July 16, 2008

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

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.

July 15, 2008

Chicago, Illinois CTA Blue Line Accident Leaves One Dead

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.

July 1, 2008

Chicago, Illinois "L" and Car Accident Leaves One Dead

Another CTA accident occurred in Chicago, Illinois where a car crashed into a CTA “L” platform. The car exploded and the woman suffered severe burn injuries and was not able to survive the car accident. Two other men who were in the car accident suffered serious injuries and were taken to the hospital. CTA accidents have occurred in large numbers in recent weeks. Previously a car hitting an “L” platform caused personal injuries and death to a woman who was near a Chicago, Illinois Red Line station. To read the story and see a map of where the accident occurred, click here.

June 26, 2008

Metra Train Hits and Kills Woman

A woman from Des Plaines, Illinois was killed when she was hit by a Metra train near the Edgebrook station in Chicago, Illinois Monday evening. Additionally, a separate incident on the Brown Line of the CTA left a woman seriously injured after being struck by the ‘El.’ The Metra death was being investigated as a suicide, but the results of the autopsy performed Tuesday have not yet revealed whether suicide was the motive. The Brown Line victim was taken to Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center and classified as in serious-to-critical condition. To read more about either incident click here.

June 3, 2008

CTA Train Rail Derails, Injures Passenger

A CTA Red Line passenger was injured at 2 a.m. Tuesday morning after the train derailed along the Dan Ryan Expressway. The Chicago Fire Department stated that the passenger was taken to Little Company of Mary Hospital and Health Center in Evergreen Park and treated for minor injuries. Power was shut off in both directions to the southern end of the Red Line for several hours while crews worked on the scene, but was restored in time for the morning commute. This Chicao Transit Authority accident comes less than a week after a CTA Green Line train derailed along 59th Street on the South Side last Wednesday. 14 people were injured in that incident. There is no word yet whether the injured passenger has or will file a personal injury lawsuit.

To view the full article, click here

May 30, 2008

Metra Train Strikes Vehicle and Causes Delays to the Chicago Commute

A Metra Train accident caused delays this morning along the North Central Service line to Antioch, Illinois. The freight train struck a car at a railroad crossing in Lake County, Illinois. The freight train accident happened near Belvidere Road and Illinois Highway 83 in Grayslake. Metra has reported delays along the line between Antioch and downtown Chicago. Injuries have not yet been reported. Rail crossings can be hazardous, especially during the morning rush, and have repeatedly been sources of train accidents and injuries.

For Complete Article Click Here

May 6, 2008

Parents Sue Truck Driver for Daughter’s Wrongful Death Following CTA Accident

The Parents of Delisia Brown have filed a personal injury lawsuit in Chicago against Donald Wells, the driver of the semi truck that crashed into the CTA Red Line platform at Cermak on April 25. Ms. Brown’s parents claim in the personal injury lawsuit that Wells ran a red light and failed to use his horn to signal before the truck crash happened. Ms. Brown’s wrongful death lawsuit will likely be followed by other personal injury lawsuits: two people died in the truck accident and 21 were injured.

Read the news story here.

April 30, 2008

Chicago Truck Crash into CTA Red Line: Suspect Prescription Drugs in Trucker's Possession

According to the Chicago Police Department, the truck driver whose semi truck crashed into the CTA Red Line station on Cermak last week possessed prescription drugs that were not prescribed to him. While in custody, the driver refused a urine test, a method police often use to detect controlled substances, and behaved oddly, leading some to suspect that he may have been under the influence of drugs when the truck crashed. Currently, Chicago lawyers have filed personal injury lawsuits in Chicago against the driver and have named the trucking company, Whiteline Express, in the truck accident lawsuit. Chicago Police plan to interview other semi truck drivers to determine if it is common for semi truck drivers to use controlled substances at work.

Please read more here.

April 29, 2008

Probe into Red Line Truck Crash Continues; Police Look to Driver

The investigation into the horrific semi truck accident at the CTA’s Cermak red line stop last week continues. Currently, the Chicago Police Department is investigating the truck crash to determine if any foul pay was afoot, if the driver’s fatigue or substance use may have caused the crash, or if mechanical error caused the truck to crash. As of today, the Chicago Police Department has only given the driver a negligent driving ticket; this may mean that negligent driving caused a truck accident.

Read more here.

April 25, 2008

Out of Control Semi Truck Plows into CTA Redline Station; 2 Deaths, Multiple Injuries

A semi truck accident occurred on Friday, April 25 at the Cermak/Chinatown CTA Red Line station. According to witnesses, the semi truck appeared out of control as it hit first the CTA bus stop and then the Cermak station staircase. 2 pedestrians were killed by the runaway semi truck in today's truck accident. Multiple other pedestrians were injured and the CTA public transit accident disrupted train service. Witnesses reported that one victim was pinned under the back wheels of the truck and likely sustained serious body injuries from the truck accident. This is the second public transit accident in Chicago in two weeks, following a recent Blue Line train evacuation.

Read the full story here.

April 16, 2008

Chicago Transit Authority Settles CTA Train Derailment Case for $1.25 Million

The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) settled a personal injury lawsuit for $1.25 million. An elderly Chicago woman filed the personal injury lawsuit against the CTA because she was seriously injured in 2006 when the CTA’s Blue Line derailed by the Clark and Lake Blue Line station. The woman suffered serious injuries when trying to escape the train which caught fire after skipping the tracks. 100 personal injury lawsuits are still pending in Cook County after CTA riders sustained injuries during the emergency.

The CTA settlementcame on the same morning as another Blue Line train caused problems for commuters after stalling nearby to the same place the train derailed before.

Read more here.

August 2, 2007

Bridge collapse leaves 50 cars trapped and 4 dead; NTSB beings investigation

In yesterday's Minneapolis bridge collapse 50 vehicles are said to be trapped, 4 people are confirmed dead, 20-30 people are still missing and 79 people were injured. Officials said that they expected the death toll to rise. Six years ago, the Minnesota Department of Transportation found minor problems with the bridge and a study suggested that if one of two support planes cracked the bridge could collapse. However, this was found to be unlikely and replacement of the bridge unnecessary. Two years ago, however, the US Department of Transportation said that the bridge was structurally deficient and received a rating of 4 on a scale of 1 to 10, meaning that there is "advanced section loss, deterioration."

The National Transportation Safety Board is sending investigators to the site of the collapse but a spokesperson remarked that the focus has to be on emergency response. While they will be performing a full forensic analysis to see what caused the collapse, the NTSB emphasized that right now, it is more important to rescue every person possible.

Click here for the full article

July 6, 2007

Train accident victim's family files lawsuit

The family of a New Jersey man who was run over by a train has recently filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the train company for negligence. The man was caught in the doors of a train as he was exiting. According to witnesses, the 40 year old man then tried to run with the train, yelling for the conductors' attention along the way. Eventually, the man lost his footing and was dragged by the train until he was killed when he was run over by the moving rail cars. The three employee who were operating the train have since been terminated.

Click here for the full article.