that is fair to you.
Train accidents can get quite a bit of attention. These accidents are often rather deadly and result in significant damages. This can lead to the press wanting to show the public what happened. As a result, the insurance company will try to jump in quickly to make this problem go away by offering you a low-ball settlement amount in hopes that you will take this money and they can close this issue promptly.
However, you need to remember that you cannot go back for more once you accept a settlement offer. For these reasons, our legal team recommends that you wait to accept any offer until you finish your medical treatments and have a better understanding of the medical care you may need in the future.
When our legal team gets involved with your case, we can ensure that the settlement offer you receive is fair to you and your needs. If it is not, we can take over the negotiations with the insurance company and prevent these unfair insurance tactics from trying to get you to settle for less than you deserve.
According to the United States Department of Transportation, more than 5,800 train-motor vehicle collisions take place every year in the United States on average, with the majority of them occurring at railroad crossings. This location is often a hotspot for train crashes because drivers believe that they can beat the train and try to race across the tracks in hopes of making it in time. Unfortunately, due to a train’s speed, these motorists often do not make it.
When you meet with your attorney for the first time, bring any documents that can provide valuable evidence regarding your case.
This can include:
With this information, your attorney can have a better idea of what happened, and it may make it easier for them to determine if you have a viable claim. However, if you do not have many pieces of evidence, do not worry. Gomez Trial Attorneys can obtain most of this evidence when they start an investigation into your case.
A wrongful death claim can arise in California when an individual dies due to another person’s or entity’s negligence or wrongful acts. This wrongful death claim is a lawsuit brought by the deceased individual’s survivors or the deceased’s estate’s personal representative. In these cases, fault results in monetary damages, which a court may order the defendant to pay to the deceased’s survivors.
Consequently, if a Riverside train accident victim died because of their injuries and these injuries resulted from the train crash, then the victim’s survivors, such as their spouse, children, or domestic partner, can pursue a wrongful death suit against the at-fault party and fight for damages including funeral costs, burial expenses, and lost potential income.
When you work with our firm, we can review your case, go over these wrongful death claim laws, and figure out if you are owed any compensation for your loved one’s passing.
Unfortunately, no attorney can tell you an exact amount you can collect following your train accident. In truth, because each case is different, the amount you can receive will depend on several factors, including:
These factors are not all-encompassing, and there are many more details that can affect your claim’s value. However, when you work with our firm, we can review all the potential factors that can influence your case and figure out how to fight for maximum compensation.
There are a lot of moving parts when it comes to a train accident case. These claims require extensive evidence showing liability and damages, a good understanding of the state’s laws, and sound arguments. Fortunately, with Gomez Trial Attorneys, you do not have to tackle these legal complexities yourself.
Once retained, our law firm can:
If you or a loved one were injured in a Riverside train accident, do not wait any longer. Contact Gomez Trial Attorneys today at 866-TRIAL LAW (866 874-2552) and let our lawyers fight for you and your rights.
Gomez Trial Attorneys
11840 Pierce Street STE 200
Riverside, CA 92505
(619) 237.3490
No Fees Unless We Recover Money On Your Behalf