Louisiana has over 3000 at-grade railroad crossings with public roads Unfortunately, our Bayou State is one of the top 10 states in the nation for railroad crossing collisions. The volume of at-grade crossings of public and private roads, particularly in rural parishes in Louisiana, create unique and dangerous intersections where trains and cars meet, and Louisianans are severely injured and killed.

We know that Central Louisiana’s numerous unguarded and rural railroad crossings can create deadly hazards, from Highway 28 railroad crossings between Alexandria and Pineville, to the numerous spur crossings serving industrial facilities in Rapides Parish. We pursue maximum compensation for train-vehicle collisions and pedestrian impacts. Our Louisiana injury attorneys have handled thousands of severe injury and fatality cases, and we have the expertise needed to fight for your rights when:

Louisiana is one of only three states in which all six Class-1 railroads operate. But Louisiana’s aging rail infrastructure and industry transportation of hazardous cargo, chemicals, and waste create significant consequences when a derailment or on-track collision occurs. Our attorneys have experience handling the fallout, damages, and injuries caused by train derailments in Louisiana, including those involving:

From tank cars carrying chlorine, ammonia, or crude oil.

Forcing evacuations of rural Louisiana residents, contamination of water sources and private property, and long-term health ailments.

On Louisiana’s major rail lines and short rail lines.

Including power brake, electrical, and mechanical.

By fatigued crews, unmanned railroad crossings, excessive speed.

Train accidents cause some of the worst injuries a person can survive, and many end with the death of the victims. Many times these significant events come down to aging infrastructure, hazardous cargo, or a mistake someone else made. If a crossing collision or derailment left you dealing with any of these injuries, we will pursue full recovery from all negligent parties.

Cognitive impairment, 24/7 care, and medical costs at specialized facilities for as long as you need them.

Lifetime costs for wheelchairs, equipment, and care — plus what this injury takes from your spouse and family.

Prosthetics, retraining for a new line of work, and everything else losing a limb changes about your life.

If you lost someone in a train accident, we fight to get your family the maximum recovery the law allows.

Chemical burns occurring from hazmat spills, burns from fuel fires, exposures from toxic substances causing respiratory difficulty, polluted resources, and long-term risks of diseases and cancers.

Our Attorneys have spent over two decades holding major railroad companies like Union Pacific, BNSF, and Kansas City Southern accountable. We have the specialized expertise needed to navigate the complex federal regulations that govern the rail industry. See the entire team.

Richard J. Arsenault

Michael S. Koch

Wesley J. Gralapp

Our Firm has served as court-appointed lead counsel in multiple Louisiana train derailments. This level of recognized leadership demonstrates our ability to handle the most complex railroad litigation.

Litigating a railroad case involves federal regulations and well-funded defense teams. General personal injury firms often miss critical railroad-specific claims that we have experience investigating and pursuing.

We’ve recovered tens of millions specifically for train accident victims and over $10 billion across all severe injury and wrongful death cases. We build cases that win by relentlessly pursuing every avenue of compensation.

Common Questions About Louisiana Train Accident Cases

Who is liable for a train accident?
Railroad companies, equipment manufacturers, and even  government entities may be held liable depending on the circumstances of the crash.

How do federal regulations impact my claim?
Railroad cases are governed by complex federal laws and safety standards that differ significantly from standard motor vehicle accidents. Experienced attorneys who have handled these complex claims can help you build your case and pursue recovery for your injuries or a loved one’s death.

What happens if the accident involves a derailment?
Derailments involve unique liability issues and often require specialized investigation and evidence, such as data from the train’s “black box” or track sensor diagnostics. Injuries from derailments can include immediate injuries at or near the location of the derailment, and damages from the fallout including exposure to toxic chemicals and hazardous materials, evacuations from homes, and damage to private property.

Do I have to pay you upfront?
No. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning there are no fees unless we recover for you. We provide all up front costs for pursuing your claim, including the investigation, work with experts and officials, and pursuing justice against negligent corporations.

Can I still recover from my injuries at a private railroad crossing?
Private crossings in Louisiana still require adequate warnings based on several factors including usage and visibility. We investigate sight distances, vegetation overgrowths, lack of visible signage, and whether the railroad knew or should have known about hazardous conditions. Many private crossings in rural Louisiana lack proper safety devices necessary to protect Louisiana residents.