Two Injured in Frenchtown Train Accident
The collision occurred at the Beckwith Street crossing near Mullan Road
Two people were injured when a vehicle collided with a commercial freight train on Beckwith Street near Mullan Road in Frenchtown, Montana, early Sunday, according to the Frenchtown Rural Fire District.
The crash trapped both passengers inside the heavily damaged passenger vehicle. Firefighters extricated the individuals, while the train crew reported no injuries and the freight remained intact.
Paramedics transported both people to St. Patrick's Hospital. One passenger suffered serious injuries, authorities said.
The Beckwith Street crossing was closed for several hours as law enforcement examined the scene. The exact cause remains under investigation.
Why did the vehicle enter the Beckwith Street crossing?
Passengers injured in railroad crossing crashes often face complex recoveries while investigators determine why the driver failed to stop. While the official cause of this collision remains under review, authorities frequently examine factors such as crossing signal visibility, driver distraction, and potential impairment.
National Legal Analyst Candice Bond, Managing Partner at Bond Legal. "It's frightening how fast a train can appear even when you're being careful at a crossing. Every year, there are more than 2,000 incidents at grade crossings, leading to over 200 fatalities."
According to the Federal Railroad Administration, there were 2,263 highway-rail grade crossing collisions nationwide in 2024, resulting in 778 injuries.
How does suspected impairment affect passenger claims?
When investigating severe crossing collisions, officials routinely check for driving under the influence. If a driver is found to be impaired, injured passengers may have direct claims against the driver's insurance policy.
Bond added that when crashes occur at railroad crossings, many locations still lack adequate gates or lights, leaving drivers to guess if a train is approaching. Investigators will review the Beckwith Street crossing's safety infrastructure, as well as the vehicle driver's actions, to determine liability.
Montana personal injury framework
Montana follows a modified comparative fault (51% bar) system. The statute of limitations is 3 years.
Damages include economic and non-economic losses.