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Fort Lauderdale Train Accident Lawyer
Fort Lauderdale sits on two of Florida’s busiest rail corridors, with Brightline, Tri-Rail, and freight trains crossing city streets every day. When a crossing gate fails, a passenger is hurt on board, or a train operator is careless, Florida law gives injured people and families a path to compensation. Shiner Law Group handles these cases with care and honesty, with no fee unless we win.
On This Page — Fort Lauderdale Train Accident Lawyer Guide
Fort Lauderdale Train and Railroad Crossing Accident Lawyers
Last reviewed: October 2026
- Railroads must maintain crossing signals, gates, and sight lines, and passengers on board are owed a high duty of care as common-carrier customers.
- Claims involving Tri-Rail, operated by a public agency, are subject to Florida’s sovereign immunity limits and notice rules (Fla. Stat. § 768.28).
- Many rail deaths involve trespassing or intentional acts. Not every incident is a viable claim, and we will tell you honestly.
- Train cases move fast: event recorders, crossing data, and video must be preserved immediately.
Two rail corridors run through Fort Lauderdale. The Florida East Coast corridor near downtown carries Brightline’s high-speed passenger trains, with a station at 101 NW 2nd Avenue, along with freight. To the west, the South Florida Rail Corridor carries Tri-Rail commuter trains, with Fort Lauderdale and Cypress Creek stations, and freight traffic. Dozens of street-level crossings mean drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians cross active tracks every day.
Rail safety is a serious concern in South Florida. The Florida Department of Transportation reported 49 rail-related deaths in Florida in 2023 (preliminary), with crossing collisions and trespassing accounting for 94% of railroad fatalities. A WLRN and Miami Herald investigation built on federal data counted 182 deaths involving Brightline trains since 2017, including 61 in Broward County, and found that many were ruled suicides or involved people on the tracks.
Shiner Law Group has represented injured Floridians since 2002 and has recovered more than $500 million for our clients. Viable train cases usually involve a crossing signal or gate that failed, a dangerous crossing design or blocked sight line, negligent train operation, or a passenger injured on board or on a platform. We investigate those facts carefully, and when someone else’s negligence caused the harm, our Fort Lauderdale wrongful death lawyers can help families understand their options.
Rail Safety by the Numbers
Figures from the Florida Department of Transportation and a WLRN/Miami Herald analysis of Federal Railroad Administration data.
Rail-related deaths in Florida in 2023 (preliminary), with nearly 80 people injured.
Of Florida railroad fatalities involved highway-rail crossing collisions or trespassing.
Deaths involving Brightline trains since 2017: 91 ruled accidental, 75 ruled suicides, and the rest undetermined or pending.
Of those Brightline-related deaths occurred in Broward County.
Tri-Rail stations inside Fort Lauderdale city limits: Fort Lauderdale (200 SW 21st Terrace) and Cypress Creek (5910 NW 9th Ave).
Claims against public transit agencies are subject to sovereign immunity caps and written presuit notice.
Types of Train Accident Cases
The situations most likely to support a claim.
Crossing collisions
Vehicles, cyclists, or pedestrians struck at a crossing where gates or lights malfunctioned, warnings were inadequate, or vegetation and structures blocked the view.
Passenger injuries
Riders hurt by sudden stops, derailments, falls on board, or doors and boarding equipment that malfunctioned.
Platform and station injuries
Falls on wet or uneven platforms, gaps between the train and platform, crowding, and poor lighting at stations.
Train-vehicle collisions
Crashes involving trains and cars, trucks, or buses, where a driver, the railroad, or both may share fault.
Worker injuries
Railroad employees are generally covered by the federal FELA law, and contractors may have negligence claims.
Wrongful death
Families may pursue claims when a death was caused by a crossing failure, operator negligence, or unsafe conditions.
Florida Rail Law
How liability is decided in train and crossing cases.
Driver duties at crossings
Drivers must stop at crossings when signals activate, gates are down, or a train is approaching, and may not drive around gates.
Insufficient clearance
Drivers may not enter a crossing unless there is room to clear the tracks completely. Railroads still answer for defective warnings.
