Truck Driver, Conductor, and Two Train Passengers Were Among Those Injured in San Jose VTA Collision
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA (April 28, 2025) – At least four people were injured in San Jose after a VTA train was involved in a collision with a box truck by Charcot Street and First Street.
San Jose Police Department officials are saying that the accident took place around 4:27 PM on Thursday. A box truck was struck by a VTA train as the box truck attempted to turn left.
Firefighters and paramedics were called to the scene in order to help all of the victims. The driver of the truck was taken to a nearby hospital.
Three people on the train were also hospitalized to receive treatment for their injuries. It took several hours for emergency responders to clear the roadway so that normal traffic could be restored.
A full investigation into the San Jose VTA train accident remains ongoing.
Liability for San Jose Train Accidents
Trains can be deceptively fast and are involved in many serious collisions every year. According to the National Safety Council, “Railroad deaths totaled 995 in 2023, a 10% increase from the 2022 revised total of 908 and the highest since 2007. Nonfatal injuries totaled 6,705, a 3% increase from the 2022 revised total of 6,513.” There are a number of factors that could contribute to any train collision.
- Human Error: The majority of train accidents involve human error, either on the part of train operators or other drivers.
- Communication Failures: A signal or communication failure could easily contribute to a train accident. Train operators may fail to be informed that a certain portion of train tracks is closed.
- Speed: Trains have speed limits in much the same way that vehicles do. If a train is going too fast around a turn, this might cause it to derail.
Drivers have a legal obligation to exercise due care in order to avoid collisions with other vehicles and trains. They must only perform left turns when it is safe to do so. Pursuant to California Vehicle Code 21801, the driver of any vehicle intending to make a left turn or U-turn on a public roadway must first yield the right-of-way to all vehicles traveling from the opposite direction that are close enough to pose a hazard. If a truck driver makes a left turn into the path of a train, this could form the basis of a negligence claim. The company that a truck driver worked for in such a situation may be vicariously liable for the accident.
It is also possible that the owner or operator of a railroad crossing could be liable for a train accident if it was caused by a dangerous condition on their property. Consider, for example, Kircher v. Atchison, T. & S. F. Railway Co. The plaintiff was injured by a piece of train equipment. Attorneys for the plaintiff argued that the defendant failed to maintain their premises in a reasonably safe condition, particularly since the accident site was routinely used as a shortcut. They also failed to provide adequate warnings to alert pedestrians of the dangers associated with crossing that area. It is important that certain actions are taken after any train accident.
- Victims should seek a thorough medical evaluation. Many of the injuries associated with a train accident will not be immediately obvious.
- A thorough investigation into the cause of the accident should be conducted. As part of that investigation, it should be determined how many similar accidents have taken place at the accident site.
- An experienced personal injury attorney should be contacted. An attorney can investigate all potentially liable parties.
Accident victims are often pressured to sign quick settlement offers if they’ve been injured due to the negligence of another party. But it is virtually never a good idea to accept these legal agreements without at least talking to an attorney first. Among other things, victims are not in a good position to understand the full nature of their injuries early on and how those injuries could impact the rest of their lives. An attorney can help ensure that any person injured due to the negligence of a truck driver is able to be fairly compensated.
Investigating San Jose Truck Accidents
We at Samer Habbas & Associates PC extend our best wishes to all of the people injured in this San Jose VTA train accident. This was a preventable collision that should not have taken place. It is our sincere hope that all of the victims will be able to make a full recovery. City officials should consider what measures could be taken in order to help make this particular crossing a bit safer.
Have you or someone that you care about been injured in a San Jose truck accident? You may have legal recourse. Our team of highly experienced truck accident attorneys is here to help in any way that we can. We are committed to helping accident victims get all of the support that they need in order to move forward with their lives. In fact, we have recovered hundreds of millions for our deserving clients over the years. Whether you just have legal questions or are thinking about hiring an attorney, we are here for you. You can contact our office anytime at 949-727-9300.
