On August 22, 2025, in Forney, Texas, a semi hauling a backhoe became stuck on the tracks near the Downtown rail crossings shortly after 1:00 p.m. A passing train then struck the trailer. Forney police and fire crews responded quickly. Officials reported no injuries and no hazardous-material releases. By around 4:30 p.m., Center Street, Chestnut Street, and FM 548 were reopened. Elm Street remained blocked, and Bois D’Arc was expected to stay closed for track and crossing-arm repairs by Union Pacific.
Why Trucks Get Stuck on Grade Crossings
Low ground clearance trailers and heavy equipment can “hang up” on the hump of a crossing. Contributing factors often include approach angle, load length, and route selection that fails to account for posted low-clearance warnings. Good planning matters. Drivers and carriers should confirm approach geometry, use spotters when needed, and document pre-trip steps. For a checklist of what should be verified before pulling a lowboy across a rail line, see our overview of a commercial vehicle pre-trip inspection.
What Investigators Will Review
- Routing and permitting. Whether the carrier planned a safe path for an oversize or low-clearance load and heeded posted warnings.
- Trailer clearance and loading. Height, length, and weight distribution relative to the profile of the crossing.
- Signal and train operations. Crossing signal activation, train speed, horn, and crew response.
- Electronic data and documentation. Truck telematics and event data recorders can clarify speed, braking, and timing in the minutes before impact. Learn how these sources are used in civil cases here: black box data. (Data helps explain what happened; it is not itself a cause.)
If You Were Affected
Even when no one reports injuries at the scene, symptoms can surface later. Get checked by a doctor and keep all records. Photograph vehicle or property damage, save repair estimates, and gather names of witnesses and first responders. If a business suffered access or revenue losses from prolonged closures, preserve sales records and correspondence related to the disruption.
Your Legal Options
Crashes involving trains and commercial trucks raise complex liability questions. Fault may be shared among the trucking company, the driver, and other entities depending on route planning, warnings, and operations. Our team handles these claims under the same legal principles used in an 18-wheeler accident case, including property damage, lost income, medical expenses, and non-economic losses when injuries are documented.
FAQ
Who pays if my car or nearby property was damaged but I wasn’t hurt?
Property owners can pursue repair or replacement costs, diminished value, towing and storage, and other out-of-pocket losses. Liability may rest with the carrier if route planning or clearance judgments were unreasonable, or other parties if signals or gates malfunctioned. An attorney will gather photos, repair invoices, train logs, and dispatcher records to build a claim.
Does it matter that no injuries were reported at the scene?
No. Many musculoskeletal and concussion symptoms emerge hours or days later. Prompt medical evaluation creates the documentation insurers require. Continue treatment as prescribed and preserve bills and records so a truck accident attorney can connect your losses to the incident.
Could multiple parties share responsibility?
Yes. Rail-highway grade-crossing cases often involve comparative fault. That means each party may be assigned a percentage based on conduct, from route planning and pre-trip checks to signal timing and train operations. Evidence from measurements, downloads, and witness statements determines how fault is allocated.
Talk to a Truck Accident Attorney
If you were hurt in a train and truck accident, speak with an experienced truck accident attorney at Spagnoletti Law Firm. We investigate route planning, equipment configuration, and rail-crossing operations, then pursue the full compensation the law allows. Call 713-804-9306, request a confidential consultation to understand your options, or contact us online.