After the accident, four persons were put on trial charged with "alleged involuntary manslaughter" (fahrlässige Körperverletzung mit Todesfolge) – the train driver, the editor of the drivers' bulletins, and two persons from the construction planning service.

The train driver testified that his interpretation of the driving information and the actual signalling suggested a maximum permitted speed of 120 km/h.

One of the construction planning coordinators testified that he did mention a possible misinterpretation in a meeting allowing for a potential danger.

All four saw abatement of action[1] after 23 days of trial – the judge concluded that the train driver had an instant lapse (Augenblicksversagen) that does not require a major penalty.

The others are responsible for a debatable driving information and signalling recommendation which however was correct in theory – they just missed seeing the danger.