Environmental Impact of Rail Accidents

When a train derails or is involved in a crossing grade accident, the damage is not limited to the people injured or killed. Many train accidents result in environmental contamination of the surrounding area, requiring extensive remediation and cleanup. Individuals and organizations may experience significant property damage and financial loss as a result of train accidents. They may even be injured or become ill as a result of toxic substances released into the environment by a train crash.

Contact Our Houston Law Firm if You Were Affected by a Spill of Toxic Materials

If you were affected by the environmental damage resulting from a train accident, it is important to seek out knowledgeable advice about your legal options. At the Houston law firm of Abraham, Watkins, Nichols, Agosto, Aziz & Stogner, we have been helping people after train accidents since 1951. Our attorneys have the knowledge and resources to provide effective representation and counsel after a train accident. Call us at (713) 222-7211 (toll free 713-222-7211) or contact us online for a free consultation.

Examples of Environmental Issues Resulting From Train Accidents

Trains are used to carry a wide range of hazardous materials, from crude oil to chlorine and other chemicals. Oil trains alone spilled 1.15 million gallons of crude oil in 2013. Although fewer gallons of oil were released into the environment in 2014, the number of oil spills grew significantly. Freight trains have spilled other hazardous materials in recent years, including:

• Vinyl chloride
• Acids
• Caustics
• Cyanide

In some spill-causing accidents, hazardous materials are released as gases, allowing them to travel wherever the wind blows. In other instances, liquids penetrate the water supply and the land, where they ultimately into streams and rivers. Spills can result in fires and other property damage as well as the loss of business in towns that must be evacuated because of spills. In short, the damage caused by the spilling of hazardous materials in train accidents can affect almost anything in the area. People, animals, plants, and commerce can all suffer as a result of a toxic spill.

Contact Our Houston Lawyers

If you were affected by the environmental damage caused by a chemical or other spill during a train accident, you may be entitled to compensation. It is important when exploring your options to obtain legal counsel from attorneys who have handled this type of case before. At the Houston law firm of Abraham, Watkins, Nichols, Agosto, Aziz & Stogner, we have been helping clients who experienced losses as the result of train accidents since 1951. Contact us at (713) 222-7211 (toll free 713-222-7211) or use our online form to schedule a free consultation.