Chicago Metra Accident Lawyer

Being involved in a Metra accident can be a life-altering experience. Whether it’s a train collision, derailment, or an accident at a Metra station, victims often face significant physical injuries, emotional trauma, and financial burdens from medical bills and lost wages.

Navigating the legal complexities of a Metra accident claim requires the expertise of experienced Metra train accident lawyers who understand the unique challenges of these cases. At Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, we specialize in representing Metra train accident victims, ensuring they receive the full and fair compensation they deserve.

Metra Statistics

Metra, the commuter rail division of the Regional Transportation Authority, serves more than 100 communities in the Chicago metropolitan area, including the city of Chicago and its surrounding suburbs. On an average weekday, Metra provides approximately 281,000 passenger trips across its 11 lines and 242 stations. [1]

Types of Cases Our Metra Accident Lawyers Handle

Metra accidents can occur in various ways, each presenting unique legal challenges and requiring specialized knowledge to navigate successfully. Our law firm has extensive experience recovering multi-million-dollar settlements on behalf of injured passengers in cases such as:

• Train-on-Train Collisions: Train accident cases where two trains collide, can lead to multiple casualties and many severely injured victims.
• Train Derailments: Resulting from mechanical failures, human error, or adverse weather conditions, these railroad accident cases can cause catastrophic injuries and extensive property damage.
• Pedestrian Accidents: Incidents where a pedestrian is struck by Metra trains at a railroad crossing, often resulting in severe injuries or fatalities.
• Accidents at Metra Stations: Incidents that happen during boarding or exiting Metra trains or due to unsafe conditions at stations and railroad crossings.
• Vehicle Collisions: Railroad accidents involving Metra trains and vehicles at grade crossings, which can result in serious injuries for vehicle occupants.
• Injured Railroad Workers: Metra railroad workers can suffer significant injuries in accidents. Besides filing a personal injury lawsuit for negligence, railroad workers injured in Metra accidents can file workers’ compensation claims under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA claims).

Common Causes of Metra Accidents

Understanding why Metra accidents happen is crucial for building a strong legal case. Our Metra train accident attorneys meticulously investigate each incident to identify the root causes, which often include:

• Operator Negligence: This includes behaviors such as excessive speed, distracted operation, impairment due to alcohol or drugs, and operator fatigue.
• Mechanical Failure: Issues like brake failures, track defects, and other mechanical defects can lead to serious accidents.
• Poor Maintenance: Neglected or improperly maintained Metra trains and infrastructure can cause preventable accidents.
• Defective Equipment: Faulty equipment, such as malfunctioning signals or safety systems, can contribute to a Metra train accident.
• Weather Conditions: Adverse weather, combined with factors like icy platforms or poor visibility, can result in Metra train accidents, particularly if proper safety measures are not in place.

Common Metra Train Accident Injuries

Metra accidents can result in a range of serious injuries, significantly impacting victims’ lives.

Common injuries include head and brain injuries such as concussions and traumatic brain injuries from impacts, which can have long-term cognitive effects. Spinal cord injuries, potentially leading to paralysis or chronic disability, are also prevalent.

Victims often suffer fractures and broken bones from collisions or falls, along with internal injuries caused by blunt force trauma. Burns from fires or electrical accidents are another severe consequence.

Additionally, the emotional trauma, pain and suffering, including PTSD, can be profound.

Liability in Metra Train Accidents

Our Metra accident attorneys are skilled at identifying and proving negligence in Metra accident claims to ensure you receive a full and fair settlement. Potential areas of liability include:

• Improper Maintenance: Failing to adequately maintain trains and railroad tracks can lead to accidents.
• Insufficient Training: Lack of proper training or supervision of Metra operators and staff can result in preventable errors and accidents.
• Inadequate Investigation: Failing to thoroughly investigate previous accidents and implement corrective actions can lead to repeated incidents.
• Negligent Actions: Any actions or inactions by Metra personnel that contribute to unsafe conditions can form the basis for liability.

Metra as a Common Carrier

Metra operates as a common carrier under Illinois law, which imposes a heightened duty of care to ensure the safety of its passengers. As a common carrier, Metra is obligated to provide safe and reliable transportation services to the public.

This legal status means that Metra must adhere to stricter safety standards than private individuals or entities, ensuring that its trains and train tracks are properly maintained and operated to prevent accidents and injuries.

Damages a Metra Accident Attorney Can Help You Recover

Those injured in a Metra accident have the right to seek compensation for various damages. Our Metra train accident attorneys can ensure that all avenues for recovery are explored, including:

• Medical Expenses: This includes costs for emergency room visits, hospital stays, surgeries, medications, physical therapy, follow-up appointments, and future medical expenses for the injuries sustained.
• Lost Wages: Compensation for wages lost during your recovery period, reduced earning capacity if you cannot return to your previous job, and future lost income if your injuries prevent you from working in the same capacity.
• Pain and Suffering: Damages for physical pain and discomfort, emotional suffering such as anxiety and depression, and loss of enjoyment of life due to limitations caused by the injury.
• Property Damage: Reimbursement for repair or replacement of personal belongings damaged or destroyed in the accident, including vehicles, electronics, clothing, and other items.
• Rehabilitation and Long-Term Care: Funds for in-home care services, long-term rehabilitation programs, and modifications to your home to accommodate disabilities if you suffer severe or disabling injuries.
• Wrongful Death: In the event of a fatality, compensation for funeral and burial expenses, loss of financial support, loss of companionship and guidance, and emotional suffering of surviving family members.

What to Do Following a Metra Accident

Taking the right steps immediately following a Metra accident is crucial for protecting your rights and building a strong case. Here’s what you should do:

• Prioritize Medical Care: Seek medical attention immediately, even if injuries aren’t immediately apparent.
• Collect Evidence: If you’re able, photograph the accident scene, collect contact information from witnesses, and record any details you recall.
• Report the Accident: Inform Metra and your insurance provider about the incident, ensuring it is officially documented.
• Consult a Skilled Metra Train Accident Lawyer: Get legal counsel to understand your rights and determine the best steps forward for your case.

You Have Limited Time to File a Metra Accident Claim

In Illinois, the statute of limitations for filing a personal injury claim following a Metra train accident is typically one year from the date of the incident. It is crucial to act quickly to ensure you do not miss this critical deadline and fail to recover financial compensation. Our personal injury lawyers can help you file your claim promptly and efficiently.

Contact a Metra Train Accident Lawyer Today!

Our team of Metra train accident lawyers is well-versed in Illinois law and the specific regulations governing the public transportation company. We are committed to holding negligent parties accountable and helping our clients recover from their injuries.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a Metra accident, our attorneys are here to provide the legal support you need to move forward with confidence. Contact us today for a free consultation, and let us help you secure the justice and compensation you deserve.

Resources: [1] Metra

All content undergoes thorough legal review by experienced attorneys, including Jonathan Rosenfeld. With 25 years of experience in personal injury law and over 100 years of combined legal expertise within our team, we ensure that every article is legally accurate, compliant, and reflects current legal standards.