Train Accidents Can Cause Brain Injuries, Fatalities

During a three-year period, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) Office of Safety Analysis reported an increase of train collisions in the United States. The increase, which occurred from June 2005 to June 2008, accounted for a 13.3 percent jump in the number of wrecks occurring throughout the country.

This figure is only heightened after the recent California train accident in September 2008, when a train engineer allegedly failed to stop at a red light causing a train collision that killed at least 25 individuals and injured an additional 135, according to officials from train system known as Metrolink.

One of the common injuries that can likely occur during a train accident is that of a traumatic brain injury (TBI). Currently, nearly 5 million Americans suffer from TBI, however, the number of victims who suffer from TBI due to a train collision is unknown as many TBI victims are never properly treated for their conditions.

There have been more than 10,000 train accidents reported within the last three years, according to statistics derived from the FRA. The most train accidents have been found to occur in Texas, followed closely by Illinois, California, Nebraska, Ohio and Kansas.

Individuals who have been involved in a train wreck know that the severity of injuries suffered can range from fractured bones to brain damage, which can severely impact an individual's life. TBI is a serious condition and should not be taken lightly as it can cause a number of side effects ranging from sensory disorders to paralysis. If an individual is involved in a train wreck and may suffer from TBI, they should consult a medical professional as well as legal counsel immediately to protect themselves.

Reasons for Train Wrecks

According to the FRA there can be several hundred reasons as to why a train accidents occurs, but many of these reasons are associated with defective parts with the train or tracks. Several of the most common train wreck collisions occur for the following reasons:

* wide gage (defective/missing crossties)

* switch improperly lined

* transverse/compound fissure

* shoving movement, failure to control

* switch point worn or broken

* harmonic rock off

* cars left foul

* failure to comply with restricted speed

Unfortunately, many of these reasons for train wrecks can be attributed to human oversight or error. The U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Statistics reports that most rail transportation positions are entry-level jobs requiring little more than a high school diploma and little to no previous experience or employment.

Locomotive engineers are the only rail transportation professionals federally regulated by the FRA, but, as seen in the California Metrolink incident, even a locomotive engineer can cause a monumental train collision.

Brain Injury Side Effects and Treatments

While there are no known statistics on the number of brain injury victims involved in train accidents, it is important that a TBI victim be treated regardless of if they suffer from a bump on a fractured skull. Brain damaged victims often do not know that they are suffering from TBI until the side effects worsen, in which case treatment may be more difficult to administer.

All potential victims of TBI and their friends and family should watch for the following signs and symptoms of TBI. Signs of TBI can include the following, according to the Neurology Channel, which is a board-certified neurological information center developed by physicians and specialized neurologists:

* anxiety, nervousness

* impulsiveness

* inappropriate laughter

* irritability

* disinhibition

* vision impairments such as blurry/double vision

* inability to concentrate

* headache

* dizziness

* lightheadedness

* seizures

* sleep difficulties

* slurred/slowed speech

* vertigo sensations

* weakness in limbs, facial muscles

* muscle stiffness or spasms

* loss of balance

* incoordination

* dysphagia (difficulty swallowing

Suffering from a Brain Injury Caused By Train Collision

Individuals who have had the misfortune of suffering adversely because of a train wreck can find assistance in consulting a knowledgeable train wreck attorney. An experienced personal injury lawyer will be able to offer insightful information as to developing a personal injury lawsuit.

Medical bills can become extremely expensive very quickly and seeking legal action in creating a train wreck case may lead to receiving compensatory damages including money for harm that has been inflicted on a train wreck victims.