Free Consultation. No Fees Until You Collect. Call 24 Hours a Day 1-800-4-RIGHTS
Request a FREE case evaluation and find out what Minnesota’s original personal injury law firm can do for you. We have the resources, the experience and the proven track record to provide you outstanding representation and peace of mind.
Or Call 24/7 Toll Free:1 (800) 231-6631
A train accident can cause catastrophic injuries in an instant. The physical and financial toll can last for years, and the railroad companies often have teams of lawyers working to limit what they pay in compensation. But when a train accident upends your life, you deserve justice.
SiebenCarey has been fighting back against that power on behalf of injured Minnesotans since 1952, and we know how to win. Our landmark $24 million verdict against BNSF Railway is proof that even the largest railroad companies can be held accountable. If you or a family member has been injured in a train accident in Lakeville or anywhere in Dakota County, our attorneys are ready to build the case you need.
SiebenCarey has the experience and resources to take them on. Call 952-469-2288 today.
Dakota County sits along active freight corridors serving the Twin Cities metro and beyond. Major Class I railroads, including BNSF and Union Pacific, move heavy freight through the region regularly. That volume of rail traffic, combined with dozens of at-grade crossings throughout the county, creates ongoing risk for drivers, pedestrians, and railroad workers alike.
Railroad crossing warning systems must work every time, without exception. When gates fail to lower, signals don't activate, or warning lights malfunction, drivers can enter a crossing with no indication that a train is approaching. Railroad companies are responsible for maintaining these systems, and failures that lead to accidents can be grounds for a negligence claim.
A significant portion of train-related fatalities involve pedestrians struck on or near railroad tracks. These accidents often happen at informal crossing points or along rail corridors where people are walking. While trespassing is a factor in many of these cases, railroad companies still have legal duties around signage, fencing, and sight line maintenance that, when neglected, can contribute to liability.
Derailments can result from broken rails, mechanical failures, excessive speed, or inadequate track inspection. When passenger trains derail, the potential for mass casualties is severe. Even freight derailments can cause serious harm to nearby residents, workers, and the environment. Minnesota saw a 72% spike in derailments between 2020 and 2023, a trend that points to systemic maintenance failures across the industry.
Collisions between trains are among the most catastrophic accidents on the rails. They typically result from signal system failures, dispatcher errors, or crew mistakes. When two freight trains collide, the forces involved are almost unimaginable, and the injuries to anyone in the vicinity can be life-altering.
Railroad employees face hazards that most workers never encounter, including moving equipment, high-voltage electrical systems, toxic cargo, and exposure to extreme weather. When railroad companies fail to maintain safe working environments or provide proper training and equipment, workers pay the price. Injured railroad employees have specific legal protections under federal law that differ significantly from standard workers' compensation.
Call SiebenCarey at 952-469-2288 for a free, confidential case evaluation.
Railroad companies have legal obligations to maintain safe equipment, crossings, and working conditions. When they fall short, accidents happen. These are the most common forms of negligence our attorneys have investigated in train accident cases.
Crossing signals must function reliably every time a train approaches. When gates fail to lower, lights don't flash, or bells don't sound, drivers have no warning of an oncoming train. Railroad companies are required to inspect and maintain these systems on a regular schedule. When they don't, and someone is hurt as a result, that failure can establish liability.
Federal regulations set specific standards for how often tracks, bridges, and equipment must be inspected and maintained. When railroads defer maintenance to cut costs, the consequences can be severe. Broken rails, worn wheel bearings, and faulty braking systems have all contributed to serious accidents. Maintenance records and inspection logs are often key evidence in these cases.
Train operators are required to follow strict operational procedures, including:
When crew members violate these rules, the railroad bears responsibility. Locomotive event recorders, the train's equivalent of a black box, can document exactly what the crew did in the moments before an accident.
Railroad companies have a duty to keep sight lines clear at crossings so that drivers can see approaching trains in time to stop. Overgrown vegetation, poorly placed structures, and other obstructions can block a driver's view until it's too late. Documenting these conditions promptly after an accident is critical, as railroads may clear obstructions before evidence can be preserved.
Some accidents stem from crossing configurations that were poorly designed from the start. Confusing approach angles, inadequate signal placement, or insufficient merge lanes can all create dangerous conditions. These cases may involve liability for the railroad, a government entity, or both.
Our attorneys know where to look when proving negligence after a train accident. Call 952-469-2288 for a free case review.
Railroad accident cases operate under a mix of federal and state law that most personal injury attorneys rarely encounter. Getting full compensation requires understanding how these layers interact and which rules apply to your specific situation.
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) sets comprehensive safety standards covering track maintenance, signal systems, crew training, equipment inspections, and operational procedures. When a railroad violates these regulations and an accident results, those violations serve as powerful evidence of negligence. Our attorneys know how to identify FRA violations and use them to build a compelling case.
Railroad workers injured on the job are not covered by standard workers' compensation. Instead, they are protected under the Federal Employers' Liability Act (FELA), a federal statute that allows injured workers to sue their employer for negligence. FELA requires proving the railroad's negligence contributed to the injury, but unlike workers' compensation, it allows full recovery, including pain and suffering. This applies to conductors, engineers, maintenance workers, signal operators, and most other railroad employees engaged in interstate commerce.
Railroad accident cases often end up in federal court, particularly when federal laws like FELA are involved or when the accident occurred during interstate commerce. Federal court procedures differ significantly from state courts, and navigating them effectively requires attorneys with specific federal litigation experience.
