Naperville, IL (April 29, 2022) – A pedestrian was struck and killed by a Metra BNSF train on Friday morning, April 29, at the Naperville station, per reports from the transit agency.
The inbound train number 1214 struck the person around 6:00 a.m., according to Metra spokeswoman Meg Reile. The victim, identified only as an adult female, was pronounced dead at the scene.
The train had no passengers at the time, and Metra said all inbound and outbound trains were halted for about an hour after the incident. The station was closed for several hours for the investigation, but further details were not immediately available.
We would like to extend our deepest condolences to the family of the deceased woman.
Commuter Train Accidents in Illinois
One of the largest railroad and train companies in North America, BNSF Railway has seen a plethora of serious accidents and fatal incidents since its inception in 1996. In fact, authorities have reported at least 15 major incidents involving injuries or fatalities over the past two decades.
Furthermore, Illinois is home to the second-highest number of railway crossings in the United States, second only to Texas. From train crossings in rural areas to busy tracks in the Chicagoland area, Illinois ranks among the top states in the nation for railway accidents as well.
As high-speed rail grows throughout the country, with metro trains booming in popularity, it’s more important than ever for policymakers to place an emphasis on safety regulations and for commuters to stay aware. Though fatal train accidents remain relatively low compared to car wrecks, they remain all too common in the greater Chicago area and beyond.
When victims are involved in these train accidents, they typically suffer major injuries or are killed. Adding insult to injury, when one of these incidents is caused by the reckless actions of another party, victims and their family members still pay the price.
Emotional trauma, exorbitant financial expenses, long-term physical ailments, and lost wages are just a few of the devastating consequences that may befall victims in the aftermath of an accident. In the case that victims die, their mourning family members may have to shoulder hefty medical bills and funerary costs, all while dealing with the grief of losing their loved one.
But if you’ve been affected by an accident that’s occurred through no fault of your own or have lost a loved one, you may have several legal options available to you as you move forward.
Wrongful Death Attorney in Naperville
If you’ve been affected by one of these incidents, you should contact a railroad accident attorney in Chicago right away. The Illinois Wrongful Death Act allows those who are hurt by another party’s negligence to seek compensation from the responsible person or entity. If a suit is successful, compensation is then awarded to family members or next of kin.
However, obtaining a full, fair monetary award in a wrongful death claim can be difficult, so retaining an attorney as soon as you can in the aftermath of an accident is essential.
At the D&W Law Group, we know what it takes to navigate the complicated Illinois legal system. Moreover, we stop at nothing to fight for the fair, full monetary award you deserve when you’ve lost a loved one in a preventable accident.
We believe grieving families should never be forced to cover expenses related to their loved one’s wrongful death. When you get in touch with our skilled, experienced legal team, we will organize the facts of your case and ensure your claim is filed in a timely manner. As a result, you and yours can rest assured that you have the best chance of a successful accident claim.
Please get in touch with the D&W Law Group at 312-888-8888 for a no-cost consultation tailored to your needs. Our dedicated and compassionate Chicago-area wrongful death attorneys are ready to review your legal options and help you seek justice for your lost loved one today.
Note: Our team of writers uses secondary sources including news reports, police accident reports, social media posts, and sometimes, eyewitness accounts to compose these posts. Our firm has not independently verified any of the facts surrounding this particular accident, therefore, if you locate any information that is not correct, please let us know right away. We will correct the post to reflect the most accurate information available. We will remove a post upon request.
Disclaimer: This is not a solicitation for business. The information provided in this post is not intended to be legal advice or medical advice. If you or a loved one is injured in an accident, always seek medical assistance as soon as possible. The photo used in this post was not taken at the described accident scene.