About railroad accidents

Trains and railroads are excellent options for moving goods and commodities across the country. Although railways are efficient and often considered safer than many modes of transportation, railroad accidents unfortunately still occur.

When accidents happen

Across the state of California, it’s common to find decommissioned, abandoned, or decayed train tracks. These hazards, which do not all invoke railroad jurisdiction, can easily cause damage to both people and property.

When train accidents happen, the people involved usually suffer catastrophic injuries or death. There are a number of ways that an accident can occur, but the most common include:

• Railway negligence (derailments)
• Inspection and maintenance violations
• Collisions at unprotected railway crossings
• Mechanical failure
• Conductor error
• Interfering objects on the tracks (animals, vehicles, other trains)