Collisions between trucks and trains are so dramatic that they often make the evening news. In 2021, an Amtrak train slammed into a semi-truck near the Texas-Oklahoma border after the hauler got stuck on the tracks. The collision sent vehicles flying and injured several people. The video quickly ended up on ABC News and other media channels.
This 2021 accident is a reminder that truck and train collisions are a reality across the nation, and motorists must be on guard. At Pottroff & Karlin, LLC, we can help anyone injured in a truck-train collision. Contact us to schedule a consultation with a leading lawyer in this area of law.
Recent Train-Truck Collisions
Truck and train collisions are so common that we cannot transcribe all the accidents reported on the internet. A brief sample from the past six months shows the following collisions:
- In December 2024, a train struck a fire truck in Delray Beach, Florida, after the truck drove around the rail crossing, putting itself in the way of the high-speed train.
- A dramatic March 2025 accident in Somerset Township, Pennsylvania, took place between a CMX freight train and a coal truck speeding down Route 281. The collision caused an explosion and a fireball.
- A May 2025 accident in Fort Bend County, Texas, involved a dump truck that was struck by an oncoming train, which dragged the truck debris down the tracks and killed the truck driver.
- A May 2025 crash in Wisconsin between a semi-truck and a train resulted in the release of around 24,000 pounds of fertilizer, requiring separate cleanup crews. State Highway 25 was also closed for cleanup.
These accidents reveal the continuing risk that truckers face and highlight that these collisions are common. Unfortunately, innocent bystanders can also be killed when a train crashes into a truck.
How To Minimize the Risk of an Accident
In several recent crashes, evidence suggests the truck driver was to blame for the crash, either because they were speeding or, in one case, drove around the arms to get onto the tracks. In situations like these, the trucker is not really the victim for failing to drive with sufficient care.
To minimize the risk of an accident, we recommend:
- Observe all safety devices warning you of an approaching train. You should never drive around the arms.
- Always maintain a safe speed on the road, and do not speed up if you see arms lowering.
- Look both ways before crossing over train tracks, even if there are no alarms sounding.
- Do not delay crossing tracks once you decide to cross.
- Seek immediate help if your truck gets caught on the tracks. Also, be prepared to abandon the vehicle as the train approaches.
Contact Our Train Accident Lawyer for Help
Train accidents raise a host of legal and factual issues that rarely surface in other personal injury cases. Hire a law firm with deep experience in train accidents so that you increase the odds of a fair settlement. You can call Pottroff & Karlin, LLC, to schedule your free consultation.