Illinois Injury Lawyer Blog

Chicago, Illinois a Hotbed for CTA train accidents, Metra train accidents and PACE bus accidents

2008-07-16T15:39:26Z

In the span of only three days there have been two Chicago, Illinois CTA related deaths. In what initially may have been thought of as freak accidents there is an alarming trend with deaths and personal injuries from Chicago, Illinois Chicago Transit Authority transportation. Protections, either in the form of emergency shut-off devices for trains or extra security guards, need to be put in place near CTA “L” stops to prevent accidents. The first accident occurred Monday on the CTA blue line. The most recent accident occurred yesterday on the CTA red line. In both CTA “L” train accidents the pedestrians were killed. Investigations continue into both CTA train car accidents. In addition to Chicago, Illinois trains other forms of public transit are also under scrutiny. In recent weeks Chicago, Illinois PACE buses which provide transportation to Chicago, Illinois suburbs have also been in the spotlight due to a PACE bus accident which injured four pedestrians. Additionally, Chicago Metra trains which provide service within Chicago and to the suburbs have also been under attack. Train accidents have occurred both at train and car intersection accidents, train accidents hitting pedestrians and one train accident caused death and injury to a rider on the train. As gas prices soar in Chicago, Illinois, residents are using public transportation as an alternative to personal cars. Despite the financial savings from the public transit system residents may be willing to put more cash into the pump rather than ride on the Chicago, Illinois, CTA, PACE, or Metra due to the increasing number of accidents. Negligent bus drivers, Negligent CTA operators and negligent Metra conductors may deter residents from using public transit and opting instead to use cars even though fuel prices are high. CTA has not made any official statement regarding the recent wave of CTA related deaths but it is expected that a press release will soon be made public. As Chicago, Illinois residents remain puzzled about the unexpected CTA deaths one thing is sure safety measures need to be increased to prevent more innocent pedestrians, riders and travelers from experiencing personal injuries and death. To read about the most recent CTA red line train accident click here.

Expired Car Tires Lead to Product Liability Suits and Fatal Car Accidents

2008-07-16T15:30:51Z

Car part recalls and product liability lawsuits against car manufactures are common occurrences in America. A new wave of defected car products however has come into light after a lengthy news investigation. It has been determined that many car shops and automobile dealers are selling expired car tires which make the car tires defective and prone to car tire explosions and car accidents. This is a growing problem and this negligent product selling has led many to sustain serious personal injuries from car accidents and even death. To see a full length clip about the news investigation into this negligent car tire selling trend click here.

6 Injured in Hit and Run on South Side

2008-07-16T15:12:08Z

Tuesday night a vehicle struck pedestrians near a Chicago Transit Authority bus shelter on the South Side. Six people were injured as a result of the accident near 79th and Cottage Grove. The driver of the vehicle then drove away from the scene of the accident. One of the pedestrians was in serious-to-critical condition after the accident and was transported to Mt. Sinai Hospital, another was taken in the same condition to Northwestern Memorial Hospital, two were also serious-to-critical and taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center and the last two were in serious-to-good condition and transported to Jackson Park Hospital. Read more here.

One More Killed in CTA Accident

2008-07-16T14:57:21Z

Tuesday evening, during rush hour, a woman was struck and killed by a Chicago Transit Authority Red Line train. Friehiwet Tahir, who resides in the 500 block of North Ridgeway Avenue, was pronounced dead on arrival, said the medical examiner’s office. Cause of death for the CTA victim has not been ruled. The accident forced the CTA to shut off power at the Argyle Street station going both directions for almost two hours. Dozens of people who were on trains when the power was cut were evacuated onto buses. This was the third transit related death in Chicago in two days. Read more here.

Man Struck By Metra Train

2008-07-15T20:42:33Z

A pedestrian struck by a Metra train passed away from injuries sustained in the accident Monday evening. The train, which left Chicago at about 6:40 pm struck the man at about 7:00 pm. There is no word yet whether the train operator is liable or if the man contributed.

For more information, click here:

PACE Bus Accident Causes Injuries in a Chicago, Illinois Suburb

2008-07-15T19:23:40Z

A PACE bus accident resulted in injuries to a woman and injuries to three children. The bus accident occurred when a PACE bus hit four pedestrians in a Chicago, Illinois suburb. Luckily the pedestrian victims sustained only minor personal injuries. The PACE bus accident occurred in the Chicago, Illinois suburb of Oak Park, late Monday evening. The negligent bus driver was cited for failing to yield for pedestrians, likely the cause of the pedestrian bus accident. To read more about the personal injuries sustained by the accident victims click here.

Ballpark Safety and Liability

2008-07-15T15:43:34Z

The recent injuries suffered by Dominic DiAngi who was hit by a foul ball while watching the Cubs play at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois have brought to public attention some risks of watching baseball. If a fan is struck by an errant ball while at a field, the team while not likely be held legally responsible. Teams are practically immune in almost all cases, so the injured fan will bear the cost of his injuries. Exemplifying this is the mini contract printed on the back of each ticket warning that the holder “assumes all risk and danger incidental to the sport of baseball.” However, the teams are not completely immune, for example, legal precedent requires netting to be placed in front of the most dangerous areas of the stands, but fans are still liable for any balls or bats that make it past that netting. Laws in Illinois in the 1990s emphasized immunity from lawsuits for clubs that do put up netting.

