Texas Train Wrecks

Data from the Federal Railway Administration shows that over the last decade Texas residents were involved in over 1,800 accidents at highway and railroad track crossings. (http://safetydata.fra.dot.gov/officeofsafety/publicsite/Query/tenyr2a.aspx) Over 850 injuries were reported and almost 200 people were killed in these tragic accidents. Railroad crossings are a common road hazard, and a collision between a passenger vehicle and a train rarely ends well for motorists. The last thing that the insurance company or railroad wants you to do after an accident is to hire a lawyer. Guest and Gray Law Firm has three offices, conveniently located in Rockwall, Forney, and Plano. Our skilled attorneys will work to make sure that the people who hurt you are held responsible.

Some train and car wrecks happen without warning. While the typical railroad crossing has flashing lights and barriers, not all Texas railway crossings have these safety devices. A recent accident at just such a dangerous crossing killed a truck driver outside of Lubbock, TX. On December 9, 2013, Mr. Mario Flores’ cotton truck was struck by a train when he attempted to cross the tracks but was unable to do so because another vehicle was stopped ahead of him. The Shallowater area railroad crossing did not have safety lights or crossing arms to alert drivers that a train was on the way, and there was some speculation that Mr. Flores likely did not even know the train was approaching. When Sgt. Bryan Witt with the Texas Department of Public Safety was interviewed by local news, he stated: “We don't know if he just didn't see the train or he expected the truck to go in front of him, but couldn't go. We always want to remind the public, do not stop on these tracks for any reason, because these trains cannot stop quickly.” (http://www.kcbd.com/story/24175943/truck-driver-dies-in-monday-afternoon-train-collision)

The Texas Transportation Code covering unmarked crossings includes an unhelpful rule which requires drivers to stop at least 15 feet from a railroad crossing when a train is within 1,500 feet of the crossing. While the old advice to “stop, look, and listen” is always wise, the most dangerous party in a car vs train accident is the train. Drivers who are injured or killed in collisions with trains may not necessarily be responsible for the accident. Train accident cases can be extremely complicated because railroad companies usually deny responsibility for wrecks, particularly when they happened at railroad crossings.

If you or a loved one has been affected by a train wreck, you will need an experienced lawyer. The Guest and Gray Law Firm team helps families heal from personal injury and wrongful death cases and we can help you. We will evaluate your case and help you decide what to do. We are the largest and best reviewed law firm in Kaufman County for wrongful death and personal injury claims—we make sure that the people who hurt you are held responsible. The team of personal injury attorneys at Guest and Gray Law Firm has over thirty years of combined experience representing families.