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Every day, trains carrying freight and passengers move through Minneapolis and the surrounding metro area. The railroad industry generates billions in revenue, but when companies prioritize profit margins over proper safety measures, ordinary people pay the price with catastrophic injuries.
At SiebenCarey, we've taken on the railroad industry's biggest players and secured justice for injured victims. Our landmark $24 million victory against BNSF proved that even the most powerful corporations can be held accountable when they put people at risk.
Whether you were hurt at a crossing, injured as a passenger, or suffered harm while working for a railroad, our Minneapolis legal team knows how to build cases that win against corporate defendants with unlimited resources.
Don't face powerful railroad corporations alone. SiebenCarey's Minneapolis attorneys are ready to evaluate your case at no cost.
Minneapolis sits at the center of a major rail corridor serving the Upper Midwest. Multiple Class I railroads operate here, including BNSF and Union Pacific, all moving massive freight volumes. The metro area also operates light rail transit, carrying commuters through the Twin Cities region.
This heavy rail traffic creates constant risk. A loaded freight train traveling at highway speeds needs over a mile of track to come to a complete stop. By the time an engineer spots danger ahead, it's often already too late to prevent a collision. The numbers paint a sobering picture: In 2024 alone, the U.S. saw 2,261 highway-rail collisions, causing hundreds of injuries and fatalities.
Warning systems at railroad crossings must function perfectly every single time. When gates fail to lower or signals don't activate, drivers can enter crossings unaware of approaching trains. Railroad companies own these systems and bear responsibility when they fail.
Minneapolis has over 4,500 railroad crossings throughout the state requiring constant maintenance and monitoring. Equipment failures at any one of these locations can be catastrophic.
Many railroad fatalities involve people struck while on or near tracks. These incidents happen at unofficial crossing points or when individuals walk along railway property. While trespassing accounts for many deaths, railroad companies still have duties to provide adequate warnings and maintain clear sight lines.
When trains leave the tracks, the results can be disastrous. Minnesota saw a concerning 72% spike in derailments between 2020 and 2023, jumping from 18 incidents to 31. These accidents stem from broken rails, failed equipment, inadequate track inspection, or negligent maintenance practices.
Though relatively rare, train-on-train accidents tend to be absolutely devastating. These collisions typically result from signal system failures, dispatcher errors, or crew mistakes. When freight trains collide, the forces involved are almost unimaginable.
Railroad work ranks among America's most dangerous occupations. Workers face risks from moving equipment, high-voltage electrical systems, toxic cargo, and harsh conditions. When rail companies fail to maintain safe working environments, employees suffer serious injuries.
Our attorneys respond immediately to preserve critical evidence. Call 612-333-4500 now to get the help you need.
Railroad accident cases operate under a complex mix of federal and state regulations that most personal injury attorneys never encounter. Getting full compensation takes a specialized skill set.
If you're injured while working for a railroad, you can't file a standard workers' compensation claim. Instead, you're covered under the Federal Employers' Liability Act, a federal statute enacted in 1908.
FELA allows injured railroad employees to sue their employers for negligence. Unlike workers' comp, FELA requires proving the railroad's negligence contributed to your injury. The trade-off is that FELA allows full recovery for all damages, including pain and suffering, which workers' comp doesn't provide.
FELA applies to all railroad workers engaged in interstate commerce, covering conductors, engineers, maintenance workers, signal operators, and countless other positions.
The FRA maintains comprehensive safety regulations covering every aspect of railroad operations. These rules govern track maintenance schedules, signal system requirements, crew rest periods, equipment inspections, and operational procedures.
When railroads violate FRA regulations and someone gets hurt, those violations serve as powerful evidence of negligence in court. Our attorneys know how to identify these regulatory violations and use them to build compelling cases.
Railroad accident cases often land in federal court rather than state court, especially when federal laws like FELA are involved or when the accident occurred during interstate commerce. Federal court procedures differ significantly from state courts, requiring attorneys experienced in federal litigation.
Both federal and state laws mandate specific safety measures at railroad crossings. These requirements cover warning device installation, sight distance standards, signal maintenance protocols, and timing specifications.
When railroads fail to meet these legal requirements and accidents result, they face liability. Our job is demonstrating that they didn't follow the rules.
Some railroad accident cases face federal limitations on damages, particularly those involving passenger rail. Knowing whether these caps apply to your case affects how we value your claim and pursue maximum recovery.
Call 612-333-4500 today for your free consultation.
Winning against railroad corporations requires proving they failed to meet their legal obligations. These companies employ armies of lawyers and investigators working to shift blame away from the railroad. Here's what we examine.
