San Diego Train & Trolley Accident Lawyers

Train & Trolley Accident Lawyers Serving San Diego, CA and Surrounding Areas

If you or a loved one has been injured on the MTS Trolley, an NCTD Coaster or Sprinter train, an Amtrak Pacific Surfliner, or in a crash involving one of these trains anywhere in San Diego County, The Barnes Firm’s San Diego train and trolley accident lawyers can help. These cases are different from an ordinary car accident claim: they often involve a public transit agency, a strict filing deadline, and a heightened duty of care that common carriers owe their passengers.

What you can expect from The Barnes Firm:

• A free, no-obligation case consultation
• Attorneys who know how to navigate claims against MTS, NCTD, and Amtrak specifically
• No fees unless we recover compensation for you

If you or someone you know has been injured in a train or trolley accident, call The Barnes Firm today at (800) 800-0000 or contact us for a free case evaluation.

San Diego’s Rail Systems

San Diego is served by three separate rail systems, and which one was involved in your accident can significantly affect how your claim is handled:

• The MTS Trolley is one of the oldest light rail systems in the country, carrying roughly 120,000 riders a day across more than 65 miles of track and 62 stations throughout the city.
• NCTD’s Coaster and Sprinter are commuter rail lines connecting San Diego to North County communities, operated by the North County Transit District.
• Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliner runs through San Diego on its route along the Southern California coast, operated by a federally chartered rail corporation rather than a local transit agency.

Trolley and train accidents can happen on board, at a station platform, at a grade crossing, or to a pedestrian, cyclist, or driver struck by a train. Regardless of which system was involved, our attorneys can help you understand your options.

Filing a Claim Against MTS, NCTD, or Amtrak

MTS and NCTD are public transit agencies, which means claims against them generally follow California’s Government Claims Act rather than the standard rules for suing a private driver or company. In most cases, you must file a formal written claim within six months of the accident. If the agency denies the claim, or doesn’t respond within 45 days, you generally have six more months to file a lawsuit. Missing this window can permanently bar your claim, no matter how strong it would otherwise have been.

Amtrak is different. As a federally chartered rail corporation rather than a California public entity, claims against Amtrak are generally not subject to the Government Claims Act’s six-month deadline, though federal rules and potential preemption issues can still affect your case in other ways. Because the rules differ by which system was involved, it’s important to speak with an attorney as soon as possible after your accident so your claim is filed correctly and on time.

Who Is Liable in a San Diego Train or Trolley Accident?

Several parties can potentially be held liable, depending on the circumstances:

• The transit agency or railroad may be liable if negligent operation, inadequate maintenance, or poor safety procedures contributed to the accident.
• The equipment manufacturer may be liable if a defect in the train, trolley, or track equipment caused or worsened the accident.
• A government entity responsible for grade crossing signals, signage, or road design may be liable if a dangerous condition contributed to the crash.
• Another driver may be liable if their actions caused a collision with a train or trolley at a crossing.

Our attorneys investigate every angle of your accident to identify every party who may be responsible and maximize your potential recovery.

Federal Employees Liability Act

Train workers and railroad workers who have been hurt on the job due to another’s negligence may be entitled to additional compensation under FELA (Federal Employees Liability Act), a federal law that works differently from standard workers’ compensation.

Learn more about FELA

Pedestrian Safety Near Railroads

Pedestrians walking on or near trolley and railroad tracks face real risks, particularly at unmarked crossings or in areas without adequate barriers or signage.

Pedestrian Safety Near Railroads

Railroad and Trolley Grade Crossings

Most train and trolley accidents involving vehicles occur at grade crossings, where a train or trolley collides with a car or truck blocking the tracks. These accidents are frequently preventable with adequate signals, gates, and driver awareness.

Why Railroad Crossing Safety Is Important

Railroad Derailments

A train derailment can happen for various reasons, most of which could be avoided with appropriate maintenance and up-to-date safety technology.

What Causes Train Derailments

Trolley, Coaster, and Pedestrian Platform Accidents

Some trolley and train injuries happen on board or at a station platform rather than at a crossing, including slip-and-fall accidents, sudden stops that throw passengers into other riders or fixtures, and gaps between the platform and the train car during boarding or exiting.

Common Injuries From Train and Trolley Accidents

Because of the size and speed of trains and trolleys, injuries from these accidents are often severe. Common injuries include:

• Traumatic brain injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Multiple fractures
• Amputations
• Internal injuries
• Severe lacerations and road rash
• Wrongful death

What Compensation Can You Recover?

Depending on your case, compensation may include medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, property damage, and, in fatal cases, wrongful death damages for eligible family members. Cases involving a public transit agency may also involve different procedural steps than a standard personal injury claim, which is one more reason the six-month filing deadline above matters so much.

San Diego Train and Trolley Accident Attorneys Near You

Our office is located at 655 W Broadway, Ste. 940, near the heart of Downtown San Diego, just minutes from the Gaslamp Quarter and Little Italy.

We represent clients throughout San Diego’s neighborhoods and surrounding areas, including Gaslamp Quarter, Little Italy, La Jolla, Pacific Beach, Mission Beach, North Park, Coronado, Point Loma, Encinitas, and University City.

Call Our San Diego Train Accident Lawyers at The Barnes Firm Today

Train and trolley accident cases involve layers of complexity that an ordinary accident claim doesn’t, from identifying every liable party to navigating the rules that apply to a public transit agency or a federal rail corporation. The Barnes Firm has helped hundreds of accident victims across the country get the best results possible, and we’re ready to put that experience to work for you.

If someone you know has been injured in a train accident, call us today at (800) 800-0000 for a FREE case evaluation. It could be the best call you make.

Client Reviews

What our clients are saying about us

Nichole W.

The Barnes Firm was very friendly, always quick to respond to our calls, emails. When we had any questions or concerns they were there to walk us through everything. Would definitely recommend them to anyone that is looking for an attorney that will honestly fight for you and has your best interest in mind.