The transportation industry has entered a new era where as professionals and educators we need to address transportation disasters not only from the technical side, but from the human services side as well. The history of the transportation industry shows technical expertise and efficiency as it relates to the investigation of transportation disasters (accidents/incidents), however the human services component has always been left to the side with the belief that these issues will be taken care of by another entity. The Aviation Disaster Family Assistance Act of 1996, the Foreign Air Carrier Family Support Act of 1997, and recent legislation for the Rail Passenger Family Assistance Act of 2003, indicates a change for transportation professionals relating to the human issues component of transportation disasters. As an industry we must address this component effectively or face legal ramifications and public ridicule.