On 13 August 2026, a Southern service from London Victoria to Eastbourne derailed near Lewes in East Sussex, leaving many passengers injured, including two people reported to have sustained serious injuries. The following day, two carriages of a Greater Anglia train derailed near Wickford in Essex. They remained upright and no significant injuries were reported.
The causes of both incidents are being investigated, and Network Rail has cautioned against speculation while those investigations continue. Establishing the cause of an accident and establishing whether an injured passenger has a claim are related but separate questions.
At Levenes, we act for people injured in public transport accidents and other serious incidents. An injury lawyer can review the circumstances, identify the evidence needed and advise whether there may be grounds for a serious injury claim or another personal injury claim.
You can claim compensation if you were injured in the train derailment
If you were sustained injuries arising from a derailment accident, please contact us and we will consider the circumstances of your case. In a serious rail accident, responsibility may depend on technical evidence about the train, railway infrastructure, maintenance, engineering work, equipment or other factors. You do not need to work this out yourself. At Levenes, an injury lawyer can investigate the evidence and identify which organisation or organisations may need to answer the claim.
If the injuries are life-changing, our serious injury solicitors can consider the wider consequences from an early stage. A serious injury claim may need to account for the costs of long-term treatment, rehabilitation, care and equipment, as well as lost earnings and other future losses.
Who could be responsible for a train accident claim?
You do not need to identify the organisation responsible before contacting an injury lawyer. At Levenes, we can investigate how the accident happened and which organisation or organisations may be legally responsible.
Depending on the evidence, responsibility could potentially involve a train operator, an organisation responsible for railway infrastructure, a maintenance or engineering contractor, an equipment manufacturer or another party. More than one organisation may also be relevant.
Where several organisations or complex technical issues are involved, a personal injury solicitor can assess the available evidence and obtain appropriate expert input where required. If the injuries are severe, our serious injury solicitors can also make sure the claim considers the longer-term consequences for the injured person and their family.
What can compensation after a serious train accident cover?
Compensation can reflect both the injury and its financial consequences. Depending on the case, it may include lost earnings, treatment and rehabilitation costs, accident-related travel expenses, care, specialist equipment and established future losses.
For someone with life-changing injuries, a serious injury claim may need to look years ahead. Our serious injury solicitors can work with medical and other experts to assess the costs of future treatment, rehabilitation, care, accommodation, equipment or support.
If liability is admitted and the case will take time to conclude, interim payments may be possible in appropriate cases. An injury lawyer can advise whether an interim payment is realistic and whether it could help fund rehabilitation or reduce financial pressure while the claim continues.
Can Levenes act on a No Win No Fee basis?
If you are worried about the cost of making a claim, Levenes injury solicitors are often able to act on a No Win No Fee basis. This can allow you to pursue a claim without paying legal fees upfront, subject to the terms of the agreement.
For people searching for no win no fee personal injury advice after a serious accident, the important point is that concerns about legal costs should not prevent you from finding out whether you have a claim. A personal injury solicitor can explain the funding arrangement, including any deductions or costs that may apply, before you decide whether to proceed.
How Levenes can help after this serious train accident
If you have been injured, you do not need to wait before finding out where you stand. At Levenes, an injury lawyer can review what happened, investigate responsibility and begin gathering relevant evidence where we are able to act. Our team handles public transport accidents, while our serious injury solicitors act for people whose injuries have significant or long-term consequences.
If you or a family member has been injured in a train accident, we can advise whether there may be grounds for a personal injury claim. We can also explain whether we may be able to act on a No Win No Fee basis.
Contact Levenes on 0800 048 2355 or enquire online to speak to an injury lawyer about your circumstances.