Both federal and state laws mandate specific safety measures at railroad crossings, including warning device installation, sight distance standards, signal maintenance protocols, and timing requirements. When railroads fail to meet these requirements and accidents result, those failures can establish liability.
Some railroad accident cases, particularly those involving passenger rail, are subject to federal limitations on damages. Understanding whether these caps apply affects how a case is valued and how we pursue maximum recovery on your behalf.
Our attorneys know the ins and outs. Call 952-469-2288 to speak with a Lakeville train accident lawyer today.
The compensation available in a train accident case depends on the harm it caused. Here are the main categories of damages our attorneys pursue for clients in Dakota County.
This includes emergency treatment, surgery, hospitalization, rehabilitation, and any ongoing medical care required as a result of your injuries. In serious cases, future medical costs can far exceed what was spent in the immediate aftermath of the accident.
If your injuries kept you out of work, you may be entitled to compensation for lost income during your recovery. If the injuries affect your ability to work long-term, you may also have a claim for reduced future earning capacity.
Train accidents can leave lasting pain and psychological scars. Minnesota law recognizes that pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life deserve compensation beyond what can be measured in medical bills and pay stubs.
When a train accident results in a fatality, Minnesota law allows surviving family members to pursue a wrongful death claim. Recoverable damages can include:
These cases require prompt action to preserve evidence and meet legal deadlines.
In cases involving particularly egregious conduct, such as a railroad company that knowingly concealed safety failures or destroyed evidence, courts may award punitive damages on top of compensatory damages. Our $24 million verdict against BNSF Railway included $4.6 million in sanctions after the court found the railroad had engaged in deliberate evidence tampering.
Call 952-469-2288 for a free case evaluation, and we can calculate the compensation you’re owed under Minnesota law.
Taking on a major railroad corporation requires more than general personal injury experience. It takes specific legal knowledge, substantial resources, and the willingness to fight for as long as it takes. Here's what SiebenCarey brings to every train accident case.
Our $24 million verdict against Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) Railway stands as one of the largest railroad crossing awards in Minnesota history. That case required uncovering years of corporate misconduct, including destroyed evidence and fabricated testimony, and taking it all the way through trial and a successful appeal before the Minnesota Supreme Court. We know what it takes to go the distance against the railroad industry's biggest players.
SiebenCarey has been serving injured Minnesotans since 1952. In that time, we have represented more than 70,000 clients and handled some of the state's most complex personal injury litigation. That institutional knowledge is something newer firms simply cannot match.
Our legal team includes some of Minnesota's most decorated attorneys, including:
Railroad litigation is expensive. Expert witnesses, accident reconstruction, regulatory analysis, and federal court proceedings all require significant financial investment. SiebenCarey has the resources to fund comprehensive investigations and retain the nation's leading experts without asking clients for upfront payments.
We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning there are no upfront fees, and you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.
Call 952-469-2288 for a free case evaluation today.
After a train accident, evidence can disappear quickly. Railroads dispatch their own investigators to accident scenes almost immediately, and physical evidence can be altered, removed, or destroyed before victims have a chance to document it.
Modern locomotives are equipped with event recorders that capture speed, brake application, horn usage, and other critical operational data in the moments before an accident. This information can be decisive in proving how the train was being operated. Railroads control access to this data, making it critical to have legal representation in place before it can be altered or claimed to be unavailable.
Many locomotives carry forward-facing cameras that record accidents as they happen. Crossing areas may also be covered by traffic or surveillance cameras. Beyond video, the physical condition of tracks, signals, gates, and crossing surfaces at the time of the accident can be crucial. Weather, continued rail traffic, and railroad cleanup crews can all compromise a scene within hours.
Eyewitnesses can provide perspectives on signal operation, train speed, and warning device function that no other evidence can replicate. Identifying and interviewing witnesses promptly, while their recollections are fresh, is a standard part of how we build train accident cases.
Railroads are required to keep detailed records of inspections, maintenance, signal tests, and crew certifications. These records can reveal patterns of neglect or specific violations that contributed to an accident. Obtaining them requires formal legal requests, and railroads do not always produce them voluntarily.
Call SiebenCarey at 952-469-2288 as soon as possible to discuss your rights after an accident.
The steps you take in the immediate aftermath of a train accident can help protect both your health and your legal options.
Call SiebenCarey at 952-469-2288 or contact us online today.
After an accident, railroad companies move fast. Their investigators are on the scene within hours, their legal teams are already building a defense, and their goal is to minimize what they pay out. Victims and their families deserve an attorney who will move just as fast and fight just as hard.
SiebenCarey has been doing exactly that for over 70 years. That’s why we were able to secure one of the largest railroad crossing awards in Minnesota history against BNSF Railway.
Whether your accident happened at a Dakota County railroad crossing, on a passenger train, or at a railroad workplace, our attorneys are ready to investigate, build your case, and take it as far as necessary to achieve a fair result.
Contact SiebenCarey today for a free, confidential consultation. Whether you're in Lakeville, Apple Valley, Burnsville, Eagan, or anywhere else in the region, we'll meet you where it's convenient.
Call our Lakeville office at 952-469-2288 or reach us at 1-800-4-RIGHTS (1-800-474-4487).
20876 Holyoke Avenue, P.O. Box 1253Lakeville, Minnesota
Phone: 952-469-2288Fax: 952-469-4029
Also awarded in:
2027, 2026, 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008.
5 of our attorneys have been recognized as Attorneys of the Year
Also awarded in:
2026, 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010
Also awarded in:
2026, 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008
7 Certified Civil Trial Law Specialists, Minnesota Bar Association
3 Board Certified Trial Advocates, National Board of Trial Advocacy.
