Amtrak Train Involved in Semi-Truck Accident That Left One Person Dead Along Highway 1 Near Guadalupe
SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA (October 2, 2025) – Multiple people were injured in a Santa Barbara County semi-truck accident on Highway 1 near Brown Road.
Santa Barbara County officials are saying that the collision took place around 4:15 p.m. on Wednesday. A 2020 Peterbilt semi-truck was going down Highway 1 and made a right turn onto a dirt road.
The truck went over a railroad crossing when the right side of the vehicle was struck by an Amtrak train. There were roughly 260 passengers on the Amtrak at the time of the collision.
Paramedics were called to the scene of the collision to help all of the victims. The driver of the truck was killed in the collision.
Three passengers on the train were transported to the hospital with injuries.
Liability for Santa Barbara County Train Accidents
Train operators have a legal obligation to exercise due care to avoid collisions. They must operate their train at a safe speed at all times. Trains have speed limits in much the same way that cars do. If a train operator sees pedestrians, vehicles, or obstructions on a set of tracks, they must slow down to avoid a collision. If a train operator fails to slow down to avoid a collision, this could form the basis of a negligence claim. There could be several liable parties for any train accident.
- Train Company: The company that a train operator worked for could be liable for a collision. In California, employers can be held vicariously liable for the wrongful actions of their employees.
- Truck Company: It is also possible that the owner of a commercial vehicle could be held at fault for a collision. There are regulations related to crossing train tracks. It can be easy for a truck driver to make a mistake and cause a crash.
- Municipal Entity: A municipal entity responsible for a train crossing could face some liability for a train accident. Cities and other municipal entities could be liable for any crash that was the result of a dangerous condition on public property.
Train accidents can be very complex events. The factors that contribute to any crash could take place hours, days, or even weeks beforehand. It is important that these collisions are properly investigated. In particular, investigators should examine if there is a history of collisions at any train crossing. This could point to a serious issue with the train crossing. For example, many train crossings lack adequate crossing arms and warning lights.
Steps to Take After a Santa Barbara County Amtrak Train Accident
A number of people are killed or seriously injured every year in accidents involving trains. According to the National Safety Council, “Railroad deaths totaled 954 in 2024, a 1% decrease from the 2023 revised total of 967. Nonfatal injuries totaled 6,542, a 3% decrease from the 2023 revised total of 6,768. From 2023 to 2024, fatalities at highway-rail crossings increased 7%, while fatalities involving other types of incidents decreased 4%.” Several steps should be taken after any injury involving a train.
- Police Report: The police should be called to the scene of the collision as early as possible. They will create a report that can be very valuable for insurance purposes down the line.
- Medical Evaluation: Any person that is injured in the crash should seek a medical evaluation. One of the major mistakes that people make after collisions is failing to be evaluated by a doctor. Not all of the injuries involved in a crash will be immediately obvious.
- Evidence Preservation: All of the evidence related to the crash should be preserved. This includes any surveillance footage that may have captured what happened.
- Legal Support: One of the best decisions that victims can take after any crash is to seek experienced legal guidance. An attorney can examine all of the unique facts of any case free of cost and determine what parties could be legally responsible.
Being injured in a train accident can be one of the most difficult and traumatic experiences that most people will go through. Victims may be left with horrific injuries and high medical bills. They may also need to take extensive periods of time away from work, further hampering their financial situations. Any person that is injured in a train accident may be able to seek some measure of accountability through a civil claim.
Investigating Santa Barbara County Amtrak Accidents
We at Samer Habbas & Associates PC extend our deepest condolences to the family of the truck driver killed in this crash. It is our hope that all of the other victims will be able to make a full recovery. There needs to be a thorough investigation into what went wrong.
Do you need more information about a Guadalupe Amtrak train accident? Our team of personal injury attorneys is here for you. We care deeply that accident victims are aware of their rights and that those rights are being protected. Whether you just have legal questions or need any type of assistance after being injured, we are here to serve your needs. You are always welcome to reach out to us anytime at 949-727-9300.
