At Hardison & Associates, L.L.P., Attorneys at Law, we are extremely proud of our Personal Injury Division. This division is made up of lawyers with extensive experience in personal injury law. Our attorneys are supported by a team of case managers, litigation paralegals, legal assistants and investigators.

Ken Hardison, known as the "people's lawyer," has spent the past 20 years building a highly respected practice specializing in injury law. Along with Ken and Associates, the attorneys that work for Hardison & Associates have the experience, knowledge, and overwhelming desire to get you the results you deserve. Our attorneys are committed to the highest ethical standards. While our practice has grown over the years, one thing has remained constant- - our dedication to personal attention.

According to the Federal Railroad Administration, each year there are approximately 3,000 train accidents in the U.S. and about 1000 people lose their lives. In addition to the catastrophic injury and loss of life caused by railroad accidents, there is also an ever increasing regarding the hazardous spills that can be caused by train wrecks. The reality is that nearly every 115 minutes in America someone is hit by a train. What is truly tragic is that most of these accidents are avoidable.

Most crossing accidents occur because motorists chose to ignore warnings signs, signals or safety gates, however nearly all trespasser deaths are preventable. Unfortunately, many people continue to jog, ride bikes, and walk near or over tracks daily, needlessly endangering their lives and the lives of train crews. Many believe they will hear the oncoming train or that the train will be able to stop in time. The fact is, it takes a train traveling 50 mph, a mile and half to stop.

The National Transportation Safety Board indicates that 60% of all crossing fatalities occur at unprotected crossings and that approximately 80% of all public railroad crossings are not protected by lights and safety gates. The most common types or railroad accidents are collisions with other trains, derailment, collisions with passenger vehicles, improperly maintained tracks, mechanical failure and driver inexperience and fatigue.

Statistics regarding railroad accidents:

• Every 90 minutes there is a train collision or derailment.
• A train carrying hazardous material goes off the tracks approximately every 2 weeks in the United States.
• Railroads are essentially self-regulated and do come under the close scrutiny of the federal government.
• Rail companies expend very little effort to update their safety measures.
• More than 50% of all railroad accidents occur at unprotected crossings and, according to the Federal Railroad Administration, over 80% of railroad crossings don't have adequate warning devices.
• Statistics may show that although "vehicle v. train collisions" have decreased in the last few years, "pedestrian v. train collisions" have increased.

Despite the accumulation of statistics such as these, there still are many unsafe rail crossings. Some are unsafe because of a failure to maintain the safety equipment in place at the crossing; others are unsafe because no safety equipment has been installed.

When a pedestrian or a motor vehicle comes into contact with a moving train the outcome is almost always tragic. Sometimes accidents involving trains may occur due to the negligence of the driver of the motor vehicle or pedestrian. However, sometimes the train engineer, the railroad, or another party may be liable. Railroad crossings are sometimes substandard or in disrepair. Sometimes crossings are not secured by crossbars and the vision of approaching vehicles may be obscured by another stopped train. Although the vast majority of train accidents are minor, they can also be catastrophic due to the impact of the force against whatever the train hits.

The laws governing liability in the case of railroad accident and injury are extremely complex. When a railroad or train accident does occur, there are laws that govern whether or not the carrier is liable. There are many factors that determine if the railroad company was at fault and could have prevented the accident by exercising the proper care and maintenance. Also, if the carrier is found liable, there are even more factors to consider as to what percentage of liability they will have to assume.

A railroad company and its train crew have a responsibility to use reasonable care to avoid injury to anyone traveling on highways crossed by the train tracks. Most railroads are operated and owned by the government, which means that injury claims are governed by the "torts claims acts". These laws have strict time limitations for reporting injuries and filling law suits and are significantly more complicated than the laws governing motor vehicle accidents.

If you, or a loved one, have been the victim of a railroad accident, you may be able to obtain compensation for your medical and rehabilitation costs, as well as lost wages. Litigation is often the only way to ensure that you receive the compensation that you are entitled to.

Please contact a Hardison & Associates RR Crossing Accident attorney immediately regarding your injuries. We will make arrangements for your medical bills to be paid out of any future settlement, which will allow you to focus on your recovery instead of your medical bills.

The most often asked question regarding personal injury lawsuits is, “What is the value of my claim?” This is dependent on a variety of factors; such as previous verdicts, cost of medical bills, type of injury, disability rating, percentage of liability assessed to the railroad and the amount of your lost wages.

At Hardison & Associates, we have over 20 years experience handling accident cases and we can help you achieve the largest settlement possible. We handle each case as if it were going to trial. Insurance companies know that law firms, such as Hardison &Associates, who have a reputation for going to trial receive higher settlements than those who do not.

We will also be there to guide you through the entire legal process, which can be complicated when railroad accidents are involved. Having an attorney on your side is the most efficient route to settling your case and getting the compensation that you deserve. So please contact Hardison & Associates today. We look forward to meeting you and discussing your claim. Please know that we appreciate the trust you have placed in our firm. We can be reached at 800-434-7516 or via e-mail.

Our personal injury practice also includes the following areas:

• Accidents involving automobiles, trucks, motorcycles, trains, and pedestrians
• Slip and Fall cases
• Products Liability
• Nursing Home Negligence
• Medical Malpractice
• Catastrophic Injuries
• Security Assaults
• Fire Cases due to negligence