Train Accident Lawyer in California

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Why Choose Our Train Accident Lawyers in California?

Train accidents can result in some of the most serious injuries seen in personal injury law, and the legal process that follows is rarely straightforward. At The Law Office of Brent D. Rawlings, we fight for you so you don’t have to handle it alone. We handle everything while you focus on getting better. Every client gets the same level of attention and commitment we’d give our own family, and you won’t pay a cent unless we win. Start with a free consultation and let us take a look at your case.

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Why You Need a Train Accident Lawyer

Railroad companies have legal teams and insurers ready to act the moment an accident happens. Without representation, you’re up against people who handle these cases every day, and that gap shows in the outcomes.

Train accident cases also involve federal regulations and multiple potential liable parties. That requires early investigation before evidence disappears.

The sooner you have a train accident lawyer, the better protected your case is.

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Common Causes of Train Accidents in California

Operator error

Speeding, ignoring signals, distraction, or fatigue. The 2008 Chatsworth crash that killed 25 people came down to an operator texting through a red light.

Equipment failure

Brake problems, faulty switches, or mechanical issues that should have been caught before the train left the station.

Poor maintenance

Neglected tracks and ignored repairs don’t fix themselves.

Railroad crossing accidents

Vehicles on the tracks are among the most common causes, whether due to driver inattention, a stalled car, or a poorly designed crossing.

Improper cargo loading

On freight trains, an unbalanced or unsecured load can cause a derailment.

Pedestrians on tracks

Poor fencing, bad lighting, and missing barriers put people in dangerous situations they could have been protected from.

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Common Injuries in Train Accidents

Traumatic brain injuries (TBI). A hard impact or sudden stop can cause anything from a concussion to serious brain damage with long-term consequences.
Spinal cord injuries. The wrong kind of jolt can injure the spine badly enough to cause permanent pain or even paralysis.
Fractures. Passengers thrown from their seats or hit by debris often end up with broken bones, sometimes requiring surgery.
Internal injuries. Organ damage and internal bleeding aren’t always obvious right away. That’s why getting checked out immediately matters even if you feel okay.
Burns. Derailments can cause fires and explosions. Burn injuries are among the most painful and the most expensive to treat.
Psychological trauma. PTSD, anxiety, and emotional distress following a train accident are real injuries, and compensable ones under California law.
Wrongful death. When the worst happens, and an accident becomes fatal, surviving family members can pursue a wrongful death claim to seek compensation for their loss.

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Who May Be Liable in a Train Accident?

Train accidents often include more than one liable party. The railroad company is usually the first place to look since they’re responsible for the equipment, the tracks, and the people operating the train. If an operator made a mistake, both they and their employer can be held accountable.

The company that owns the tracks may also be liable, and that’s not always the same company running the train. If a faulty part caused or contributed to the crash, the manufacturer can also be held accountable. And if a government agency was responsible for maintaining a crossing or a section of track, it could be liable as well. However, claims against public entities in California have a much shorter filing deadline than in standard cases.

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What to Do After a Train Accident in California

1. Get Medical Attention Immediately

Train accidents cause serious injuries that aren’t always obvious right away. Get checked out even if you feel okay, and keep records of every visit and prescription.

2. Report The Accident

Make sure the railroad company, transit agency, or law enforcement documents it. Don’t give a recorded statement and don’t sign anything.

3. Document What You Can

Photos of the scene, your injuries, and any visible damage. Write down what happened while it’s still fresh.

4. Collect Witness Information

Names and contact details from anyone who saw the accident.

5. Preserve All Evidence

Medical bills, receipts, damaged belongings, and incident reports – keep everything. Railroad companies send their own investigators so that evidence can disappear. Don’t talk to the railroad’s representatives alone. Their adjusters and attorneys move quickly. Don’t accept any offers or agree to anything without a train accident lawyer.

6. Contact a Train Accident Attorney

Train cases are very complex, with federal regulations and tight deadlines. The sooner you have representation, the better your position.

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Compensation Available After a Train Accident

A train accident claim can cover two categories of damages. Economic damages are the financial losses you can put a number on, like medical bills, future treatment, lost wages, and reduced earning capacity if the injury has long-term effects on your ability to work.

Non-economic damages cover everything else, including pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and permanent disability or disfigurement. These are harder to calculate, but just as real, and California law fully recognizes them.

If the accident was fatal, surviving family members can pursue a wrongful death claim for funeral costs, lost financial support, and loss of companionship.

Have You Been Injured in an Accident?

