Train Accident Lawyers Near You in New Jersey
Millions of commuters and travelers rely on trains for transportation every day. If you or a loved one has been hurt in a train accident, finding a path forward often feels overwhelming. Our skilled personal injury lawyers at Sarno da Costa D’Aniello Maceri Webb LLC, led by Paul M. da Costa, has recovered substantial settlements and verdicts for injured victims and their families. Whether your injuries were caused by mechanical failure, human error, or safety violations, our train accident lawyers in New Jersey can evaluate your case, guide you through the claims process, and fight to help you obtain the compensation and justice you deserve.
Common Causes of Train Accidents
Train accidents can occur in many ways. Some of the most common include:
- Derailments – Conductor negligence, improper maintenance, faulty tracks, defective equipment, overloaded cars, and other issues can lead to train derailment. When a train runs off the tracks, damage tends to be widespread, although it varies by the location in which a derailment occurs. These train accidents can result in multiple fatalities, exposure to toxic chemicals, and life-altering catastrophic injuries.
- Railroad crossing crashes – Malfunctioning safety gates and signals, a train operator’s failure to use lights and horns when approaching, or the negligent actions of motorists or pedestrians can all cause tragic accidents at railroad crossings.
- Collisions with other trains – Communication errors, signal failures, or operator negligence may lead to two trains colliding.
- Mechanical failures – Defective brakes, worn out equipment, or lack of proper maintenance can lead to loss of control of a train and result in serious accidents.
- Operator error – Engineers and conductors are responsible for safely operating trains. If railroad employees are distracted, fatigued, or impaired due to drugs or alcohol, the results can be disastrous.
- Improper training – When rail companies fail to properly train or supervise employees, passengers, workers, and others are put at risk.
- Poor maintenance of infrastructure – Faulty signals, broken switches, and damaged or poorly maintained tracks can contribute to train accidents.
Regardless of the cause, a thorough investigation is necessary to uncover what went wrong and who is responsible for a train accident. From incidents involving falls from platforms to catastrophic derailments, our train accident attorneys represent injured victims in a wide range of cases and know how to investigate these complex claims.
Types of Injuries Sustained in Train Accidents
The powerful impact of a train involved in a crash can affect passengers, bystanders, railroad workers, motorists, pedestrians and others. In 2024, 954 people died and 6,542 were injured in train accidents, according to the National Safety Council (NSC). Common train accident injuries include:
- Broken or crushed bones
- Loss of limb
- Exposure to toxic chemicals
- Burns
- Spinal injuries and paralysis
- Traumatic brain injury
- Psychological and emotional trauma that leads to conditions such as PTSD, depression, and anxiety
Whether one person or hundreds of people are affected by a train accident, holding negligent parties accountable may prevent it from happening again. Our train accident lawyers are experienced, tenacious litigators who know how to go up against rail companies and municipal operators and their insurers. We don’t back down and will fight to help make things right for you and your family. If you’ve lost a loved one in a train accident, our personal injury lawyers can determine whether a wrongful death claim is an appropriate course of action to help you find justice and accountability.
Why You Need an Experienced Train Accident Lawyer
Train accident cases are typically more complex than other types of personal injury claims. They often involve multiple parties, and insurance companies have teams of lawyers whose job is to limit their liability. Our knowledgeable train accident attorneys know how to gather relevant evidence, identify all liable parties, properly calculate damages, and negotiate aggressively on your behalf.
Train accident cases also involve a mix of federal regulations, state laws, and rules and regulations for filing personal injury claims in New Jersey. Our train accident lawyers are certified civil trial attorneys and are well-versed in the legal processes and local, state, and federal courts involved in these cases. We know how to get results for our clients both inside and outside the courtroom.
Let Our Train Accident Lawyers Make Things Right for You
Paul and his team understand the physical, emotional, and financial toll a train accident can take on victims and their families. Our compassionate train accident attorneys know that this may be one of the most challenging times of your life. Our New Jersey train accident lawyers make your voice heard and tirelessly pursue the maximum compensation you need and deserve.
Highly Respected Personal Injury Attorneys You Can Trust
Paul and members of his team have been recognized by The Best Lawyers in America® as Tier 1 Personal Injury – Plaintiffs and Tier 1 Medical Malpractice – Plaintiffs law firm in New Jersey for 2022 and 2024. This highly respected peer-review publication selected Paul as Lawyer of the Year for Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs and Medical Malpractice – Plaintiffs for 2025.
The National Law Journal selected Paul and his Medical Malpractice team as recipients of its prestigious 2022 Elite Trial Lawyers Awards in the medical malpractice category. In 2022, Paul was a finalist for New Jersey Law Journal Attorney of the Year.
In 2023, he was selected for the National Law Journal Trailblazers Plaintiff Lawyers. In 2024, he was included on the NJBIZ Law Power 50 list, which recognizes the most influential men and women leading New Jersey’s legal profession. Paul was also chosen for the New Jersey Super Lawyers Top 100 list from 2020 – 2024.
Sarno da Costa D’Aniello Maceri Webb LLC was selected by their peers for inclusion in the Best Lawyers® Best Law Firms Regional Tier 1 – New Jersey, in the areas of:
- Arbitration
- Family Law
- Family Law Mediation
- Mediation
- Medical Malpractice Law – Plaintiffs
- Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs
Contact a Train Accident Lawyer Near You in New Jersey
At Sarno da Costa D’Aniello Maceri Webb LLC, we care about our clients and their families. If you’ve suffered an injury caused by someone else’s negligence, contact us or call 973-274-5200 to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with Paul M. da Costa today. Our train accident attorneys offer several convenient locations near you in Roseland, Bridgewater, Hackensack, Morristown, and Eatontown, NJ.
Frequently Asked Questions About Train Accidents
Who Can Be Held Liable for a Train Accident?
Depending on the circumstances, multiple parties may be liable in a train accident case. This could include the rail company, train operator, equipment manufacturers, maintenance contractors, or even government agencies responsible for the safe operation of trains.
What Types of Damages Can I Recover if I Was Hurt in a Train Accident?
You may be able to recover damages such as past and future medical expenses, lost wages, loss of earning capacity, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of companion and consortium. In rare cases involving extreme negligence or intentional acts, punitive damages may be awarded.
Should I Accept a Train Accident Settlement?
Rail companies and their insurers often try to settle quickly, but the amount you’re offered may not even cover all your medical bills. A skilled train accident lawyer can review your case, negotiate on your behalf, and help you reach a fair agreement that covers the full scope of your injuries and losses
How Much Does a Train Accident Attorney Cost?
Our personal injury lawyers take cases on a contingency fee basis. This means you won’t incur any upfront costs, and we get paid only if we recover compensation for you. Attorneys’ fees and other legal expenses are taken out of the settlement or award you receive.
