The maximum fine a rail company can face is $225k, even when loss of life occurs. Unfortunately, the regulatory regime you describe has been captured for roughly the past 80 years.

The reality is that the legal system makes it so difficult and expensive for claimants to recoup the harms they suffer. Causality is hard to prove and the claimants are up against corporations which have teams of lawyers and a court system which has made tort cases have a high burden of proof. This can make it difficult for claimants to win, even if they have a strong case. Plus, tort law is a complex area of law, and it can be difficult for claimants to understand their rights and to navigate the legal system.