We can help you claim
compensation following an accident
illness or injury - nationwide
Call: 0800 10 757 95
Train operators have a responsibility to ensure the safety of passengers, to protect them from personal injury and to guard against the possibility of a train accident – should they fail to uphold these duties, those affected may be able to make claims for injury compensation.
Autumn leaves
Fallen leaves can begin to decompose and mulch, eventually creating a slippery coating on the rails which may cause trains to lose traction and slip and slide. This can cause interruptions and delays to rail services and has the potential to cause damage to the track as well as trains.
As such, train operators need to guard against the possibility of autumn leaves becoming a hazard – this can be done by removing encroaching trees and branches from beside the tracks. Furthermore, operators attempt to reduce the impact of the problem by using "leaf busting" trains as well as specialist teams who are trained in freeing rails from leaf-mulch detritus.
In addition, rail operators receive expert leaf fall weather forecasts from Met Office. Drivers should also receive 'skid-pan' training to provide them with the skills and knowledge necessary for coping with autumn tracks.
It is also common for train operators to guard against the possibility of a train accident by running slower services during the autumn.
A spokesperson for South West Trains comments, "Leaves falling on the rails are crushed by passing trains to make a slippery film.
"This makes it harder for trains to accelerate away from stations and means our drivers have to approach station stops more slowly than normal.
"Network Rail runs special rail cleaning trains but these can only reduce, not completely eliminate, this problem.
"To help keep our network running to time during this season, trains on some routes will run a few minutes earlier than normal."
Claim compensation for train accident injuries
If you have suffered personal injury in a train accident, whether as a passenger or in other circumstances, it may be possible to claim compensation.
All train operators have liability insurance in place to cover against the possibility of injured service users making compensation claims.
For information and support from our team of leading personal injury lawyers regarding how you may be able to claim, call us today on 0800 10 757 95 or the mobile-friendly 0333 240 0871.
For online assistance from an advisor, use Live help or complete a Claim form.
