Illinois Train Accident Lawyer
Train companies that cut safety measures, overwork employees, and ignore known hazards jeopardize the safety of their passengers and their employees. They put pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorists in other vehicles in danger. They cause derailments, railroad crossing accidents, and rear-end and head-on collisions with other trains. Their negligence causes explosions, fires, falls, crush injuries, and other incidents. The result? Hundreds of severe and catastrophic injuries every single year, and countless families left to pay.
The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), Metra, and Amtrak need to be held accountable for the harm they cause. Their decisions have real consequences—lives lost, families shattered, and injuries that change people forever. If you were injured or your loved one was killed in a train accident, you deserve justice. Your case demands an aggressive legal team with the resources, the experience, and the relentless drive to secure maximum compensation.
- We have over 150 years of combined experience in personal injury law,
- Over 90 attorneys and staff members,
- The skill to achieve success in state and federal courts,
- And the legal firepower to help you recover.
Time is running out to take legal action. Call(312) 600-0000 now for a free consult.
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Why Hire Ankin Law for Your Train Accident Case?
Ankin Law puts over 90 experienced attorneys and staff members in your corner. We leverage our vast network of resources, and counter the insurance company’s deceitful tactics to deliver results. Our law firm has a history of providing top-notch legal representation to more than 20,000 injured people in Illinois, and our case results prove it.
We Have Recovered Hundreds of Millions of Dollars on Behalf of Our Clients
Every multi-million dollar verdict we’ve secured began with a free consultation.
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Injured by a medical provider? Check out our medical malpractice knowledge center to learn more about medical malpractice cases.
How Ankin Law Can Help You Recover Compensation
At Ankin Law, we understand the profound impact a train accident can have on your life. If your injuries are severe, you’re now facing ongoing medical care and the inability to work. You’re suffering from emotional and physical pain after what you’ve gone through. You deserve compensation. Ankin Law delivers results.
Our experienced attorneys are committed to helping you recover maximum compensation for your losses. We will handle every aspect of your case, from investigation to negotiations and, if needed, litigation, so you can focus on recovery.
Investigating the Cause of the Train Accident
Determining the cause of your train accident is critical to holding the right parties accountable. Our team won’t rely on anyone else’s word—we’ll conduct our own exhaustive investigation. This means digging into the train’s maintenance history, analyzing accident reports, interviewing witnesses, and working with top experts in the field. Whether the cause is operator error, mechanical failure, or defective infrastructure, we’ll uncover the truth and make sure the responsible parties are held liable.
Negotiating With Insurance Companies
Our team will evaluate every loss your family has suffered due to the accident and demand full accountability from those responsible. We don’t play insurance company games. We’ll make sure you receive maximum compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. We won’t back down, and we won’t settle for less. We’ll fight for maximum recovery.
Taking Your Case to Court If Necessary
If it takes a trial to get you the compensation you’re owed, we’re ready to go the distance. If settlement talks fail, we will take your case to court. Our team is experienced in both state and federal courts, and we have the resources to go head-to-head with powerful corporations in the courtroom. We’re not afraid to stand up to their lawyers, and we will stop at nothing to secure the justice you deserve.
What Our Clients Say About Us
My life was upended when I was struck by a car going 35 MPH while walking across the street. My tibia was dislodged at the knee, requiring major leg surgery. It was a difficult recovery with great pain and discomfort and almost five months of physical therapy. When I was in the hospital, I contacted Ankin Law to represent me. From the moment of initial contact and throughout the entire process I felt like I made the right choice as everyone I came into contact at Ankin was very friendly, caring and helpful, special thanks to Cynthia. Matt Friedman was the attorney assigned to my case. It was a pleasure working with Matt, he did a great job in explaining how things work and proceed in a case of this nature and was always very responsive to me. In less than eight months, Matt secured the highest possible insurance settlement that was available. I am writing this review on Thanksgiving morning, and I am so thankful that I didn’t sustain further injuries upon the accident, and so very thankful that Ankin Law represented me.
What You Need to Know About Train Accidents
- There were 2,246 vehicle-train collisions in the United States in 2024.
- 107 of those collisions happened in Illinois.
- In Chicago alone, there is an average of 50 train accidents annually.
- Human error is the leading cause of train crashes (43%).
- More than 40% of train accidents in Chicago involve derailments.
Common Causes of Train Accidents in Chicago
Train accidents in Chicago don’t just happen—they’re the result of negligence, poor maintenance, and cost-cutting practices by train companies and other entities. When safety takes a backseat to profits, accidents follow. From operator mistakes to faulty equipment, there are many factors that can cause a severe or catastrophic accident.
Train Operator Negligence and Human Error
Human error is one of the leading causes of train accidents. Whether it’s operator fatigue, inattention, or failure to follow proper procedures, train operators make critical mistakes that put lives at risk. When these companies rush their workers, ignore safety protocols, and fail to properly train their staff, disasters like derailments, deadly collisions, and catastrophic injuries happen. You shouldn’t have to pay the price. We’ll fight to hold negligent parties accountable for train operator mistakes.
