Train Death Chicago: What To Know And What To Do After Serious Injury Due To CTA Negligence.
According to statistics by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, almost every 2 hours, there is a train accident whereby a train hits either a person or a vehicle due to derailments. There are different types of train accidents. It could be train-car crashes, train-train collisions, train-person accidents, or property damage.
Train death Chicago occurs when a serious life altering injuiry or death. This can be the result of riding the CTA (Chicago Transit Autority) trains, Metra, or even freight trains which pass through Chicago and its suburbs. The size and pweor of trains make injuries involving them particularly more likely to cause serious injury or death. Speakign with a lawyer right away after such a tragedy is vital.
Rise in Train Death
Given the increase in train death in Chicago, you need to be aware of the steps you need to take after being involved in a serious train accident. Other than getting catastrophic injuries in a train accident, finding out the liable party and recovering compensation can prove to be difficult. Here are the seven steps to take after being a victim of a serious train accident;
- Seek Medical Attention
Train accidents are often severe, and thus they can involve severe or fatal injuries. If you are in a position to call for help, call for medical emergency services.
Unfortunately, people only call for help when they are bleeding. Note that even if you barely have a scratch on your body, some injuries do not show external symptoms until days later.
Therefore, it is essential to have a thorough check-up, even if you think you are okay. Besides, seeing a doctor helps document your injuries, which will be necessary should you choose to seek legal action.
- Make a Formal Report
Irrespective of where the accident occurred, you need to report it to the relevant authorities. In this case, the relevant authority will be the train station. This report will be essential if you choose to pursue legal actions.
While at the station reporting, you need to take time to contact any other people who may have witnessed the accident. Check if anyone is willing to collaborate on your story or testify on your behalf.
- Gather Evidence
If you are okay and the doctor has confirmed it, the next step is to gather evidence. If you're not in a position to do so, you can request someone else to preserve the evidence for you. Evidence can be in the form of a dashcam video or any other recording of the accident. You can also take photos of the scene in an attempt to show the cause of the accident.
- Get in Touch With Your Insurance
You need to call your insurance company and let them know about the accident as soon as you can. Explain to them what happened and if you can wait for an insurance representative to arrive at the scene of the accident.
- Try to Figure Out Who is Liable
Unfortunately, it is not easy to tell who is liable for a car accident in a train accident. For example, there can be numerous liable parties, the train company, the track owner, the conductor, the train manufacturer, or the motor vehicle driver.
Figuring out the liable party is difficult, especially if it involves a train death in Chicago. You need to seek the services of a reliable personal injury attorney like Desavlolaw.
- Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer or Attorney
Train accidents have a complex nature. Understanding the liable party, proving your case, and getting compensated needs you to hire the best personal injury lawyer.
A lawyer will help you through the process. They can significantly help you collect evidence. Also, they can help with the negotiations between you and the insurance company.
- Show up on Court Days
Once you have hired a lawyer, he or she will open a case for you. As they work hard to get your compensation, ensure you show up during court days.
Why You Need a Personal Injury Lawyer
The loss of a loved one during a train accident is heartbreaking, especially due to someone else’s negligence. Here are some reasons to hire a personal injury lawyer:
- They are Committed to Personal Injury Cases
Personal injury lawyers focus on helping people who have been affected through the act of negligence of another party. Thus, you stand a better chance of getting compensation compared to hiring an all-purpose law firm.
- Insurance is Complicated and Could be Confusing
You probably think insurance is straightforward until you suffer a loss and are left stranded. Insurance is a complex process that most people understand.
Hiring a personal injury lawyer will help you get the right guidance and interpretation of the options available to you. Also, they are in a better position to negotiate and advocate for your rights, some of which may not be known to you.
Besides, setting claims is a time-consuming process. Working side by side with a lawyer gives you a connection to their vast network, which can help speed up the process.
- Familiarity with the Judicial System
If you have been to court proceedings before, you know how formal and confusing they can be. While you can file charges on your own, chances are you have minimal information about how the court operates.
Therefore, hiring a personal injury lawyer places you at an advantage. Your lawyer or attorney will always ensure you are well-prepared for your court appearances.
- A Personal Injury Lawyer Only Earns if You Get Compensated
Unlike how other lawyers charge before their services, a personal injury lawyer only earns after you get compensated. They charge a contingency fee, which means once you get your share of compensation, they deduct a percentage from it. That means they only get paid if you get paid. That is enough motivation for the lawyer to represent you fully and ensure you win the lawsuit at hand.
Final Words
Have you, or has someone you love, been a victim of a train accident? Contact Desalvo Law Firm to get the best help in your case. We have an experienced team of attorneys who can take legal action by filing an injury claim to help you get compensated for property damage, medical bill, and lost wages on your behalf. Call us today and schedule a free consultation with us.
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