It may seem like a remote possibility that a fan will be injured at a game, but about 300 people a year are hospitalized after receiving injuries from being struck by foul balls at major and minor league games. In 1970, a 14-year-old was killed after being struck in the head by a foul ball. Read more here.

Chicago, Illinois CTA Blue Line Accident Leaves One Dead

2008-07-15T15:31:28Z

Another Chicago, Illinois CTA accident occurred early yesterday morning. This time the CTA blue line was the sight of the CTA “L” accident. A man was hit by a CTA train car, Chicago, Illinois police are currently investigating the most recent CTA accident. Over the summer several fatalities have occurred when people were hit by CTA trains and CTA cars. The most recent incident according to witnesses occurred when the man jumped in front of the CTA car. Hopefully the CTA will implement stricter security and new ways to avoid such tragedies. After a wave of CTA accidents, CTA car accidents and CTA pedestrian accidents some changes need to be made. It is unlikely that the CTA blue line will be the last accident sight of its kind this summer. To read the full story click here.

Family of Cicero Man Wins $7.5 Million in Wrongful-death Lawsuit

2008-07-14T19:59:29Z

The family of a Cicero man who was killed by a drunk driver due to the negligence of a Cicero police officer was awarded $7.5 Million in a wrongful-death lawsuit. The man was killed after being pinned against the back of a police squad car when he was struck by a drunk driver. Cicero police had stopped to break up a fight involving the man. However, in so doing, the officers directed the man to stand on the street, neglecting to activate any emergency lights. The drunk driver had been traveling at 74 m.p.h., police said.

For the full story, click here:

Girl Biking Hit by Police Car

2008-07-14T19:38:08Z

Shortly before 9 pm on Saturday, a girl was hit while riding her bike by an unmarked police car. Shavon Benson, 9 years old, was released from Mount Sinai Hospital on Sunday, after being taken there in stable condition after the car accident. The incident remains under investigation, as of yet there have been no citations issued. The girl was struck in an alley in the 1900 block of South Harding Avenue in Chicago, Illinois in the city's West Side neighborhood Lawndale. Read more here.

Backover Accidents Often Result in Death and Injuries to Children

2008-07-14T15:27:11Z

Backover accidents and backover deaths occur when cars pulling backwards are unable to see people in the rearview mirror. Often times children not viewed in a rearview mirror will be run over by cars. As cars get bigger vehicles like SUVs (Sports Utility Vehicles) often make it hard to view people behind a car running the risk that a car will run over a child. A car backover accident caused one Chicago, Illinois suburban family to face tragedy after a father ran over his son with the car. The accident caused the child serious personal injuries, fortunately he did survive. Child deaths have skyrocketed from accidents due to backover accidents, children heatstroke in cars and power window entrapment accidents. The increase in incidents has lead to congressional legislation addressing the problem; the legislation is co-sponsored by an Illinois Representative. To read more on the legislation and the car accidents that prompted its passing click here.

Children's Toys, Children's Cribs and Children's Car Seats: The Unknown Risks of Consumer Products

2008-07-14T15:21:36Z

Anyone worried about child safety consumer products here is a link for you. An investigative report has found that many children toy recalls have followed after children have suffered serious injuries and even death following playing with toys with magnets. The serious personal injuries suffered by children nationwide caused Chicago, Illinois reporters to look into the situation. Investigations have pushed congressional legislation to address safety in children’s toys. Additionally many children’s car seats and children’s cribs have been recall due to safety hazards. Product liability suits can result from the use of defective cribs and defective car seats which may put a child’s life in danger. To read several articles about these current news issues and to see videos discussing safety tips for consumers click here.

Children's Toys, Children's Cribs and Children's Car Seats: The Unknown Risks of Consumer Products

2008-07-14T15:21:36Z

CTA Bus Turns Into Ball of Fire

2008-07-14T15:10:22Z

A packed Chicago Transit Authority bus erupted into flames Sunday night as it traveled along Lake Shore Drive. The CTA driver failed to stop the flaming bus for at least a minute after the rear engine caught fire, despite warnings from passing cars and pleadings from petrified passengers. Potential for serious injury was high because the bus was traveling at full capacity. Luckily, however, the only injury was reported after a man was taken to a nearby hospital for smoke inhalation. There is no word yet whether any of the passengers will file a law suit in the matter.

For the entire article, click here

CTA Bus Slams into Pole

2008-07-11T20:43:44Z

This afternoon a Chicago Transit Authority bus slammed into a pole in the Avalon Park neighborhood. At a little past 1:30 pm five ambulances rushed to the scene where 10 passengers were being evaluated for injuries by paramedics. It is not yet known what injuries from the motor vehicle accident, if any, were suffered by those passengers. Read more here.