Faulty Tracks and Poor Maintenance
Railroad companies often neglect essential track maintenance to save on costs, and that lack of maintenance leads to disaster. Worn-out tracks, defective signals, and crumbling infrastructure contribute to derailments, collisions, and catastrophic accidents. When railroad companies fail to fix known hazards, they jeopardize everyone’s safety. Ankin Law will uncover the truth about maintenance issues that contributed to your accident, and demand compensation from the negligent party.
Mechanical Failures and Defective Equipment
Mechanical failures and faulty equipment are another major cause of train accidents. Whether it’s malfunctioning brakes, broken signals, or defective train cars, these failures are preventable. When companies cut corners and neglect safety checks, lives are at stake. Ankin Law will identify any defective equipment that caused your injury, and we’ll make sure you get the compensation you need to recover.
Railroad Company Negligence
Railroad companies are legally responsible for maintaining safe operations, yet they regularly disregard safety in the name of profits. From hiring unqualified employees to ignoring safety regulations, their negligence puts innocent people in harm’s way. We won’t let them get away with it. Our team will hold the railroad company fully accountable for the harm they’ve caused.
Collisions at Railroad Crossings
Accidents at railroad crossings happen when companies fail to properly maintain warning systems or enforce safety protocols. When gates malfunction, signals are ignored, or warning lights are out, accidents are inevitable. Pedestrians and drivers are left at the mercy of reckless negligence. We’ll make sure the railroad company pays for their failure to protect the public.
Who Can Be Held Liable for a Train Accident?
When a train accident occurs, multiple parties may be at fault. From reckless train operators to negligent railroad companies, and even third-party contractors, accountability must be enforced. This includes, but is not limited to:
Train Operators and Conductors
Train operators and conductors are directly responsible for operating the train safely. If they are negligent—whether due to fatigue, inattention, or failure to follow procedures—the consequences can be catastrophic.
Equipment Manufacturers and Maintenance Contractors
Defective equipment or poor maintenance often leads to accidents, and those responsible for manufacturing or maintaining faulty equipment can be held liable. Whether it’s train cars, signals, brakes, or tracks, equipment failures can lead to disaster.
Railroad Companies and Transit Authorities
Railroad companies and transit authorities have a duty to maintain safety in all aspects of their operations, from hiring and training employees to maintaining equipment and infrastructure. When they cut corners or fail to meet safety standards, they put the public at risk.
Government Entities and Municipal Agencies
In some cases, government entities and municipal agencies are responsible for maintaining public safety at railroad crossings or for regulating the safety standards of railroads. When they fail to perform their duties, they put lives at risk.
Special Report: 2023 Yellow Line Accident Emphasizes Need for CTA Safety Improvements
A catastrophic CTA Yellow Line train accident that happened in November 2023 highlights the need for improvement in train safety in Chicago. The crash, which injured 16 people, could have been avoided. Instead, the victims suffered severe physical injuries and emotional trauma that will affect them for the rest of their lives.
Just moments before the crash, the train was approaching Howard Station when the operator received a stop command from the signal system because there was a snow-fighter track plowing train in its path less than half a mile ahead. At the time of the collision, the train was still traveling 27 mph, despite the operator’s best efforts to stop it.
Reports from the NTSB indicated that the Chicago Transit Authority underestimated the stopping distance of the train due to outdated procedures. Additionally, the operator’s obstructed view, leaf the CTA’s disabling of the automatic track brake feature, build-up that impaired the emergency braking system, and the fact that the snow plow was on the same track as the passenger train, all contributed to the accident. While the operator was found to have had alcohol in his system when the incident occurred, that was not determined to be a factor in the crash.
After the accident, the CTA announced that they would reduce the speed limit in the area where the crash occurred from 55 mph to 25 mph.
Frequently Asked Questions About Train Accident Claims
How Long Do I Have to File a Train Accident Claim?
Time is critical in train accident claims. Illinois has strict deadlines for filing lawsuits, known as the statute of limitations. Failing to act quickly can result in losing your right to compensation. Contact us immediately to ensure your case is filed within the required timeframe.
What If I Was a Passenger on the Train?
If you were a passenger on the train, you still have the right to pursue compensation for injuries caused by negligence, whether it’s from the railroad company, the train operator, or defective equipment. Our team will hold the responsible parties accountable and fight for your rightful compensation.
How Much Is My Train Accident Case Worth?
The value of your case depends on many factors, including the severity of your injuries, medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more. We will conduct a full evaluation of your losses and help you recover full and fair compensation.
Do I Need a Lawyer for My Train Accident Case?
If you plan to file a personal injury lawsuit after your train accident, you’re going to need a lawyer. The railroad companies and their insurers won’t play fair, and they’ll do everything they can to avoid paying you. You need an experienced legal team on your side to level the playing field.