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Taking the subway is one of the most efficient modes of transportation to move about the Chicago Metropolitan area. While the transit system has been relatively safe since its inception in 1892, there are still Chicago subway accidents occurring every year. The government agency that manages and regulates the subway system is responsible for monitoring, maintaining and providing upkeep on every mile of track transporting passengers through the community.
The injuries associated with these kinds of accidents are usually catastrophic. Most accidents typically involve a collision, rollover, assault, operator error or derailment. Other accidents involve slips and falls onto the tracks or on subway platforms where the victim suffers serious injury or death.
The Chicago “L”
The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) operates the Chicago “L” (an abbreviation for “elevated”) rapid transit line serving over 700,000 residents and visitors every day. The city of Chicago, subway operators and the subway’s parent company are legally obligated to ensure that every passenger arrives at their destination safely.
When passengers are harmed or injured, all parties responsible for the accident can be held legally accountable for their neglect by not providing a secure and safe environment for every commuter. In many filed claims, victims have been injured in a Chicago Subway accident for one of various circumstances that could include:
- Train or subway operator negligence
- Electrocution
- Sudden stop
- Subway crash
- Inadequate safety precautions
- Insufficient security
- Malfunctioning door closure
- Turnstile injury
- Insufficient maintenance of the subway car or station
- Slip and falls resulting from broken escalators, platforms or stairs along with slippery floors, hidden debris or poor lighting
Common injuries in a subway or bus accident might involve severed limbs, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, paralysis, fractures and broken bones, lacerations and wrongful death.
Filing a Claim for Compensation Involving the CTA
Injured victims and surviving family members of a loved one who has died in a Chicago Subway accident are legally entitled to file a claim for compensation. However, it is their responsibility to provide prove how negligence, carelessness or an intentional act directly caused the victim’s injuries or death.
Illinois tort law involving government agencies is complex. Because of that, it is often essential to hire a skilled personal injury attorney who specializes in rapid transit accident cases. An attorney is beneficial if the victim was:
- Injured or killed while a passenger on public transportation
- Injured from a fall from a station’s retractable platform
- Suffered injuries while boarding or exiting a subway car
- Injured or killed after being struck by public transportation vehicles
- Suffered injuries or death due to negligent train conductors or operators
- Slipped and fell on broken or icy surface areas where passengers were boarding or exiting a subway car
When the victim sues the government for compensation, the attorney must follow special rules that involve government immunity protection. Usually, there is a strict statute of limitations on filing a Notice of Claim with the appropriate agency connected to the accident. These types of injury and wrongful death cases are complex and often require attorneys with extensive experience and knowledge.
Usually, the injuries caused by public transportation are severe and long lasting. Compensation obtained in an out-of-court settlement or award at trial usually covers medical expenses, lost wages and other damages such as hospital and home care.
Hiring a Lawyer With Experience Winning Chicago Subway Cases
Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers LLC accept Chicago Metropolitan area rapid transit accident cases. Our legal team provides a comprehensive investigation of facts that relate to the accident causation, government/third-party liability and damages. Our attorneys use proven methods to identify multiple defendants when pursuing compensation using novel theories of insurance and liability law. We offer our extensive trial and litigation skills to provide the best legal representation to injured victims and surviving family members who have lost a loved one in a Chicago subway accident.
Our law firm represents, counsels and advises clients injured in subway accidents, bus collisions, railroad crossing crashes, freight and passenger train accidents and other incidences involving public and mass transit. We fight aggressively to ensure our clients receive the highest level of compensation they deserve for their injuries. We will investigate the accident and prepare a strong case for settlement or jury trial. We take a comprehensive approach to assist our clients during their healing process, ensuring they receive proper medical care from the best health care specialists in the community.
