It is common to hear about truck accidents and auto accidents, but far less common are train accidents. However, when they occur, they can be serious. On November 30, just such an accident occurred on Chicago’s South Side, causing 60 people on an Amtrak train to suffer injuries when it struck a Norfolk Southern freight train. Although the speed limit on the track is normally 79 mph, a warning signal told the driver to slow down to 15 mph due to the presence of another train on the track. However, the driver slowed to only 40 mph, and even after applying the emergency brakes, the Amtrak train was still traveling 35 mph when it struck the freight train.
Now the first lawsuit over this Chicago train accident has been filed. Six members of a Michigan family who were riding the train to come to Chicago for shopping and holiday sightseeing were all injured in the crash. The senior member of the family, suffered a minor brain injury and other severe injuries when the crash occurred. He had just risen from his seat, but the other five members of the family, who were seated, suffered far more minor injuries.
The Michigan family hired a Chicago area personal injury lawyer to sue both Amtrak and Norfolk Southern for negligence leading to the crash, including poor communication, excessive speed, and other factors.
If you or someone you love was injured in this needless accident, contact the Law Firm of Barry G. Doyle, P.C, where an experienced Chicago accident attorney will handle your claim and make sure you do not suffer more than you have already suffered.
