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What Are the Most Common Types of Texas Train Accidents?

What Are the Most Common Types of Texas Train Accidents?Trains move millions of tons of freight and thousands of passengers across Texas every week, and when something goes wrong, the results are rarely minor. The sheer weight and speed of a train turn even a small mistake into a tragedy.

At Abraham, Watkins, Nichols, Agosto, Aziz & Stogner LLP, our Houston railroad accident attorneys help injured people and grieving families understand what happened following an accident and who should be held accountable. Call 713-222-7211 for a free consultation, or contact our firm online to talk about what happened.

Which Train Accidents Happen Most Often?

Which Train Accidents Happen Most Often?

A handful of accident types cause most train-related injuries in Texas. Different types raise different legal questions. The most common accidents include:

  • highway-rail grade crossing collisions;
  • train derailments;
  • pedestrian and trespasser accidents;
  • train-to-train collisions; and
  • onboard and platform accidents.

Grade crossing collisions and trespasser incidents account for the largest share of serious harm, partly because a freight train can take more than a mile to stop. That reality shapes how our team builds a railroad accident case from the first day.

What Leads to Train Crashes?

Most train accidents trace back to preventable failures, not freak chance. Human error, equipment problems, and poor crossing design recur. Pinning down the cause is where a strong claim begins:

  • operator fatigue or distraction;
  • defective brakes, signals, or track;
  • blocked or overgrown sightlines at crossings;
  • excessive speed for conditions; and
  • missing or malfunctioning warning gates.

Houston knows these risks well. The METRORail Red Line runs down the middle of Main Street, where vehicles making illegal turns have caused collisions, while Union Pacific’s busy Englewood Yard keeps freight moving around the clock.

Who Can Be Held Responsible for Railroad Accidents?

Responsibility depends on what failed and who controlled it. A railroad, an equipment maker, a maintenance contractor, a government body, or a careless driver can each bear fault, and sometimes several share it. Drivers carry duties too.

The Texas Transportation Code § 545.251 requires anyone approaching a railroad grade crossing to stop between 15 and 50 feet from the nearest rail when a signal, gate, flagger, or oncoming train warns of danger, and to stay put until it is safe to go. When a motorist ignores that rule and triggers a crossing crash, the violation can establish fault, while the burden of proof stays with the side bringing the claim.

What About Injured Railroad Workers?

Railroad employees hurt on the job play by a different rulebook than the public. They are usually not covered by standard workers’ compensation, and the railroad rarely offers fair payment on its own. Instead, a federal law gives these workers a direct claim against the carrier itself.

The Federal Employers’ Liability Act (FELA) permits a railroad worker to recover when the carrier’s negligence causes injury or wrongful death. The standard tilts toward workers in a way most injury claims do not: an employee need only show that the railroad’s negligence played any part, even the slightest, in causing the harm. Our Houston train accident lawyers know how to build that proof, from maintenance logs to crew schedules.

What Can You Recover After a Train Accident?

Compensation depends on the severity of your injuries and the losses they create. Injured people and families may be able to recover the following damages in a Texas train accident case:

  • current and future medical care;
  • lost wages and reduced earning ability;
  • emotional suffering and mental anguish;
  • pain and suffering in the past and future; and
  • permanent disfigurement.

If a vehicle and its driver were involved at the crossing, an insurance dispute after a crash may run alongside the railroad claim. Most of these cases settle without litigation, though a trial or jury may be necessary if no fair offer is made.

Why Families Across Texas Trust Our Firm

When the people responsible for your injuries or the loss of your loved one have teams of lawyers and deep pockets, you need a firm with the standing to match them. At Abraham Watkins, our award-winning, Board-Certified attorneys have represented Texas families for 75 years, building trust one case at a time. That history matters when a railroad pushes back.

The results speak for themselves: billions recovered through settlements and verdicts for the people we represent. Cost is never a barrier because we believe everyone deserves access to high-quality legal representation without an upfront cost. You owe nothing unless we recover on your behalf.

FAQ: Answers for Train Accident Victims and Their Families

What Should You Do After a Train Accident?

Get medical attention first, then preserve whatever evidence you can. Photograph the scene, the crossing, and your injuries, and collect the names of any witnesses. Avoid giving statements about fault until you have spoken with our Houston railroad accident attorneys.

Who Investigates a Train Accident?

Major rail crashes draw federal investigators. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) examines serious collisions and derailments, while the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) oversees railroad safety nationwide. Their findings can become strong evidence in your claim.

Can Train Passengers File a Claim for Their Injuries?

Yes. Passengers hurt while boarding, riding, or exiting a train can pursue a claim against the carrier responsible for their safety. Common carriers owe riders a high duty of care, so our Houston train accident lawyers can review whether that duty was broken, even after a sudden stop or a platform fall.

Don’t Wait to Speak With Our Houston Train Accident Lawyers

A train accident can leave you facing powerful railroad companies and a maze of federal rules. The sooner you have help, the stronger your footing. Our attorneys get to work immediately, lining up investigators and standing between you and the railroad’s lawyers.

With Abraham Watkins behind you, you gain people who treat your recovery as seriously as you do. The consultation is free, so reach out while the facts are still within reach. Call 713-222-7211 or send our team a message to get started.

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