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How to File a Train Accident Claim in California

Train accident claims are more complicated than most personal injury cases. Different rules apply depending on who’s responsible. Public transit agencies require a government claim within six months, railroad employees fall under federal FELA law, and multiple parties often share liability. Each one needs to be handled correctly. Most people who try to handle this alone make mistakes that cost them their case. Get a train accident attorney before you do anything else.

TESTIMONIALS

Train Accident Attorney Services Reviews

Katie P.

16:43 21 Apr 26

I highly recommend Brent. He is very responsive and on top of everything. I was very happy to have him on my side.

Lance S.

16:35 21 Apr 26

Brent and his team are always looking out for their client’s best interest.

I highly recommend anyone in need of their Services

Julian C.

23:30 14 Apr 26

M M.

06:09 07 Apr 26

I had a great experience working with The Law Office of Brent D. Rawlings after my work-related accident. He really took the time to understand my personal injury situation and guided me through every step of the process. I never felt left in the dark and with his assistance everything was explained clearly, and all my questions were answered with patience and honesty.

What stood out most was how much he genuinely cared about my case and making sure I was taken care of through the whole process. Going through an injury is stressful, but having the right attorney made a huge difference.

I truly appreciate all the help and support, from him and his team. I highly recommend this professional attorney to anyone.

Jeremy

01:22 26 Feb 26

My experience with Mr.Rawlings and his team, hands down one of the greatest people to have by my side during my time need. If I had to do it all over again, they would be the first people I’d call. Thank you Mr. Rawlings and his team!

Sandra M.

19:17 15 Feb 26

I was by myself when a driver ran a red light and hit me. I was too dazed to ask any questions or get information at the scene, and I was worried about my injuries. My first conversation with Brent immediately put me at ease. He got me in touch with doctors that helped me for months to feel better and he took care of my case from start to finish. He truly cared about getting me back to normal and taking care of me. I was impressed at his competence investigating the accident to prove the other driver was at fault and negotiating with the insurance company. I’m happy with the outcome of my case, but more importantly, I’m happy that Brent and his team have heart, compassion, and empathy and care about their clients beyond a settlement.

Irene G.

22:45 06 Feb 26

I never expected how much your life can change in instant! My life turned upside down from being hit in an accident.
I was lost, in pain and and had no one
to turn to.
Attorney Brent Rawlings and his team came to my rescue and assured me that they would do everything possible to get the support and assistance I needed at this difficult time in my life.
I am so thankful for everything they did so that I could receive a settlement that was fair and just for everything I’ve been through.
Thank you Attorney Brent Rawlings and Cami
for your patience, fight and determination
I am blessed to have you as my support team
Irene Gonzalez

Marissa S.

19:34 03 Feb 26

I was in an accident with my son last year, and Brent Rawlings was amazing. Him and his team (Cami and Juan) kept me updated throughout the entire process. I’ve never had to go through anything like this before so they were very helpful. They were able to get me the max amount available through the insurances, and made sure that we were both ok physically and emotionally.
Highly recommend. If for some reason, I ever need another Personal Injury Lawyer, I will be back.

Juanita N.

10:41 01 Feb 26

It’s very simple. Brent wins. An Utmost professional attorney and team. Attentive and responsive. Brent listens to you, gives you his honest opinion and fights for what you are asking for. He is incredibly smart and a beast in litigation. When showtime came, I was completely impressed by how he presented my case and how he never backed down and how ultimately he got what I wanted. He took on my case when others did not. And he won for me. His paralegal Cami, a gem. Always pleasant, professional, responsive and clear with information and instruction. A Solid, effective and winning team. Brent never let me down. I am completely thankful and have tremendous respect for Brent who believed in me, fought for me and righted a wrong. You are a blessing to humanity. May an abundance of wronged people in this world flock to you and your team so that you can continue to win big for them and right their wrongs. God Bless.

Diana R.

16:51 20 Jan 26

I was in a car accident last year, The Law Office of Brent D. Rawlings took care of me, they walked me through the process step by step. Scheduled my appointments, answered every concern/ question I had in a timely manner. They are very professional, and worked quickly to reach the settlement with the insurance, they fought for me to get the highest settlement the insurance provider had available. If you are ever in need of an injury lawyer reach them!

Sean A.

23:10 13 Nov 25

I had a great experience working with this firm. Attorney Rawlings and the team were professional, communicative, and worked hard to get a positive result for my case. I would definitely recommend them to anyone needing legal assistance.

Jennifer V.

17:39 03 Nov 25

We were referred to Attorney Brent Rawlings from our chiropractor after our accident. Cami was the one who supported our case and made sure we had everything we needed. She would go far and beyond to make sure we only had to care about healing post-accident. Our case was able to close on less than 6 months! I am very thankful for Cami and Attorney Rawlings for all their work.

