August 9, 2010

Construction set to improve safety at dangerous Chicago railroad crossing

A rail crossing that is infamous for Chicago railroad car crashes is set to be rebuilt this month in order to improve safety before high school classes resume for students who cross the path over the railroad to get to school. Additionally, the Illinois Commerce Commission has urged that the city of Chicago increase traffic enforcement to reduce Chicago train-vehicle crashes at the congested Nagle Avenue crossing on the Union Pacific Railroad corridor.

According to a Chicago Tribune report, vehicles can be stopped on the tracks at Nagle and many other dangerous Chicago railroad crossings on a daily basis, which is seriously dangerous. Drivers routinely take those risks and despite knowledge of the consistent law breaking, most of the hundreds of tickets issued to drivers at the Chicago railroad crossing for failing to yield to trains or for stopping on the tracks were issued by Union Pacific police, not Chicago police officers. Planned changes to increase safety are planned for between August 23 and September 3 and include new signs, better pavement markings, and new concrete crossing panels. City of Chicago traffic engineers are also evaluating whether changes in the timing of signals would keep the rail crossing clear of vehicles when the traffic lights change from green to red.

More information about the fixes for the dangerous Chicago railroad crossing is available at the Chicago Tribune.

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Posted In: Motor Vehicle Accidents , Pedestrian , Public Transit , Train Accidents

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July 26, 2010

Two killed in Chicago-area train accident

The Southtown Star reported that a Chicago South Shore commuter train collided with a car on Friday just east of Gary. The Illinois train accident resulted in the deaths of town women in the car after it drove around a crossing arm at a rail crossing. The train collision happened when the southbound car went around an arm at the crossing on the Lake-Porter county line. Since 2007, at least five other people have died in similar Illinois train crashes. The local police stated that two women were killed and two people received personal injuries in the train accident in the Friday morning crash – a young child and another adult. Nobody who was riding in the eight-car train was injured in the train accident. The train originated in South Bend and was bound for Chicago.

The injured child was airlifted to the University of Chicago Hospital following the train crash with serious internal personal injuries. The child’s mother was taken to Methodist Northlake Hospital. One witness told a reporter that she was two cars behind the car involved in the train crash and said that the car went around the gates. The witness said that the gates were down at the track intersection and one train had just cleared a set of tracks when the car’s driver went around the gate. The train collision pushed the vehicle several yards across the tracks.

In 2008, there were over 9000 train accidents, over 6000 serious personal injuries due to train accidents and over 600 train-related fatalities across the United States according to the Federal Railroad Administration of Safety Analysis. The train accident attorneys at Levin & Perconti want to remind all of our readers that it is extremely difficult for trains to come to a stop – even if they are moving slowly. Please remember to stay out of a train’s way for your safety.

For more information on the commuter rail train accident, click on the link to the Southtown Star article.

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Posted In: Personal Injury , Train Accidents

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June 22, 2010

Chicago transit fire results in smoke inhalation injuries for many

Chicago news authorities reported that a fire in the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) red line subway station caused many passengers to experience Chicago personal injuries Sunday after suffering smoke inhalation or respiratory problems. Nineteen terrified Chicago red line riders went to hospitals after a fire apparently caused by an electrical spark between two rails that ignited a greasy lubricant sprayed on train wheels. The train traveled through flames before making it to a Chicago platform, where passengers walked through dense smoke to exits leading to street level. But, by passing through the station, the train dragged the smoke further in the subway. Two people remained hospitalized with personal injuries as of Monday.

The Chicago Tribune reported that CTA officials yesterday blamed antiquated train technology and a perennial funding shortfall for the subway fire, but rail experts said relatively inexpensive fixes would greatly enhance safety and pay for themselves by significantly cutting rail-car repair costs. Investigators are examining video of the Chicago incident and are interviewing the crews operating three trains as well as riders to determine whether the CTA passengers got timely information and instructions in the emergency.

Although this fire resulted in several Chicago personal injuries, it could have been much more devastating. Ridership numbers from 2009 showed that the CTA had over 500 million rides throughout the year. The Chicago injury lawyers at Levin & Perconti hope the CTA fire victims a speedy recovery and hope that improvements are made to the public transit to prevent such problems in the future.

More information about the Chicago Transit Authority fire is available by clicking the link.

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Posted In: Fire Safety , Personal Injury , Train Accidents

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June 11, 2010

Chicago man injured after contacting “third rail” of Blue Line

Chicago Breaking News Center reported that a 50 year-old Chicago man received personal injuries after coming into contact with the third rail at a Chicago Transit Authority (“CTA”) Blue Line station at Kedzie this afternoon at about 12:45 p.m. The Chicago train injury accident occurred on the northbound side of the tracks. The Chicago man was taken by the Chicago Fire Department paramedics to Cook County Stroger Hospital where he was listed in fair condition.

