Train Accidents Questions & Answers
Straight answers to what people ask most. These hold wherever you were hurt — for the deadlines and rules that depend on your state, choose your state below.
How Long Do I Have to File Against a Transit Agency?
Much less time than most people expect. When the train, light-rail, or bus that hurt you is operated by a public transit agency, your claim is a claim against the government — and California generally requires a formal government claim to be filed within about six months of the injury, far shorter than the usual two-year window for an ordinary injury case.
Read the answer →Why You Should Act Fast After a Train Accident
Train and rail cases reward speed more than almost any other kind of injury claim, for two reasons. First, railroads and transit agencies respond immediately — they send investigators and claims representatives to a scene within hours, and they control the key evidence, including the train's event recorder, crossing-signal data, and maintenance records.
Read the answer →How Much Does a Train Accident Lawyer Cost?
We handle train, light-rail, and crossing accident claims on a contingency basis for the cases we take, which means there is no fee unless we recover for you. The fee is a percentage of the recovery, and if there is no recovery, you do not owe an attorney fee.
Read the answer →Questions about the law in your state?
Filing deadlines, fault rules, and limits on damages differ by state. Choose where you were hurt for answers under that state's law.
General information, not legal advice. Every situation is different, and the law differs by state.