Dan T.

16:26 03 Nov 25

At the end of May, my girlfriend and I were rear-ended on the freeway. We were injured and felt lost, as it was the first time we had ever experienced such a serious accident. After doing a lot of research, we finally reached out to Mr. Rawlings and his team. They handled our situation with great efficiency and professionalism, which immediately earned our trust.
I would like to especially thank Cami, who was incredibly helpful. She explained every step of the process from A to Z and kept us updated on our case almost every other week for several months. I’m truly grateful for how they managed and ultimately settled our case.
To conclude, Mr Rawlings is an amazing person to discuss with !

Michael E.

00:33 09 Oct 25

I’ve had such a great experience working with The Law Office of Brent D. Rawlings. Cami has been my main point of contact and she has been super helpful! Highly recommend.

John B.

17:50 26 Sep 25

Cami and Brent are incredible to work with. Our legal teams work together to bring the best possible outcome for our mutual clients and their dedication and respect for our clients is wonderful. There are a lot of law firms, but finding one you can truly trust when working on cases together is rare.

JOY SIMS P.

15:23 12 Sep 25

I want to take a moment to sincerely thank The Law Office Brent D. Rawlings for assisting me with my accident case. Your professionalism and dedication gave me peace of mind during a very stressful time.
I also want to give special recognition to your assistant, Cami. She went above and beyond, always answering my calls and texts, even at times when I thought she should have been resting. Her kindness, patience, and responsiveness made this entire process so much easier for me. Thank you, Joy Sims Pigeon

Mayra S.

00:39 07 Jul 25

Brent Rawlings is one of the best attorneys I’ve ever had. He guided me step by step through the entire process and made sure I understood everything along the way. After my car accident, he handled my case with professionalism, care, and dedication. I truly appreciate all of his help and support. I highly recommend him — 100%!

Ujjwal D.

23:57 21 May 25

I was referred to Mr. Rawlings by another attorney after he felt that Mr. Rawlings’ firm would be best suited for my case. Prior to contacting Mr. Rawlings, I was told that my case-a rental car malfunctioning issue that caused painful burn wounds to my arm and almost missed maiming my wife and I—wasn’t strong. Mr. Rawlings and his staff agreed to take up my case and patiently navigated all the challenges and intimately got me a settlement from a major car rental chain. I couldn’t be happier with the outcome. Compensation is not everything and it does not erase the pain and suffering. But how your case should be handled to get a desired reasonable and favorable outcome is what I was impressed with Mr. Rawlings. I highly recommend him.

Kyle S.

18:44 24 Apr 25

This right here is the way you treat your clients after having such a bad experience with my former attorney, Brett along with his assistant have made this so painless he took a chance on me when there was nobody that would and I’m so glad I found him when I did I had almost lost hope! But with his kindness and guidance I was able to settle for my car accident and he has just been an all over nice guy it’s hard to find anyone as genuine as him and his team!!! If your looking for someone to help you through your case please contact if you want it to be painless please contact if you want someone who cares about his clients please contact you will not regret picking him to fight for you … thank you Brett and team for doing this in a timely manner and cleaning up the mess that the former attorney made I know it was not fun but you are appreciated

-Kyle

John B.

01:51 18 Apr 25

Brent and Cami are very professional and did a great job for my wife and I. We received well above the amount the insurance company originally offered. We would highly recommend anyone to utilize the services of Brent Rawlings.

Yasmeena C.

20:07 09 Apr 25

Brent was very helpful despite the complicated circumstances of my case and the tight deadlines that we had, but despite all of the issues he still came through with getting me SOMETHING to show for years of mental hardship and financial stress. Even though we didn’t get as much as we hoped, Brent definitely helped me more than any lawyer I had worked with before and I definitely recommend Brent if you want someone who will keep you in the loop.
Cami/Maria the paralegal was also amazing and so helpful with explaining everything!

Matthew H.

14:53 18 Mar 25

Brent and Cami did a great job representing me in my case. Their communication was excellent. When I would send an email, the would respond within minutes. I was very happy with the outcome that they achieved. Brent was recommended by a personal friend and I am very glad that they did.

Samara V Guatzin P.

16:05 11 Mar 25

Excellent lawyer. I solved my injury problem. With a good result! 100% recommended!!! 👏🏻👏🏻

Jennifer S.

00:02 11 Feb 25

What an amazing trusting team Brent and Cami!!! I had an incident in California and I live in Montana. I’ve never met either of them but their professionalism was amazing. The communication and actually feeling like they cared was beyond my expectations. I was more than a client I was a person. I would recommend them to anyone seeking legal counsel for a personal injury. I hope one day to meet them both in person to thank them personally. Thank you so much Brent and Cami.

