Texas Train & Railroad Crossing Accident Lawyer: Statewide Representation by McFarlane Law
McFarlane Law represents train & railroad crossing accident victims and their families across Texas — from Austin and the Hill Country to Houston, Dallas, the Permian Basin, and every corner of the state. With more than $100 million recovered for injured Texans, we have built a focused practice on the specific liability rules, insurance frameworks, and evidence-preservation requirements that determine what a Texas train & railroad crossing accident case is worth.
What a Texas Train & Railroad Crossing Accident Case Looks Like
Texas’s position on the Union Pacific rail corridor running directly through downtown produces a unique risk profile. The grade-level crossings in downtown Texas (and on the rural FM roads east of town) have been involved in multiple serious-injury incidents. Texas railroad crossing accidents are governed by federal law (Federal Railroad Administration regulations), state law (Texas Transportation Code Chapter 471), and complex common-law negligence rules that often involve the railroad company, the city, the county, and TxDOT as potential defendants.
Common Causes of Texas Train & Railroad Crossing Accident Cases
McFarlane Law’s Texas train & railroad crossing accident caseload reflects a consistent set of root causes:
- Inadequate warning devices — missing or malfunctioning crossing gates, lights, or bells
- Obstructed sightlines from vegetation or stored equipment near tracks
- Excessive train speed in populated areas
- Engineer or conductor negligence — failure to sound horn at required distance
- Defective rail crossing signal systems
- Driver impatience or attempting to beat the train across
- Stuck or stalled vehicles on tracks
- Pedestrian incidents at grade crossings
Common Injuries in Texas Train & Railroad Crossing Accident Cases
We represent Texans suffering injuries that include:
- Catastrophic crush injuries
- Traumatic amputations
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Severe burn injuries from fuel and electrical fires
- Wrongful death — train collisions are frequently fatal
- Survivor trauma and permanent disability
Damages Available Under Texas Law
Texas law allows train & railroad crossing accident victims to recover:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Past and future lost wages and lost earning capacity
- Pain and suffering and mental anguish
- Permanent impairment, disfigurement, and loss of enjoyment of life
- Out-of-pocket expenses related to the injury
- Loss of consortium for spouses and family members
- Punitive (exemplary) damages where the at-fault party’s conduct was grossly negligent
- Wrongful death damages (Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Chapter 71)
What to Do After a Texas Train & Railroad Crossing Accident
The steps you take in the first hours and days after a Texas train & railroad crossing accident have a major impact on your ability to recover full compensation:
- Call 911 — these incidents almost always require EMS response
- Identify the train’s owner (typically Union Pacific or BNSF)
- Photograph the crossing, warning devices, train, and any obstructions
- Note the time, weather, and crossing condition
- Identify all witnesses and any nearby surveillance
- Do NOT speak to railroad-company representatives without an attorney
- Talk to a train accident lawyer immediately — railroads have specialized rapid-response investigation teams that work to minimize liability from the moment a crash occurs
Why Choose McFarlane Law for Your Texas Train & Railroad Crossing Accident Case
- Statewide reach. We represent injured Texans in every metro and rural region of the state.
- $100M+ recovered. McFarlane Law’s track record across Texas personal injury, oilfield, maritime, and trucking cases speaks for itself.
- Trial-ready preparation. We prepare every case as if it will be tried, which is what gets insurance carriers to pay full value at the negotiating table.
- Direct access to the lawyer. Clients work directly with founder Zach McFarlane.
- No fee unless we win. All train & railroad crossing accident cases handled on contingency.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to file a Texas train & railroad crossing accident claim?
Under the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code, most train & railroad crossing accident claims must be filed within two years of the date of the incident. Some claims (against governmental entities or with special procedural rules) have shorter formal-notice deadlines. The sooner a Texas lawyer is involved, the more options you preserve.
What if I was partly at fault for the train & railroad crossing accident?
Texas follows a modified comparative fault rule (Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Chapter 33). As long as you are 50% or less at fault, you can still recover compensation — though your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault.
Does McFarlane Law handle train & railroad crossing accident cases outside Austin?
Yes. We represent Texas train & railroad crossing accident clients across the state — including Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, the Permian Basin, and rural Texas counties.
Contact a Texas Train & Railroad Crossing Accident Lawyer Today
Call McFarlane Law at (512) 222-4900 or use our free consultation form. There is no fee unless we recover for you.