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When a train comes off its tracks, the impact can be violent and overwhelming, and a Washington, DC train derailment lawyer with proven experience can make all the difference in what happens next. Regan Zambri Long is an award-winning personal injury firm that has spent three decades representing individuals harmed in serious Amtrak and Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA)’s Metrorail accidents. Best Lawyers consistently names us among the Best Law Firms in America, and our board certified partners have been recognized as their Lawyer of the Year on five occasions. That recognition is backed by results, including more than $1 billion in settlements and verdicts recovered for injured clients.
Train derailment cases involve detailed investigations, multiple responsible parties, and claims against government agencies or large corporations. We have the resources and skills required to handle these challenges, fronting all case costs and working with top medical, engineering, and accident reconstruction experts to build strong, evidence-driven cases from the outset.
Have you been injured in a train derailment in Washington, DC? Contact Regan Zambri Long today, and one of our train accident attorneys will personally call you back. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and you don’t pay unless we win your case.
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A train derailment is just what it sounds like—the train coming off the rail tracks. Derailment accidents can range from minor to catastrophic, depending on the circumstances of the event.
In a minor derailment, a train might slip from the rails but not come completely off the track, resulting in minimal injuries (if any) and some delay in getting the train running smoothly again. A 2021 metro derailment resulted in minimal injuries for passengers, but also highlights that minor derailments can still be traumatic and frightening for passengers.
A severe derailment could see the train coming completely off the track, tipping, rolling, and otherwise crashing and causing serious injuries and even fatalities for passengers. Accidents such as the 2009 Metro derailment—which remains the most deadly incident in the Metro’s history with nine fatalities—are examples of how quickly a normal commute can turn deadly.
Senior partners Patrick Regan and Salvatore Zambri served as lead counsel in litigation following the 2009 Metro derailment, giving our firm direct experience handling complex, high-profile train derailment cases in Washington, DC.
Trains and their tracks are designed to fit together smoothly, but unfortunately, sometimes the smooth ride is disrupted and can cause catastrophic injuries and even death for the passengers on the train. Trains can be derailed due to a variety of reasons, including:
A clear example of how equipment failure can lead to disaster is the 2023 train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio. In that incident, 38 railcars left the tracks, leading to the release of hazardous materials and prompting evacuations in the surrounding area. A subsequent investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board found that a rail car’s defective wheel bearing caused the derailment.
Though some myths about train derailments have been disproved—a penny on the track isn’t likely to derail a train—derailments are still relatively common. The Bureau of Transportation Statistics reported 1,229 train derailments in 2023 (including both passenger trains and freight trains). The Federal Railroad Administration’s data for 2025 shows a total of 749 derailments, marking a significant 31.5% reduction from 2024’s 1,093 reported incidents. Not every derailment causes injuries and/or fatalities, but when a significant derailment accident occurs for a commuter train, you’ll want to be prepared with an experienced attorney who will help you recover the compensation you deserve.
The cause of a derailment can, sometimes, indicate how severe the accident may be. A collision between two trains or a train and another large object is more likely to be severe or even catastrophic, as a train often isn’t able to slow down once on a collision course. Faulty equipment such as defective brakes or sensors that tell when a stretch of rail is clear can also lead to serious accidents.
Other times, a train may jump its rails and get itself back on track, causing no injuries and only minor delays. Train companies are still responsible for investigating these kinds of derailments, though, as they could point to impending issues further down the line.
Though not always severe, when a train derailment does lead to injuries, generally it will have more casualties and victims because of the number of people per train and car. Traveling at 40-50 miles per hour, the effects of severe train derailments are often devastating to the passengers.
Common train derailment injuries include:
It is important that you seek medical attention following a train derailment, even if you feel fine. Like other kinds of collisions and accidents, it may take time for the full effects of the accident to manifest, or the damage could be internal and therefore unnoticed until it is too late. Once you have a diagnosis, your Regan Zambri Long train derailment attorney will help you determine how much compensation you can claim.
Though the National Safety Council noticed a decreasing trend of railroad-related injuries and deaths from 2019 to 2020, from 8,050 to 5,563, that number has steadily increased, with 6,542 injuries recorded in 2024.
The specifics of filing a derailment accident claim will depend on which state the accident happened in. The District of Columbia requires you to file your Notice of Claim with the Office of Risk Management within six months of the injury. In Maryland, you must file with the State Treasurer within one year of the injury. Virginia gives victims one year to give written notice to the director of the Division of Risk Management.
The train derailment attorneys at Regan Zambri Long are experienced in filing claims in all three jurisdictions and can help you file the appropriate claims with the appropriate parties, maximizing your potential compensation.
Negligence is often at the root of derailment accidents. When someone fails to meet the standard for facilitating a safe train experience, he or she can be held responsible for the injuries and suffering of the victims.
Liability may be shared between several parties—such as the owner of the train and a manufacturer who provided faulty equipment. A qualified train accident lawyer will help you make sure you seek compensation from all responsible parties.
The train accident and derailment lawyers at Regan Zambri Long have been representing civilians against the WMATA for almost 30 years. Founding partner Patrick Regan has handled more than 75 subway accident cases and is a wealth of knowledge for our attorneys and all our train accident and derailment clients. Washingtonian Magazine called Patrick the “lawyer you call when you want to sue WMATA.”
Patrick is widely regarded as one of Washington’s finest trial attorneys. He is a Fellow of illustrious invitation-only legal organizations that recognize excellence at the highest level, including the International Academy of Trial Lawyers, the American College of Trial Lawyers, and the American Board of Trial Advocates. Both he and senior partner Salvatore Zambri have served as Presidents of the DC Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates, and Salvatore currently serves as the chapter’s National Board Representative. These roles reflect peer recognition earned through sustained trial excellence and leadership.
All three founding partners are board certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy and hold AV Preeminent ratings from Martindale-Hubbell, the highest peer-reviewed distinction for legal ability and professional ethics. This combination of credentials signals a firm built around courtroom readiness and long-term credibility.
The firm’s leadership extends beyond active litigation. Founding partner Victor Long currently serves as Chair of the Washington, DC Court of Appeals Client Security Trust Fund, a position reflecting enormous trust within the District’s legal system. Patrick Regan, Salvatore Zambri, and Christopher Regan are members of the American Association of Justice, with Patrick also serving on its Board of Governors, contributing to national advocacy efforts on behalf of injured individuals.
Patrick, Salvatore, and partner Paul Cornoni are each named among the Top 100 Super Lawyers in Washington, DC, and between them have been honored as Lawyer of the Year by Best Lawyers on five occasions. All six partners are also recognized among Lawdragon’s 500 Leading Plaintiff Consumer Lawyers, placing the entire leadership team among the most respected plaintiff advocates nationwide.
It can be complicated to hold the liable parties responsible when a train derails. But you are entitled to compensation, and Regan Zambri Long is committed to helping you win that compensation, taking your case to trial if necessary.
We can offer a compassionate and competent legal team who will do their utmost to recover in your favor, drawing on the tried and true strategies that have already recovered millions for our other train accident and derailment clients.
We don’t collect any fees until we’ve won a recovery in your favor, so schedule your risk-free, complimentary consultation today by calling 202-960-4596.
Have you or your loved one sustained injuries in Washington DC, Maryland or Virginia? Regan Zambri Long PLLC has the best lawyers in the country to analyze your case and answer the questions you may have.