At every railroad crossing, warning systems must alert drivers that a train is approaching. Gates should lower, lights should flash, and bells should sound with adequate time for vehicles to clear the tracks.
When these systems fail, malfunction partially, or don't provide enough warning time, the railroad bears responsibility. We investigate signal maintenance records, testing logs, and prior malfunction reports to prove the railroad knew or should have known about problems.
Railroads have a legal duty to maintain their tracks, bridges, signals, and equipment. This isn't optional. Federal regulations spell out exactly how often inspections must occur and what maintenance standards must be met.
When railroads defer maintenance to cut costs, accidents happen. We obtain inspection records, maintenance logs, and expert testimony showing where the railroad failed its legal duties.
Train operators must follow strict operational procedures. Speed limits exist for specific track sections. Horns must sound at designated distances from crossings. Crews must remain alert and properly rested.
When crew members violate these rules, their employer is responsible. We use locomotive event recorders (the train's "black box") to prove when crews operated negligently.
Beyond maintaining existing signals, railroads must provide sufficient warnings for the hazards present. High-traffic crossings may require additional safety measures beyond basic gates and lights. We analyze whether the railroad's warning systems met the actual risks at the crossing location.
Railroad companies must maintain clear lines of sight at crossings so drivers can see approaching trains. Trees, bushes, buildings, or other obstructions that block views create dangerous conditions. We document sight line obstructions and prove the railroad failed to maintain safe visibility.
Some accidents stem from fundamentally flawed crossing design. Poor approach angles, confusing signal placement, or inadequate merge lanes can all contribute to collisions. Design defect cases may involve both the railroad and government entities responsible for road design.
SiebenCarey's track record speaks for itself. Schedule your free case evaluation today.
Taking on billion-dollar railroad corporations requires more than general personal injury experience. It demands specific knowledge, substantial resources, and the willingness to fight for years if necessary.
Our $24 million verdict against Burlington Northern Santa Fe represents years of litigation against one of North America's largest railroads, uncovering their evidence destruction, and convincing a jury that corporate profits don't justify preventable deaths.
That case proved we have what it takes to challenge the railroad industry's biggest players and win. Judge Ellen Maas found BNSF engaged in "staggering misconduct," adding $4.6 million in sanctions. The Minnesota Supreme Court ultimately upheld our victory after BNSF's appeals.
SiebenCarey opened its doors in 1952. For over 70 years, we've represented more than 70,000 injured Minnesotans, building institutional knowledge and courtroom experience that newer firms simply can't match. We've handled virtually every type of personal injury case imaginable, including some of the state's most complex railroad litigation.
Our legal team includes Certified Civil Trial Law Specialists and Board Certified Trial Advocates. Sixteen of our attorneys have been named Super Lawyers or Rising Stars, an honor reserved for the top 5% of Minnesota attorneys. Others have been recognized by Best Lawyers in America.
Railroad litigation is expensive. Expert witnesses, accident reconstruction, regulatory analysis, and federal court proceedings all require substantial financial investment. We have the resources to fund comprehensive investigations and retain the nation's leading experts without asking clients for upfront payments. We can pursue justice however long it takes.
Railroad cases often proceed in federal court under federal statutes. Federal litigation operates differently from state courts, with unique procedural rules and higher standards. Our attorneys regularly practice in federal court and understand how to navigate its complexities effectively.
We prepare every case as if it's going before a jury, conducting thorough discovery, retaining expert witnesses, and developing compelling trial presentations. This preparation often convinces defendants to offer fair settlements rather than risk losing in court.
We work on contingency, meaning we only collect fees if we win your case. We advance all costs for investigation, experts, and litigation without requiring any payment from you.
If we don't recover compensation for you, you owe us nothing.
Call 1-800-4-RIGHTS today.
Railroad corporations operate with near impunity in many cases, protected by resources and legal teams that intimidate most victims into accepting inadequate settlements or giving up entirely. But they're not invincible, as our track record proves.
When you hire SiebenCarey, you're working with a team that's fought the railroad industry and won, that knows their tactics, and that has the resources to go the distance, no matter how long it takes.
We're ready to meet you anywhere in Minneapolis or the surrounding metro area at your convenience. Whether your accident happened at a crossing, on a train, or at a railroad workplace, we'll evaluate your case at no cost and with no obligation.
Don't let railroad companies escape accountability for preventable tragedies. Contact SiebenCarey today at 1-800-4-RIGHTS (1-800-474-4487) for your free, confidential consultation.
901 S Marquette Avenue, Suite 500Minneapolis, Minnesota 55402
Phone: 612-333-4500Fax: 612-333-5970
Also awarded in:
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:
2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010
Also awarded in:
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.
