The size and speed of trains brings death and destruction to anyone and anything in their path. The main forms of train accidents are train derailments, train and pedestrian accidents, and train and car accidents.

To learn about train accidents in Washington, D.C., go to the Federal Railroad Administration site.

Train Derailments - Statistically, a train derails about every ninety minutes in the US. This is because railroads are effectively self-regulated and few attempts have been made by the federal government to examine or improve on their safety performance. Rail companies tend to rely on old technology developed decades ago, and few measures have been made to improve safety.

Pedestrian-Related Train Accidents - Approximately three hundred people die in train-related accidents in the U.S. each year. A number of these deaths are considered suicides, but many of these deaths are not by design.

Car-Related Train Accidents - Railroad crossings are a dangerous place for motorists if not approached with the proper caution. There are about 5,800 car-related train accidents each year in the U.S. and the majority of these occur at railroad crossings.

When someone is injured in a train accident in Washington, D.C., what needs to happen next?

When someone is injured, it is crucial to get appropriate medical treatment, regardless of the financial cost. The major hospitals in the area include:

George Washington University Hospital;

Howard University Hospital;

Sibley Memorial Hospital.

As soon as possible, an injured person should contact their insurance company to find out how medical treatment is covered under their insurance policy.

Personal injury lawyers offer a no-cost claim evaluation to help you.

Since there is no cost to speak with a lawyer, it is a good idea to learn more about your potential claim. Accident Data Center can connect you with an experienced personal injury lawyer who can provide you with information about your rights and options.