Low Ground Clearance Railroad Crossings

What Makes a Crossing a Low Ground Clearance Hazard

A hump crossing is a railroad grade crossing where the track sits elevated above the surrounding road surface, creating a peaked profile. When a long-wheelbase or low-slung vehicle crosses this raised apex, the undercarriage can contact the high point and lift the drive wheels off the ground. This is high-centering: the vehicle loses traction and can’t move forward or backward under its own power, leaving it stranded on the tracks.

Vehicles at particular risk include lowboys, car haulers, and moving vans, along with other trailers with low ground clearance or extended wheelbases. The crossing profile itself can become more hazardous over time, as repeated track resurfacing gradually raises the grade until it exceeds what these vehicles can safely clear.

Two signs exist specifically to address this hazard:

W10-5 Low Ground Clearance sign: Required under the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) at crossings where the highway profile could cause a hang-up, this warning alerts drivers of long-wheelbase or low-clearance vehicles that a hang-up may occur.
Blue Emergency Notification System sign: Posted at crossings, this sign displays a toll-free number and a unique crossing identification number. If a vehicle becomes stuck, a dispatcher can use that number to stop an approaching train before a collision occurs.

Who Bears Responsibility for a Hump Crossing Collision

Liability in a low ground clearance crossing case rarely falls on a single party. Railroads that build up a crossing surface during maintenance can raise the grade to the point where it becomes dangerous for low-clearance vehicles. When they do and fail to warn or remediate, they may be held accountable for that condition. Road and highway authorities share responsibility for the approaching side of a crossing, including the duty to install required warning signage on their portion of the right-of-way.

Truck drivers and trucking companies also carry obligations. Assessing a vehicle’s ground clearance against a known crossing profile and planning routes that avoid hazardous crossings is part of responsible operations. When a crossing has a malfunctioning signal or an obstructed sightline caused by vegetation or other conditions, liability may shift toward whoever was responsible for maintaining that crossing.

Federal Preemption in Railroad Crossing Cases

Railroads frequently invoke federal preemption after a crossing accident. The argument is that compliance with Federal Railroad Administration standards for track speeds and crossing signal types shields them from state negligence claims. The doctrine has real teeth, and in some cases it has been used to prevent injured people from having their claims heard in court at all.

Founding partner Robert Pottroff spent years fighting this tactic directly. He worked on the 2007 Preemption Clarification Amendment, a federal legislative effort that overturned prior case law railroads had used to block injured citizens from holding them accountable. Understanding how preemption arguments are constructed and how to counter them isn’t background knowledge we’ve read about. It’s litigation history we helped make.

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“In addition to his substantive contributions to railroad grade crossing safety, I have personally observed his untiring efforts and contributions to improving the integrity of the legal system.”

- Elizabeth Hardy
“Beyond Belief”
“His knowledge of the rail industry and his willingness to share his knowledge with other people who do railroad work is beyond belief to me.”

- Mike Bee
“Given Hope”
“Through his efforts, he has single-handedly given hope to victims who are injured or killed as a result of dangerous railroad crossings”

- Donald Vasos
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“Nathan is a warrior fighting the railroads.”

- Jonathon (Jon) C. Clark
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“Nathan Karlin has my strongest endorsement in the field of railroad crossing cases and personal injury law.”

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“In each case, Nathan always possessed an incredible knowledge of the law and the facts, possessed a great talent for aggressive – strategic legal planning and trial tactics while, at the same time, displaying great skill as an effective negotiator.”

- Scott McCluen
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“Nathan’s knowledge and experience in handling and trying cases against these litigation savvy railroad companies gives me the confidence to know that the clients and cases I refer to him are getting the best of the best.”

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Low Ground Clearance Railroad Crossing Accidents

National Railroad Accident Attorneys for Hump Crossing Cases

When a commercial vehicle gets stuck on the tracks at a hump crossing and a train doesn’t stop in time, the result can be catastrophic. These cases are legally complex, factually specific, and often involve multiple responsible parties. At Pottroff & Karlin, we dedicate over 90% of our caseload to railroad-related accidents, and we’ve handled low ground clearance crossing cases that other firms decline to take.

Based in Manhattan, Kansas, we represent individuals, families, and trucking companies nationwide. Founding partner Robert Pottroff spent decades representing trucking companies whose vehicles became hung up at railroad crossings and were struck by trains before they could free themselves. That work shaped how we build these cases and what we know to look for. Attorney Nathan Karlin holds an AV-Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell, the highest available rating for legal ability and ethical standards. Together, our work in railroad crossing litigation has earned referrals from attorneys across the country who recognize that these cases require a different level of preparation.

If a vehicle became stuck at a hump crossing and a collision followed, we want to hear what happened. Call (785) 453-3109 to speak with our team at no cost and no obligation.

Talk to Our Railroad Accident Attorneys at No Cost

We offer free consultations and accept cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning we’re not paid unless we recover compensation for you. It doesn’t matter where the accident occurred. Our team handles hump crossing cases nationwide and can evaluate your situation without pressure or obligation.

Contact Pottroff & Karlin today at (785) 453-3109. There’s no cost to speak with us, and no fee unless we recover compensation for you.

If Your Vehicle Is Stuck on the Tracks

Getting out quickly is the priority. Leave the vehicle immediately and move away from the crossing in the direction a derailing train would not travel. Don’t try to move the vehicle or retrieve belongings.

Once clear, look for the Blue Emergency Notification System sign at the crossing. The toll-free number and crossing identification number on that sign connect directly to railroad dispatchers who can stop an approaching train. If the sign is missing, damaged, or not visible, call 911 immediately and give the dispatcher your location and the direction of approaching traffic.

What a Hump Crossing Claim Can Recover

We evaluate the full picture of a client’s losses when assessing a claim: medical and rehabilitation costs, lost income, property damage, and the long-term financial impact of serious injuries. In cases involving a fatality, a wrongful death claim can pursue compensation on behalf of surviving family members.

Because low ground clearance crossing accidents can involve the railroad, a road authority, and a trucking company as potential defendants, identifying every responsible party matters. Leaving one out can affect the scope of the claim. We work to build claims that account for all parties whose negligence contributed to the collision.

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If you or a loved one has been seriously injured, we’re here to talk. Our team will review your case and follow up to discuss your next steps.