According to the Federal Railroad Administration, more than 8,000 people were injured and almost 1,000 died in train accidents in 2004. Fatigue, sleeping disorders, use of medications, and distractions are just a few of the reasons collisions have occurred. The National Transportation Safety Board's (NTSB) reported over 1,700 general aviation accidents with 576 fatalities and 1,800 civil aviation accidents, of which 609 were fatalities. Mechanical difficulties and human error have been cited as the two most common causes of aviation accidents.

If you or someone you love has been injured or killed in an aviation or train accident, you may be entitled to compensation. Under the law, each person has a duty to act as a reasonable person would be expected to act in similar circumstances. Those responsible for negligence are legally obligated (i.e., liable) to make good for the damage or losses they have caused. While the circumstances of each aviation or railroad accident are always different, generally claims for personal injury or wrongful death are the result of negligence, product liability or a combination of the two.

In these challenging and complex cases, the Flexner Law Firm, P.A. can make a difference. Rich Flexner is a North Carolina trial attorney with over twenty-five years experience in personal injury and wrongful death claims. We offer our North Carolina clients a distinct advantage. We have a reputation for strong negotiations in settlements, and sound courtroom skills that ensure a successful outcome for our clients. We serve the residents of Wilmington, New Hanover County, Wrightsville Beach, Oak Island, Brunswick County, Kure Beach, Pender County, Carolina Beach, Columbus County, Burgaw, Southport, Bladen County, Elizabethtown, Bolivia, Whiteville, and throughout North Carolina.

A train accident is defined by the Federal Railroad Administration as a "collision, derailment, and other event involving the operation of on-track equipment". Train accidents cause "reportable damage above an established threshold" and generally involve collisions or derailment. For the last 30 years, the National Transportation Safety Board has investigated a number of railroad collisions involving crewmembers who failed to operate their trains in accordance with laws and regulations. Railroad companies have a legal obligation to provide adequate safety for passengers and crew.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) estimates that the airline industry will double over the next two decades to accommodate the increasing number of passengers. While air travel continues to be a relatively safe means of transportation; when aviation accidents occur there are devastating injuries and fatalities are high. Federal and state agencies have developed stringent laws to govern the airline/railroad industries and protect passengers against:

• Pilot or engineer error,
• Engine failure,
• Aircraft/train structural or design problems,
• Runway incursions or track problems,
• Weather (including turbulence), and
• Negligent repair or maintenance of the aircraft or replacement parts. 

While monetary compensation cannot change the past, it can help you worry less about medical bills, employment and rehabilitation, and your future. The complexity and number of aviation and railroad regulations can make it difficult to prove that negligence or a defective product was the cause of an accident. That's where the Flexner Law Firm, P.A. can help. If you or a loved one has been involved in a plane or train accident, it is important to contact an attorney to protect your rights. Contact The Law Offices of Richard Flexner, P.A. today at 1-800-FLEXNER or 910-794-3221, for your free legal consultation. You may also contact us through our online form.

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