Thousands of freight and passenger trains pass through Chicago every year, and Illinois serves as a major hub for railroad traffic throughout the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Chicago has historically been one of the largest and busiest rail hubs in the country. The Metra serves a large number of downtown workers. The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) operates subway and elevated rail lines and the Amtrak network travels throughout the state.
While the railroad system serves an important role in our country’s economy and infrastructure, this mode of transportation is responsible for hundreds of deaths every year. As a train passenger or a driver sharing the road with train tracks, you trust that train operators are fully licensed and able to perform their job in the safest way possible. You also trust that each train on the tracks has been inspected with properly manufactured parts. Unfortunately, this is not always the case, and hundreds are injured in train accidents every year.
Many of these accidents are the result of:
- malfunctioning parts
- human error
- improper operating procedures
- inadequate safety devices and
- negligence
In 2007, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) reported that Illinois had 62 train-related deaths, with a total of 7,600 railroad-related deaths across the country from 1999 to 2008. Common types of railroad accidents include:
- Accidents at railroad crossings
- Train derailments
- Freight and cargo train accidents
- Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) and Metra train accidents
Hiring an Experienced Chicago Train Accident Attorney
If you have been injured in a train accident, it’s important to hire an experienced personal injury attorney as soon as possible to protect your rights. Train accident victims often suffer devastating physical injuries with ongoing medical attention required, along with lost income.
Families who have lost a loved one in a train accident or derailment face not only the tragic loss of a loved one but funeral costs and the loss of financial support. As a victim of a railroad accident, you may be entitled to compensation, but you must take legal action early to protect your rights.
If you have been injured in a train accident, contact Mike Agruss Law, LLC, for a free consultation. We are a Chicago injury law firm representing individuals and families who have suffered an injury or loss due to a railroad accident. Mike Agruss Law, will handle your personal injury case quickly, will advise you every step of the way, and will not hesitate to go to trial for you.
Lastly, Mike Agruss Law, does not get paid attorney’s fees unless we win your case. Our no-fee promise is that simple. Therefore, you have nothing to risk when you hire us—just the opportunity to seek justice.
