Experienced Representation in Train and Railroad Accident Cases

Train crashes, derailments, and highway-rail crossing collisions are among the most catastrophic incidents in transportation law. The forces involved are enormous, the injuries are often life-altering or fatal, and the legal landscape is uniquely complex, frequently involving railroad companies, government transit authorities, equipment manufacturers, and federal regulatory agencies. These are large, multi-party cases that demand an attorney with the resources, expertise, and tenacity to take on powerful defendants.

Attorney Tobin Lanzetta has built a track record of success in train and rail incident cases, including his $13.82 million verdict in Garcia v. MTA involving a public transit vehicle and his work on other significant transportation cases. He understands the intersection of federal railroad regulations, state negligence law, and government liability rules that make these cases so challenging, and he has the trial experience to hold railroads and transit authorities accountable.

Types of Railroad Cases We Handle

Our firm handles the full spectrum of train and railroad accident cases, including highway-rail grade crossing collisions, where a train strikes a vehicle or pedestrian at a crossing, commuter rail and Metrolink accidents, freight train derailments and collisions, light rail and subway incidents, railroad worker injuries under the Federal Employers’ Liability Act (FELA), pedestrian incidents involving trains, and accidents caused by defective railroad equipment or signals.

Highway-Rail Crossing Cases

Highway-rail crossing accidents are a significant focus of our practice. These crashes often result from inadequate warning devices at crossings, such as missing or malfunctioning gates, lights, or signage. They can also be caused by obstructed sight lines from vegetation, structures, or parked equipment, the railroad’s failure to maintain crossing surfaces, inadequate train horn or bell warnings, and the design or placement of the crossing itself. Determining liability in these cases requires a detailed investigation into who was responsible for the crossing’s design, installation, maintenance, and oversight.

Federal Regulations and Preemption

Railroad cases operate within a complex regulatory framework. The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) sets safety standards for rail operations, track maintenance, signal systems, and grade crossings. The Federal Employers’ Liability Act (FELA) governs injury claims by railroad workers and provides a different legal standard than typical workers’ compensation. One of the most challenging aspects of railroad litigation is the doctrine of federal preemption, where railroads argue that federal regulations prevent state-law negligence claims. Navigating these preemption defenses requires an attorney who understands both the federal regulatory framework and the limits of preemption under current case law.

Multi-Party Litigation

Train and railroad incidents almost always involve multiple defendants. A highway-rail crossing crash might implicate the railroad company for inadequate warnings, the local government for failing to upgrade the crossing, the signal equipment manufacturer for a defective product, and a maintenance contractor for failing to keep sight lines clear. Tobin Lanzetta has extensive experience managing these large, multi-party railroad cases, coordinating complex discovery across multiple defendants, and building cohesive cases that hold every responsible party accountable.

The Stakes Are High

Because of the massive forces involved in train collisions, these cases frequently involve catastrophic injuries: traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, amputations, severe burns, and death. The damages in these cases can be substantial, reflecting the severity of the harm and the lifetime of care often required. Railroad companies and transit authorities have deep pockets and aggressive legal teams. You need an attorney who will match their resources and preparation.

Free Consultation

If you or a loved one has been injured in a train crash, railroad incident, or highway-rail crossing collision, contact Lanzetta Law immediately for a free consultation. Licensed in California and New Mexico, with offices in Downtown Los Angeles and Santa Fe, we handle railroad cases in both states. Government claims deadlines may apply, giving you as little as six months to act. Time is critical.