Rail accidents
Advice
If you have suffered from an injury in the course of international rail travel. the Convention Concerning International Carriage by Rail (COTIF) offers protection. It concerns injuries suffered by a passenger during rail travel when the passenger is in, is boarding or is alighting from the train. The regulations apply in Europe, the Maghreb and the Middle East. Despite the UK’s departure from the EU, the regulations continue largely unaffected.
What can I claim for?
The carrier is liable for physical or mental/psychiatric injury and death which occur while you are inside, entering or alighting from a train.
What is not covered?
‘The carrier can avoid liability if they can prove that the accident was caused by:
- Circumstances unrelated to the operation of the railway
- The fault of the passenger
- The actions of a third party which could not have been avoided even by the exercise of such care as was required in all the circumstances and where the accident could not have been prevented.’
How can I make my claim?
- Claims should be made in writing to the carrier.
- It is best to inform the carrier within 1 year of the incident.
- If necessary, then the case may be brought:
- In a jurisdiction/country which has been designated by agreement between you and the carrier.
- In a jurisdiction/country where the defendant is resident or domiciled or has its principal place of business.
How we can help
Your caseworker would help you create a claim to file with the train companies’ insurers and handle all matters on your behalf, as with most UK train companies it is assumed that most of the train system in other countries has some CCTV which can be requested to assist in validating the claim. To gain our assistance you need to open a case, this is done by taking advantage of our free consultation service, activated by the link at the top of the page, should you wish to start a case the caseworker will send you the suitable payment link.
Please note your caseworker can only give generic advice, their role is to prepare your details for handling by our legal team and to act as your point of contact, they will also issue you with your Password and PIN, these will be needed to log onto your client dashboard. From your dashboard you will be able to manage and view every aspect of your case, upload documents, images, files etc.