Union Station Train Accident Leads to Injuries | Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp

At least 12 passengers were taken to the hospital with injuries after a train accident near Union Station in Chicago, Illinois (IL). Amtrak train No. 391 hit Burlington Northern Metra Train 1242 at a turn in the tracks near Polk and Harrison, according to nbcchicago.com.

The injuries to the passengers included at least one broken rib injury and other injuries. The crash also forced one of the train’s first two cars to derail.

“The train hit the breaks, and then it hit the breaks again, so a lot of people went flying and were injured,” said Virginia Watkins, a passenger riding in the Burlington Northern Metra Train, according to the nbcchicago.com article.

Hundreds of passengers were evacuated from the trains and hundreds more were stuck on trains backed up behind the wreck.

The exact cause of this train wreck has been not officially determined, but reports indicate it may have been caused by a switching error, according to triblocal.com.

If it turns out the switch error was caused by the negligence of an operator or there was a mechanical defect, the injured victims should consult with an injury attorney to discuss their legal options. This is especially applicable to victims who miss time from work and rack up large medical bills as a result of their injury from this Union Station train accident.   

PA