Chicago Train Accident Lawyer

Chicago’s Reliable Train Accident Injury Lawyers

While public transportation is an essential part of Chicago’s infrastructure, it is not without its risks. Each year, several people suffer serious and fatal injuries in accidents involving CTA, Metra, and other trains throughout the Chicagoland area.

Providing Chicago’s residents and visitors with cheap, reasonably-efficient, and environmentally-friendly transportation alternatives, the city’s public train systems play an important role in many people’s daily lives. Crisscrossing the city from Inglewood to Manhattan and from O’Hare Airport to Union Station, the Metra system and the CTA’s “L” train connect outlying neighborhoods with transit hubs and all that the Windy City has to offer.

While providing essential services for many individuals, Chicago’s train systems are not without their risks. From derailments to collisions with cars and pedestrians, train accidents regularly cause serious damage and, in some cases, take innocent victims’ lives. Located in downtown Chicago, Malman Law’s experienced Chicago train accident attorneys provide dedicated legal representation for victims of CTA, Metra, and other train accidents.

How Much is My Train Accident Claim Worth?

When you’ve been involved in a train accident, one of the first questions that may come to mind is, “How much is my claim worth?” The value of a train accident claim depends on various factors, including the extent of your injuries, the impact on your daily life, and the long-term consequences you may face.

Our experienced train accident attorneys from Malman Law can help assess the value of your claim by carefully analyzing the details of your case. We will consider and seek compensation for all your relevant losses, which might include:

  • Medical bills
  • Lost income
  • Pain and suffering

We will work closely with you to gather evidence, consult with medical experts, and calculate the financial impact of your injuries.

Types of Train Accidents that Cause Injuries

Train accidents can result in severe injuries and even fatalities. Understanding the different types of train accidents can help you determine if you have a valid personal injury claim.

  • Derailment – This occurs when a train leaves its tracks and can result in serious injuries to passengers and bystanders. Derailments can occur due to mechanical failures, track defects, or operator error.
  • Collision with another train or vehicle – These accidents can happen at railway crossings or on the tracks themselves. Collisions can lead to catastrophic injuries and significant property damage.
  • Slip and fall incidents – Train platforms and cars can become slippery, especially during inclement weather. If passengers are not provided with proper warnings or safety measures, they can easily slip and fall and sustain injuries.

Spinal cord injuries can occur in an instant, devastating the victims and their families.

In addition, medical costs over the course of the victim’s lifetime can be enormous. If you or someone you know has had a spinal cord injury, you know how difficult it is to have your life turned upside down. You may be entitled to damages from one or more parties. During this time, it is critical to have an experienced Illinois injury attorney by your side to help you understand your rights and guide you through the process.

What exactly is a spinal cord injury?

This injury occurs when a traumatic event causes severe spine damage that results in the loss of movement, range of motion, or physical sensation. The spinal cord is a column of nerve tissue that is protected by the bones of your spine. It delivers messages between your brain and the rest of your body. Therefore, an injury to the spinal column may damage or destroy your brain’s ability to communicate with your body. The closer the injury occurs to your head, the more likely it will affect a larger area of your body.

Common spinal injuries include contusion, compression, and spinal fractures. Such injuries could produce side effects including severe depression, emotional trauma, and respiratory problems. Some spinal cord injuries can render a victim paralyzed, whether from the waist down (paraplegic) or from the neck down (quadriplegic).

What can cause spinal cord injuries?

Annually, the United States records approximately 12,500 new spinal injury cases each year. Many originate from slips and falls, car accidents, and personal injury accidents.

According to the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center, common causes of this type of injury are:

  • Auto accident (32.9%)
  • Fall (21.9%)
  • Gunshot wound (15.5%)
  • Diving (6.0%)
  • Motorcycle accident (6.0%)

Treatment & Recovery from spinal cord injuries can be exorbitant.

A cord injury is a life-changing event and can be particularly traumatic if it occurs as an accident caused by another party. Recovery could take an extended period of time, and it is often very costly.

In spinal cord injury lawsuits, damages typically include compensation that goes above and beyond reimbursement for medical expenses and “pain and suffering.” These types of injuries can have permanent and life-altering effects. Because of this, a damages award can also include compensation for things like:

  • Ongoing health care and rehabilitation
  • The cost of assistive devices and technology
  • Modifications to the injury victim’s home

While some individuals can recover from spinal cord injuries with therapy and treatment, many may never recover and may need lifelong health care, which could prove extremely costly. According to the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation, average expenses for cord injuries in the first year range from $334,170 to $1,023,924.

Injuries from Train Accidents

Although less frequent than car accidents, train accidents are more common than most people realize. The Federal Railroad Administration reports that annually there are nearly 2,000 train accidents nationwide. The leading causes of these accidents include:

  • Train derailments (responsible for more than half of all accidents)
  • Human factors
  • Track-related issues
  • Equipment and signal malfunctions
  • Collisions with pedestrians and other vehicles

In Chicago, the situation is no different. People die and suffer injuries in train accidents every year.

While many of these deaths and injuries result from major accidents like derailments and collisions, even more “minor” incidents can result in serious injuries as well. Train operators owe a duty to keep their passengers and the public safe, and if you have suffered any type of injury in a train accident, you may be entitled to significant financial compensation.

At Malman law, we handle train accident cases involving all types of injuries, including:

  • Broken bones
  • Burns
  • Loss of limbs
  • Severe lacerations and contusions
  • Spinal cord injuries
  • Torn ligaments and soft tissue damage
  • Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
  • Whiplash

Pursuing a Train Accident Injury Claim

If you or a loved one has been injured in a train accident in Chicago, always  understand your rights to pursue a personal injury claim. Train accidents can result in severe injuries and even fatalities, and the losses can be overwhelming. By retaining an experienced train accident attorney from our team, you can seek the compensation you deserve.

Gathering Evidence

When pursuing a train accident injury claim, it is crucial to gather evidence to establish liability. Your attorney will work to collect witness statements, photographs of the accident scene, and any available surveillance footage. They will also track down accident reports, maintenance records, and other relevant documentation to strengthen your case. By building a strong evidentiary foundation, your attorney can negotiate effectively with the responsible parties or, if necessary, advocate for you in court.

Insurance Negotiations

In addition to gathering evidence, your attorney will handle all communications and negotiations with the insurance companies and other parties involved. This includes filing the necessary paperwork, negotiating settlements, and representing your best interests throughout the legal process. Often, obtaining a fair settlement requires a lot of back-and-forth with insurance representatives, which is not something you should have to deal with. Leave this to our Chicago train accident lawyers from Malman Law.

Filing a Lawsuit

Sometimes, the insurance claim process is insufficient to obtain fair compensation. Insurers might dispute liability or the amount of damages you claim. In such cases, our attorneys will not hesitate to escalate the matter and file a personal injury lawsuit in civil court.

If you have lost a loved one in a Chicago train accident, we can help you pursue a claim for wrongful death.

In any case, your injuries or your loved one’s loss is likely to have significant, long-term consequences for your health, general well-being, and finances. When you hire one of our lawyers, we will fight to make sure that you receive the largest possible settlement or verdict for your train accident claim.

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This page has been written, edited, and reviewed by a team of legal writers following our comprehensive editorial guidelines. This page was approved by President and Founder, Steven J. Malman who has more than 20 years of legal experience as a personal injury attorney.