If you have been involved in a train accident in Chicago, it is important to seek legal help from a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. Train accidents can be complex, and the laws governing them are different from those for other types of accidents. Each experienced Chicago train accident lawyer on our personal injury legal team at The Kryder Law Group, LLC Accident and Injury Lawyers is familiar with these laws and will be able to help you navigate the legal process.
In this Article
Who Can Be Held Liable for Train Accidents?
Determining liability in train accidents requires thorough investigation by Chicago train accident lawyers. It may involve train operators, manufacturers, or municipalities.
Our train accident lawyers carefully analyze every aspect of your case to hold the responsible parties accountable and secure the justice and fair compensation you deserve.
What Companies Operate Trains in Chicago?
Train service is provided by:
The Chicago Transit Authority
The CTA provides extensive public transport services, mostly passenger trains, with roughly 1.6 million weekday rides across Chicago.
The CTA is a railroad company that maintains and performs regular maintenance on 224.1 miles of railroad tracks, a railroad crossing network of 20 crossings, 1,480 rail cars that operate on eight routes, and serve 145 stations.
Accidents involving CTA vehicles present unique legal challenges, like specific deadlines and government immunity. Skilled Chicago train accident attorneys who know these details can manage claims against the CTA.
Is the national intercity passenger train service of the United States, operating more than 300 trains daily to over 500 destinations.
Who Are Victims of Chicago Train Accidents?
Train accident victims include:
Passengers in a Metra commuter train accident or in train derailments
Pedestrians and motorists struck on train tracks at a railroad crossings
Employees of the City of Chicago or other municipalities
Injured railroad workers injured at work covered by the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA)
When train accidents happen, suffering from injuries orfatalities can be devastating.
With vast knowledge of railroad accident laws—including FELA for employees, railroad worker injuries and personal injury claims—we’re committed to helping our clients obtain maximum compensation.
There’s a Limited Time to Act After Train Accidents in Chicago
Generally, you have two years from the date of the railway accident to file a lawsuit against train company for personal injury or wrongful death.
If you are filing a lawsuit against a government entity when you have been injured in a train crash, you may have even shorter deadlines to file a claim so it is important to contact an experienced attorney as soon as possible.
What Damages Might Train Accident Victims Receive?
Damages in train accident cases include both economic and non-economic losses.
Economic Damages
Economic losses have direct financial values:
Medical costs and medical bills for physical injuries
Rehabilitation
Mental health counseling
Property damage costs
Lost income and lost wages
Lost benefits, tips, and bonuses
Non-Economic Damages
Your non-economic damages relate to other aspects of your accident such as:
Will I Have to Go to Court for My Train Accident Case?
Filing a lawsuit for personal injury claims and going to court do not appeal to a lot of people. However, keep in mind that most cases never make it to the courtroom according to the American Bar Association (ABA). A Chicago railroad accident lawyer from our law firm will do everything possible to resolve your serious injury case at the negotiating table.
If this doesn’t work out, don’t worry. We will handle everything involved with your train accident lawsuit if it goes to court.
How Much Is My Train Accident Claim Worth?
There is often no public information available from railroad accidents to calculate an average settlement amount. So, the value of railroad accident cases and your individual potential settlement will depend on the specifics of your situation, such as the severity of your injuries and missed time from work due to the railroad accident. A conversation with our experienced train accident lawyers can give you an estimate of what you might be eligible to receive.
Settlements for FELA claims by railroad employees or train employees are also different from personal injury cases for other injured victims.
How The Kryder Law Group, LLC Accident and Injury Lawyers Can Help You
Railroad companies and the train you were riding when you were injured are often owned and operated by a government agency. The City of Chicago will have lawyers ready to contest your case and dispute your account of events. While healing from serious injuries, you may not be in a position to represent yourself against the railroad industry to prove railroad negligence.
Call Us for a Free Consultation
We will protect your rights and work diligently for maximum, full and fair compensation for your injuries.
If you or a loved one has been involved in a train accident in Chicago, it is important to seek legal counsel as soon as possible.
$7.5 Million
Recovery for a construction worker injured when a support wall fell and struck him. (Highest award on record for a construction injury in DuPage County at the time).
$3.2 Million
Recovery for a construction worker injured when he fell in an uncovered foundation trench, ranking as the highest award on record for a construction injury in McHenry County at the time.
$3 Million
Recovery for the family of a man struck by a garbage truck that was making an illegal turn.
$2.2 Million
Recovery for a salesman injured in an automobile collision.
$2 Million
Recovery for a man struck by a speeding vehicle as he waited for the CTA bus.
$1.5 Million
Recovery for a truck driver that was struck by another car on the expressway while his vehicle was disabled.
$1.4 Million
Recovery for a computer programmer that slipped and fell in the washroom at work.
Recovery for a pedestrian struck by a vehicle in a parking lot. At the time, this was the second-highest recovery on record in DuPage County for a similar injury.
$800,000
Recovered for a disputed wrongful death claim against a trucking company. The company denied they were involved in the collision.
$660,000
Recovery for a truck driver that was injured while unloading his trailer.
$550,000
Recovery for a person who slipped and fell in a grocery store.
$550,000
Recovery for a woman who injured her neck in a motor vehicle collision.
$500,000
Recovery for a pedestrian that was struck by a vehicle while standing on the sidewalk.
$460,000
Recovery for a truck driver that tripped and fell in the parking lot while making a delivery.
$450,000
Recovery for a dental assistant who slipped and fell at work on an unnatural accumulation of ice.
$425,000
Recovery for a union worker struck by a speeding vehicle.
$425,000
Recovery for a passenger in a vehicle struck by an inexperienced driver.
$415,000
Recovered for a woman that required neck surgery after aggravating an existing neck injury in a truck accident.
$400,000
Recovery for a lab technician injured while transporting equipment.
$370,000
Recovery for a construction worker injured on faulty equipment at a construction site.
$315,000
Recovery for a motorist struck by a falling utility pole.
$310,000
Recovery for a person injured in a motor vehicle collision.
$300,000
Recovery for a bicyclist struck by a vehicle.
$250,000
Recovery for a young woman struck by another vehicle.
$250,000
Recovered for a woman who sustained a partial finger amputation and other injuries in a rollover car accident. (Policy Limits)
$250,000
Recovered for a man injured in a motor vehicle collision.
$250,000
Recovered for a 60-year-old woman involved in a car accident. (Policy Limits)
$250,000
Recovered for a man hit by a semi-truck while operating a go-cart.
$240,000
Recovery for the injured party struck by another vehicle.
$235,000
Recovery for a person injured in a motor vehicle collision.
$235,000
Recovery for an inventory clerk injured when shelving toppled onto her.
$219,000
Recovery for a restaurant patron that slipped and fell in the bathroom.
$200,000
Recovered for an airline employee struck on the runway at O’Hare International Airport.
$190,000
Recovery for a person injured in a motor vehicle collision.
$175,000
Recovered for a child injured by fireworks at a fourth of July celebration.
$170,000
Recovered for a person injured when she slipped and fell exiting a major retail store.
$150,000
Recovered for a woman who fractured her leg when she was struck by a vehicle.
Britt C.
Andrew Kryder went above and beyond to help me out with a case that I brought to him. He was prompt, attentive, and extremely thorough. It was a pleasure to work with him!
(312) 223-1700