Two Injured in Frenchtown Train Accident at Beckwith Street Crossing

Q: What is the role of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) in this investigation?

The NTSB typically investigates significant railroad accidents to determine the cause and make safety recommendations. Their inquiry would involve examining the train's event recorder, track conditions, signal operations, and the vehicle's condition.

Q: How do investigators determine fault in a train-vehicle collision?

Investigators consider several elements, including whether the train crew followed operating procedures, if the vehicle driver obeyed traffic laws and warning signals, and the design and maintenance of the crossing itself. Data from the train's black box, witness statements, and physical evidence at the scene are all used.

Q: What are common causes of train-vehicle accidents at crossings?

Common causes include driver inattention, misjudgment of a train's speed and distance, disregard for warning signals, obstructed views at the crossing, and mechanical failures in either the vehicle or the crossing's warning system. Under Montana's personal injury laws, passengers injured in a motor vehicle collision may pursue compensation through a negligence claim against the at-fault parties. The state follows a modified comparative negligence system, meaning an injured party can recover damages as long as their share of fault does not exceed 50 percent. In cases involving railroad crossings, liability may be apportioned between the driver of the vehicle and the train operator or track owner. National Legal Analyst Bond of Bond Legal noted that "Train accident cases demand immediate preservation of physical evidence and corporate records to build a strong foundation for a personal injury claim." Victims have up to three years from the date of the crash to file a personal injury lawsuit in Montana. Successful claims can provide financial relief for emergency medical expenses, ongoing rehabilitation, lost wages, and pain and suffering resulting from the crash.

Two people injured in train accident on Beckwith Street, Frenchtown, Montana

Emergency crews extricate two occupants from heavily damaged vehicle near Mullan Road

Two people were injured, one seriously, when a train struck a vehicle at the Beckwith Street crossing near Mullan Road in Frenchtown, Montana, early Sunday, authorities said.‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‌

Emergency personnel arriving just after 4 a.m. found a heavily damaged vehicle with both passengers trapped inside. Rescuers used extrication equipment to free the individuals from the wreckage.

One person with serious injuries was taken to St. Patrick Hospital. The second passenger was also taken to the hospital for treatment.

The train remained stopped on the tracks through the early morning hours.

Law enforcement closed the crossing as the investigation continued.

The collision at the Beckwith Street crossing near Mullan Road in Frenchtown, which left one person with serious injuries and another hurt, highlights the dangers present at railroad intersections. Investigators will examine factors such as visibility at the crossing, the speed of both the train and the vehicle, and whether warning signals were present and functioning correctly.

National Legal Analyst Candice Bond, Managing Partner at Bond Legal. "Every time a life is lost in a crash at a railroad crossing, I’m reminded that many crossings in our country still lack gates or lights. Half of these crossings only have a simple sign, leaving drivers to guess if a train's coming." Bond said.

National Legal Analyst Stefano Formica, Of Bond Legal"Trying to heal after a train accident is a long process that requires a lot of support. There are over two thousand crossing incidents every year, meaning this is a danger that's way more common than people think," Formica stated.

What is the role of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) in this investigation?

How do investigators determine fault in a train-vehicle collision?

What are common causes of train-vehicle accidents at crossings?

Under Montana's personal injury laws, passengers injured in a motor vehicle collision may pursue compensation through a negligence claim against the at-fault parties. The state follows a modified comparative negligence system, meaning an injured party can recover damages as long as their share of fault does not exceed 50 percent. In cases involving railroad crossings, liability may be apportioned between the driver of the vehicle and the train operator or track owner. National Legal Analyst Bond of Bond Legal noted that "Train accident cases demand immediate preservation of physical evidence and corporate records to build a strong foundation for a personal injury claim."

Victims have up to three years from the date of the crash to file a personal injury lawsuit in Montana. Successful claims can provide financial relief for emergency medical expenses, ongoing rehabilitation, lost wages, and pain and suffering resulting from the crash.