A third rail is a method of providing electric power to a railway train, through a continuous rigid conductor placed alongside or between the rails of a railway track. Third rail systems presents a serious hazard for individuals who may fall into the tracks. The risk should be minimized by using platform screen doors or ensuring that the conductor “third” rail is on the side of the track away from the platform. Third rail systems must be fully grade separated or must implement some kind of mechanism to effectively stop pedestrians from walking onto the tracks at grade crossings. In 1992, the Supreme Court of Illinois affirmed a $1.5 million personal injury verdict against the Chicago Transit Authority for failing to stop an intoxicated man from walking onto the tracks at a grade crossing and attempting to urinate on the third rail.

As you can see, third rails can be extremely dangerous. Chicago area residents need to be vigilant when using the Chicago Transit Authority rail lines and avoid contact with the “third rail” to prevent serious personal injuries.

To read more about the Illinois train accident injuries.

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Posted In: Personal Injury , Train Accidents

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April 23, 2010

Crew deactivated warning system before deadly train crash

According to a preliminary federal and state of Illinois investigation disclosed earlier this week, a track crew inadvertently turned off the train gates and warning lights at a Chicago-area rail crossing last week, shortly before a deadly crash where a Chicago woman in her SUV was blindsided by a train. The Canadian National Railway train crew was working on signals and electrical circuits built near the crossing when the workers shut down all warnings to motorists about approaching trains.

Federal and state investigators state that the video that was shot from the Amtrak train’s locomotive while it was almost traveling nearly 79 miles per hour shows that the gates, flashing lights, and bells at the crossing did not turn on. The Federal Railroad Administration is leading the deadly train crash investigation, helped by Canadian National, the Illinois Department of Transportation, the Illinois Commerce Commission, and the National Transportation Safety Board. Officials stated that Canadian National crews had tried to fix the problem and thought they did, but they actually inadvertently deactivated the warning system, creating an unprotected crossing in the Chicagoland area that provided motorists no indication of oncoming trains.

Downloaded recordings do show that the train was sounding its horn and had working bells and flashing lights. Unfortunately, the crossing warning system did not work, which resulted in the wrongful death of a 26 year-old woman.

More information about the tragic deadly Chicago train crash is available here.

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Posted In: Train Accidents , Wrongful Death

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January 25, 2010

Engineer blamed for 2008 train crash

Federal officials at the National Transportation Safety Board have called for railroads to install cameras and voice records in every control cab across the United States. The warning comes after the agency has reached a conclusion after the deadly commuter train collision with a freight train in 2008. The agency publicly warned last week that cellphone texting by engineers and conductors was a growing and lethal danger to consumers using the public transportation. The 2008 train crash has been blamed on a Metrolink engineer who passed a stop signal as he sent a message from his cell phone.

Continue reading "Engineer blamed for 2008 train crash" »

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Posted In: Train Accidents

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August 20, 2009

Railroad injury lawsuit reaches $2 million settlement

A Chicago personal injury lawsuit recently reached a $2 million settlement, according to the Law Bulletin. The settlement reached was for the plaintiff’s personal injuries sustained when the commuter train he was on derailed. He sustained spinal damage and broken ribs.

To read more about the railroad injury settlement.

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Posted In: Train Accidents , Verdicts and Settlements

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July 5, 2009

Monorail crash kills driver at Disney

Two monorail trains at Disney World collided today, killing one of the drivers. The train collision occurred at about 2:00 a.m. A second employee was taken to a hospital to be checked, but none of the other seven on the trains received personal injuries.

To read more about the monorail crash.

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Posted In: Amusement Park Accidents , Train Accidents , Wrongful Death

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June 23, 2009

Transit train crash kills 6, wounds dozens more

Yesterday’s commuter train collision in D.C. killed at least six people and resulted in the personal injury of scores of others. Cars of both trains were ripped open and smashed together in the worst train accident in the Metro system’s history.

To read more about the devastating train crash.

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Posted In: Motor Vehicle Accidents , Train Accidents , Wrongful Death

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June 21, 2009

1 dead and 6 hurt in Illinois train derailment

One person has died and six people received personal injuries when a cargo train derailed in Illinois, causing an explosion and a fire. The train in Illinois was carrying chemicals that burned for hours, forcing evacuations of about 600 Chicago-area homes.

To read more about the Illinois train derailment.

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Posted In: Burn Injury , Train Accidents , Wrongful Death

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May 27, 2009

Commercial vehicle industry needs enhancement

While lawmakers are focusing on auto safety standards, Congress should also strengthen its commitment to reducing wrongful deaths from auto accidents by focusing on safety in the commercial vehicle industry. A recent AAJ press release is pushing for enhancements in safety standards. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation there were 4,808 fatalities in crashes involving large trucks and 322 fatalities in crashes involving buses in 2007.

To read more about the commercial vehicle industry’s need for more regulation.

