Train Accident Attorney Los Angeles, CA

Injured in a Rail Accident? We Fight Railroad Companies and Win.

Railroad companies have in-house legal teams and federal regulatory shields that make train accident claims uniquely difficult. L&F Brown understands FRA regulations, common carrier liability, and how to build a case that withstands the defenses railroads routinely deploy.

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California law

What You Need to Know Before You Settle

CA Law

Common carrier liability

California holds railroad and transit carriers to a heightened standard of care — they must use the utmost care and diligence for the safe carriage of passengers. This is a stricter standard than ordinary negligence.

CA Law

FRA regulations create duty benchmarks

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) sets equipment, track, and operator standards. Violations of FRA regulations are powerful evidence of negligence and can shift burden to the railroad to explain the crash.

CA Law

Government claims requirements

Claims against Metrolink (a public agency) require a government tort claim within 6 months of injury under California Government Code §911.2. Missing this deadline can bar your claim entirely — act immediately.

CA Law

Multiple liable parties

Train accidents can involve the operating carrier, track owner (often different), maintenance contractors, signal equipment manufacturers, and in crossing accidents, third-party drivers. Identifying all defendants is critical to maximizing recovery.

Rail accidents take many forms

Types of Train Accident Claims We Handle

Railroad liability depends heavily on whether the victim was a passenger, a crossing user, a trespasser, or a bystander — each category carries different legal standards.

Passenger Injuries on Metrolink & Amtrak

Derailments, sudden stops, collisions, and onboard falls — common carrier law applies to all paying passengers.

Grade Crossing Accidents

Vehicles struck by trains at railroad crossings. Liability can include the railroad (signal failure), crossing owner (maintenance), and government entities (inadequate warning).

Pedestrian & Cyclist Strikes

Trespassers and authorized users struck near tracks — even trespassers may have claims in some circumstances under California law.

Freight Train Derailments

Derailments affecting nearby properties and communities through fire, chemical release, or physical destruction.

Metro & Light Rail Accidents

LA Metro Blue, Gold, and other light rail lines — operated under transit agency rules with government claim requirements.

Rail cases move fast

What to Do After a Train Accident in California

Railroad companies deploy their own investigators within hours. Your window to preserve evidence and protect your claim is narrow.

Seek immediate emergency care

Train collisions cause high-force trauma. Get full medical evaluation even for injuries that seem minor.

Note the exact location and train details

Train number, operator, direction of travel, and exact crossing or platform location are critical for tracking records.

Do not speak with railroad investigators

Railroads deploy their own investigative teams immediately. Do not provide statements — refer them to your attorney.

File a Metrolink/government claim within 6 months

If the carrier is a public agency, a government tort claim must be filed within 6 months. This deadline is strict — contact us immediately.

Preserve all evidence

Train data recorders (event recorders), signal logs, and maintenance records are preserved under litigation hold only when demanded quickly. We act fast to issue these demands.

Contact L&F Brown

Rail cases require specific federal regulatory expertise. We handle them regularly and know how to counter the defenses carriers deploy.

Injured in a Train Accident?

Get the Compensation You Deserve.

Free consultation · Pay nothing unless we win · 6,000+ cases handled

800-953-0075

Arya Firoozmand, Esq. — Founding Partner

UCLA Law · Personal Injury Partner · 6,000+ Cases

Railroads are not ordinary defendants. They have their own investigators on scene before you've been discharged from the ER. We've handled these cases. We know what records to demand, what regulations were violated, and how to present that to a jury.

Client Stories

Hear From the People We've Helped

“I had a very good experience with these lawyers. I’d recommend them to anyone looking for quality legal advice and fantastic service. Curt is an Ace.”

Jack Hoskinson

“Overall experience was great. Arya was extremely knowledgeable and guided me through a stressful time in my life. Response times were quick and reassuring. Very happy with the outcome of my case.”

David Chau

“Helped now on three different occasions. Have referred Curt to at least three other people.”

Scott MacDonell

What you can recover

Compensation Available After a Train Accident

Train accident injuries are often catastrophic. California law allows injured passengers and crossing victims to recover the full scope of their losses.

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Medical Expenses
Emergency care, surgery, hospitalization, rehabilitation, and ongoing treatment for spinal, brain, and orthopedic injuries.
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Lost Wages & Earning Capacity
Income lost during recovery and reduced future earnings from permanent disability.
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Pain & Suffering
Physical pain and emotional distress from traumatic injury.
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Permanent Disability
Compensation for lasting physical limitations from catastrophic train accident injuries.
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Wrongful Death
When a train accident is fatal, survivors can recover funeral costs, lost financial support, and loss of companionship.
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Punitive Damages
Available when the carrier acted with recklessness or malice — repeated safety violations can support this theory.

Track record

Recent Verdicts & Settlements

Past outcomes don't guarantee future results, but they show what's possible when evidence is preserved and all defendants are pursued.

$6M Auto versus government entity settlement.

$4M Slip and fall at major retailer.

$2.5M Slip and fall at major retailer.

$1.5M Complex auto vs auto case.

$900K Complicated auto vs auto accident.

$700K Resolved following an auto accident injury.

Know your rights

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can I sue after a Metrolink train accident?

Metrolink (Southern California Regional Rail Authority) is a public agency, so claims against it require a government tort claim filed within 6 months under the California Government Claims Act. You may also have claims against Amtrak (the track owner on many Southern California corridors), equipment manufacturers, maintenance contractors, and in crossing accidents, the crossing owner. Identifying all liable parties is essential to maximizing recovery.

What is common carrier liability and why does it matter?

California law holds common carriers — including railroads, bus operators, and transit agencies — to a higher standard of care than ordinary defendants. They must use the utmost care and diligence for the safe carriage of their passengers. This elevated standard makes it easier to establish negligence and shifts more of the burden to the carrier to demonstrate it met that heightened duty.

What if I was hit by a train at a grade crossing?

Grade crossing accidents are among the most complex rail cases because liability can fall on multiple parties: the railroad (signal or gate maintenance), the entity that owns the crossing (often a city or county), and the crossing design engineer. We investigate all three. The 6-month government claim deadline applies if any defendant is a public entity.

Do I have a claim if I was trespassing on railroad tracks?

Possibly. California law recognizes claims for trespassers in certain circumstances, particularly when the railroad knew or should have known that trespassers regularly used the area and failed to take reasonable precautions. The strength of such a claim depends heavily on the specific facts. Contact us for a free evaluation.

Injured in a Rail Accident? We Fight Railroad Companies and Win.