Martin B.

19:45 09 Feb 25

Excellent attorney! Brent is a thorough, sharp, and very knowledgeable attorney. I would not to hesitate to recommend to anyone in need of a personal injury attorney.

María Paula P.

16:58 09 Feb 25

Great lawyer! I worked with him, and I highly recommend him. His ethics and the way he cares for his clients are truly unique.

Paulina E.

02:25 28 Jan 25

Brent and Cami are the best!! I felt lost and had so many questions. From the moment they took my case, they were both so proactive and attentive. I’m beyond glad I chose Brent to handle my case. Brent proved to be an invaluable support. He was very knowledgeable, dedicated and thorough in his approach. He made sure I understood all my options and got the best possible care. If you need an Attorney who truly cares about his clients, look no further!

Olivia S.

21:26 14 Jan 25

Brent and Cami are absolute sharks and relentless advocates who fight tirelessly on your behalf. From start to finish, their legal team made me feel like a human being, not just another case. They took the time to truly understand me and my family, which brought a personal touch to their already exceptional expertise.

Throughout the entire process, they were absolute superstars in communication—always keeping me informed and ensuring I understood every step. Their dedication and compassion are unmatched, and I genuinely feel like I’ve gained lifelong friends in the process.

Although I hope I never require legal support again, I am thrilled to have Brent and Cami as a resource for the future. If you’re looking for a legal team that is not only skilled but also genuinely cares about you as a person, I cannot recommend Brent and Cami highly enough.

Derek Z.

01:04 14 Dec 24

Can not say enough accolades about Brent and Cami. Both have been very professional, attentive, and so caring regarding my wife Rosette’s PI case. Through the years, we’ve had several attorneys representing us, but none, except for Brent, would call on weekends to just talk.
Never in a million years did I ever expect we would be awarded the maximum amount from our insurance policy. But somehow Brent accomplished the impossible, and for that, we are beyond grateful. Continued success to you Brent, you’re simply the best!!!

Normary P.

04:08 28 Nov 24

Highly recommend calling Brent!! I got into an accident about 2 weeks ago, and Brent has been providing the best guidance and helping so much in dealing with my insurance. He’s extremely responsive, always professional, and follows through on everything he says. Brent helps make a stressful situation feel a lot more manageable. Thanks for all of your help, Brent!!

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Contact The Law Office of Brent D. Rawlings’ Train Injury Lawyers

Train accidents change lives, and the legal process that follows can feel just as difficult as the accident itself. At The Law Office of Brent D. Rawlings, we take that weight off your shoulders while you recover. You’ll have direct access to our team, honest answers, and a train injury lawyer who treats your case with the same urgency they’d give their own family.

As an experienced personal injury lawyer firm, we handle a wide range of cases across California, from a traffic accident attorney handling collision claims to a water damage lawyer pursuing property-related injury cases. So wherever your situation fits, we have the experience to help.

Our California train accident lawyer consultation is free, and there’s no fee unless we win. Reach out today and let us take it from here.

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FAQs About Train Accident Attorney Services

If you’re thinking about working with a lawyer, it’s important that you find the right one.

How Can a Train Accident Lawyer Help Me?

Train accident cases include federal regulations, multiple liable parties, and deadlines that vary depending on who’s responsible. We handle all of it: identifying every at-fault party, preserving evidence, meeting the right deadlines, and negotiating against legal teams.

What Should I Do Immediately After a Train Accident?

Get medical attention right away because train injuries aren’t always obvious. Then report the accident to the relevant authority and document the scene if you’re able to. Don’t give any statements to the railroad or transit agency, don’t sign anything, and contact a train injury lawyer before you do anything else, especially if a public transit agency is involved.

How Long Do I Have to File a Train Accident Claim in California?

For private railroads and individuals, the standard two-year statute of limitations applies. Still, if a public transit agency like Metrolink or Caltrain is involved, you have just six months to file a government claim before losing your right to sue. Railroad workers injured on the job are covered by a separate federal law (FELA), which imposes a three-year statute of limitations.

What Damages Can I Recover After a Train Accident?

You can recover economic damages (medical bills, future medical treatment, lost wages, and reduced earning capacity), as well as non-economic damages such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, and permanent disability.

Can I Sue a Railroad Company for a Train Accident?

Yes, railroad companies can be held liable for accidents caused by operator error, poor maintenance, inadequate training, or safety violations. In many cases, the track owner, equipment manufacturer, or a government agency also shares liability. If you’re a railroad employee, your claim falls under federal FELA law instead of standard California personal injury law, which changes how you prove negligence and what you can recover.

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