Railroad and carrier duties
Railroads must maintain crossings, warning devices, and sight lines and operate trains with reasonable care. Passenger carriers owe riders a high degree of care.
Public agency claims
Tri-Rail is operated by the South Florida Regional Transportation Authority, a public agency. Damages are capped at $200,000 per person and $300,000 per incident, and written notice is required first.
Comparative fault
Fault is often shared among drivers, railroads, and others. If you were 50% or less at fault, you can recover, reduced by your share.
Filing deadline
Most negligence claims must be filed within 2 years. Wrongful death claims generally must be filed within 2 years of the death.
What to Do After a Train Accident
Get emergency care
Call 911. Train-related injuries are often severe, and prompt treatment creates the medical record.
Report the incident
For passenger injuries, report to the train crew or station staff and ask for an incident report number.
Photograph the crossing or scene
Capture the gates, lights, signs, sight lines, vegetation, and road markings before anything is repaired.
Keep your ticket and records
Save your ticket, app confirmation, or fare card, and note the train number, car, and time.
Find witnesses
Get names and phone numbers of other passengers, drivers, and bystanders.
Call a lawyer quickly
Event recorders, crossing data, and video must be preserved, and public agency claims require early written notice.
Visit or Call Shiner Law Group
Serving people injured in train and railroad crossing accidents throughout Fort Lauderdale and Broward County.
Shiner Law Group — Fort Lauderdale
6750 N Andrews Ave Suite 200 #2062
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309
(954) 999-9900 · Available 24/7
Can’t come to us? We offer home, hospital, and video consultations anywhere in Broward County.
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Fort Lauderdale Train Accident FAQ
How much does a Fort Lauderdale train accident lawyer cost?
Nothing upfront. Shiner Law Group handles these cases on a contingency fee basis, so you pay no attorney fee unless we recover compensation for you. Call (954) 999-9900 for a free, confidential case review, available 24/7.
Who is liable for a train accident in Fort Lauderdale?
It depends on the facts. A railroad may be liable for malfunctioning crossing signals, inadequate warnings, blocked sight lines, or negligent operation. A driver may be liable for going around gates. Passenger carriers such as Brightline and Tri-Rail owe riders a high degree of care. Often more than one party shares fault.
How many people are killed in rail accidents in Florida?
The Florida Department of Transportation reported 49 rail-related deaths in Florida in 2023 (preliminary), and said crossing collisions and trespassing accounted for 94% of railroad fatalities. A WLRN and Miami Herald analysis counted 182 deaths involving Brightline trains since 2017, including 61 in Broward County.
Can I sue Tri-Rail?
Tri-Rail is operated by the South Florida Regional Transportation Authority, a public agency, so claims are subject to Florida’s sovereign immunity statute, Fla. Stat. § 768.28. Damages are generally capped at $200,000 per person and $300,000 per incident, and written notice must be given before a lawsuit can be filed.
Does every train death lead to a lawsuit?
No. Many rail deaths involve trespassing on the tracks or intentional acts, and those cases often are not viable. Claims are strongest when a crossing gate or signal failed, a crossing was dangerously designed or obstructed, a train was operated negligently, or a passenger was hurt on board. We give families an honest evaluation.
How long do I have to file a train accident claim in Florida?
Most negligence claims must be filed within two years under Fla. Stat. § 95.11, and wrongful death claims within two years of the death. Claims against a public agency also require early written notice, and rail evidence must be preserved quickly, so contact a lawyer as soon as possible.
Where is Shiner Law Group’s Fort Lauderdale office?
Our Fort Lauderdale office is at 6750 N Andrews Ave Suite 200 #2062, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309. Call (954) 999-9900 any time, day or night.
Hurt in a Train or Crossing Accident? Talk to Us Today.
Free, confidential case reviews 24/7. No fee unless we win.
This page is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice, nor does it create an attorney-client relationship. Statistics are cited to the public sources noted and may be preliminary or revised. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes; each case is unique and must be evaluated on its own merits. Attorneys at Shiner Law Group are Members of The Florida Bar. Shiner Law Group — Accident & Injury Lawyers. Attorney Advertising.