Have You Been Injured In A South Carolina Train Accident?
South Carolina has a rich locomotive history, originally boasting more than 4,000 miles of train tracks at the beginning of the century. Although today South Carolina’s forms of transportation have expanded, it still has nearly 2,500 miles of functioning railway tracks. And, while traveling by train is actually one of the safest forms of transportation, many South Carolina residents have learned the hard way that this safety does not extend to pedestrians and other drivers. There are reportedly 2,216 fatalities and deaths caused by railway accidents each year in the United States, and 60 of those are in South Carolina. Although this may seem like a relatively small number compared to those killed in car accidents, train accidents stand apart, as the damage is generally catastrophic and the injuries often prove fatal or serious and life long. If you or a loved one have suffered serious harm as a result of a train accident in South Carolina, you are not alone. An experienced Charleston personal injury lawyer can help you to navigate this process, determine what your options are, and cultivate a strong path forward. The information in this article is intended to be general. However, if you would like personalized feedback based on your individual case, you are encouraged to contact Charleston’s Gus Anastopoulo Law Firm to schedule a consultation.
Can I Sue for a Train Accident?
As operators of mass transit systems, railroad companies and train operators are considered common carriers and are held to an extraordinarily high standard of care. Whereas regular motorists are held to a standard of reasonable care, common carriers must exercise the “utmost caution, characteristic of a very careful person.” If the railroad company deviates from this high standard of care or fails to meet it, then they can be sued and held liable for any harm that directly results from their breach. For instance, if they do not properly maintain the train and it results in a derailment, they are then liable for any harm or damages suffered by anyone in the derailment. The key component is establishing that the train company or its employees were negligent and that that negligence was the cause of your injury. It’s important to note that if train company employees acted negligently, then the train company may be held liable for their negligent actions under the theory of respondeat superior. If you are unsure whether you can sue for your railway-related injury, the best thing that you can do is talk to a South Carolina personal injury attorney as soon as possible. In South Carolina, you only have 3 years to bring a personal injury lawsuit for a train accident, so it’s best to take action sooner rather than later.
Talk to a Charleston Personal Injury Lawyer
If you or a loved one have been injured in a train accident, the Gus Anastopoulo Law Firm is ready to help. Contact Charleston personal injury attorney Gus Anastopoulo today to schedule a consultation and find out how he will fight to make sure that your rights are protected and that you can get the maximum amount of compensation that you are entitled to.