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Posted In: Motor Vehicle Accidents , Train Accidents

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May 15, 2009

Class action train accident lawsuit proceeds

The class-action train accident lawsuit over a 2005 derailment that resulted in 11 wrongful deaths is moving ahead despite a defense motion. The defense motion argued that certifying the lawsuit as a class action would set bad precedent. The train derailment resulted in the deaths of 11 passengers and the personal injuries of nearly 200 others.

To read more about the class action lawsuit.

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Posted In: Train Accidents , Wrongful Death

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April 28, 2009

AAJ calls on FRA to review safety protections for victims of railroad accidents

Recently, a new administrator was nominated to lead the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). The American Association for Justice recently issued a release, calling on the FRA to review regulations issued under the Bush administration that weaken safety protections for consumers having received injuries in railroad accidents.

To read the AAJ release on railroad accident injuries.

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Posted In: Train Accidents

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March 4, 2009

Rail company responds to personal injury lawsuits over derailment and chemical spill

Union Pacific Railroad has denied that it owes personal injury damages to 1200 property owners, but has admitted that a train derailment and chemical spill caused damages to three houses, seven vehicles, and a semi-tractor trailer. A Union Pacific spokesperson states that the railroad wants to “make things right” with those who truly were injured by the incident.

To read more about the rail company’s response to the personal injury lawsuits.

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Posted In: Motor Vehicle Accidents , Train Accidents

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March 2, 2009

Chicago commuter train victim receives $30 million verdict

A Chicago commuter train passenger critically hurt in a train crash that resulted in a wrongful death won a nearly $30 million Cook County jury verdict to compensate for her personal injuries. The Chicago personal injury victim suffered brain damage and remains in a wheelchair as a result of the 2005 train derailment.

To read more about the train accident verdict.

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Posted In: Motor Vehicle Accidents , Train Accidents , Verdicts and Settlements , Wrongful Death

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February 18, 2009

Train accident lawsuit results in $2.3 million jury award

A jury awarded $2.33 million to a personal injury victim who lost his leg after walking onto the path of an oncoming subway train in a train accident. CNN.com reported that the personal injury victim was drunk at the time. The plaintiff’s lawyer argued that the subway driver had time to stop, but did not.

To read more about the train accident verdict.

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Posted In: Motor Vehicle Accidents , Train Accidents

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February 18, 2009

Train crash victims’ deadline for filing lawsuits approaching

Personal injury victims from the train disaster have until March 12, 2009 to file a claim in regards to the train accident. An attorney for the personal injury victims stated that at last count, he was aware of at least 45 personal injury claims and 24 wrongful death claims against the train company.

To read more about the train crash victims’ lawsuit.

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Posted In: Motor Vehicle Accidents , Train Accidents , Wrongful Death

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January 29, 2009

Metra Electric Line Train Derails

Service on Chicago’s Metra’s Electric Line was disrupted after two Metra cars derailed at the Richton Park yard. No one was personally injured in the train accident that occurred before dawn. The empty cars were being moved in the yard in preparation for the morning rush hours. The derailed train cars were relocated on the track and the track was inspected. The cause of the train derailment is still under investigation but it was believed to be cold-weather-related. A train track was found to be broken but officials believe that this was a result of the train derailment and not the cause. To read the full story, click here.

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Posted In: Motor Vehicle Accidents , Train Accidents

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January 23, 2009

Pedestrian Hit By Metra Train

A Metra Train struck and killed a pedestrian early in the morning in Palatine, Illinois. Train No. 606 was scheduled to arrive at the station was stopped in the town of Palatine, Illinois and passengers had to board a different train to Chicago after the pedestrian accident. The 39-year-old man was struck by the train near South Plum Grove and Palatine Roads. To read the full story, click here.

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Posted In: Motor Vehicle Accidents , Pedestrian , Public Transit , Train Accidents

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January 23, 2009

Chicago Blue Line customers were taken off an outbound CTA train car when a small fire started underneath one of the cars. Early in the morning there was a report of smoke on the outbound Blue Line train car that was near the UIC Medical Center station. The Chicago Fire Department responded and discovered hat an electrical fire had started in the battery compartment located in the under carriage of the train. The authorities stated that the fire itself was very small but there was a lot of smoke. One person who suffered from asthma was personally injured when she became agitated by the smoke and was treated. Customers were taken off the smoky train and put onto another one while the rail operator assessed the train fire. At this time, no personal injury lawsuits have been filed. To read the full story, click here.

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Posted In: Electrical Safety , Fire Safety , Motor Vehicle Accidents , Public Transit , Train Accidents

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The purpose of this blog is to deliver news and information that is relevant to our areas of practice. The news and information reported on this blog represent the legal actions of attorneys throughout the United States. Our firm does not claim to represent plaintiffs in all of the lawsuits, settlements, and jury verdicts reported, only those noted as Levin & Perconti cases.

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