Blog Post

Chicago Train Accident Caused by Driver Error


May 29, 2008
Topic: Train Accidents

A CTA Green Line Train derailed yesterday morning, leaving one of the cars perched precariously, straddling portions of the elevated track. According to abc30.com, there haven't been any serious injuries reported in the train accident.

According to passengers, the train started to turn after the 55th stop, and when it approached the 59th street junction, the same train split in two directions. For passengers, there was a big jolt to let them know that something had gone awry. There was plenty of panic, and passengers reported seeing others bloodied, bruised and shaken. The Chicago Fire Department was called into service, and all the passengers were brought down from the elevated trains using power ladders. There were close to two-dozen people on board the train, and at least 14 of these were taken to the hospital for treatment of injures. At least ten of the passengers are reported to have serious back and neck injuries, which required hospitalization.

News reports coming in suggest that the derailment causing the train accident occurred at a switch track, and was caused by the driver running a red signal. He also ignored a safety device that would have stopped the train. The switch problem seems to have affected the alignment of the train, causing it to derail the way it did.

Investigations are expected to begin once the train has been cleared from the tracks. Meanwhile, the elevated train is not reported to be a cause for concern.

For the passengers on that train, it was no doubt a terrifying experience to be trapped in a train derailed on an elevated track, and with one car straddling the track. From all accounts from passengers, it seems that there was plenty of panic and hysteria going around. People, who use the train to get to their workplace every day, don't expect to be in such dangerous situations. It is obvious that the driver of the train has more than little to answer for.

Since the CTA is responsible for the efficiency of its employees, it must be held responsible for any shortcomings or mistakes on the part of the employees that cause train accidents. If the detailed investigation shows that the driver, who has not been identified, was in the wrong, we hope that survivors of this train accident pursue compensation for their injuries.

In the event of a train accident, it's natural to feel confused about the next course of action, and if the victims delay in pursuing legal action against the CTA, they might find that their options become increasingly limited by the day. Immediate action is imperative in train accident cases like this one.

If you have been injured in a train accident, you need the help of an experienced California personal injury attorney. Contact a lawyer at The Reeves Law Group for a free consultation.


The California personal injury attorneys at The Reeves Law Group represent victims of accidents, injuries and wrongful death throughout California from our offices in Los Angeles County, Orange County, San Diego County, Riverside County, San Bernardino County, Ventura County, Fresno County, Kern County, Sacramento County, San Fernando Valley, Long Beach, Antelope Valley, Torrance, Glendale, Bakersfield, Santa Ana, San Jose, San Francisco, Oakland, Ontario, and Victorville.