Teen killed in Illinois railroad accident

On behalf of Jeffrey Frederick of Frederick & Hagle posted in Train Accidents on Thursday, March 5, 2015.

Winter weather can wreak havoc in a multitude of ways. Heavy snowfall could result in homes and businesses losing power, and icy conditions can create considerable dangers on the roadways. Many areas that often experience such weather know how to prepare, but if a roadway is not properly cleared and salted to prevent ice, a vehicle could lose control and be involved in a railroad accident.

It was recently reported that a fatal accident recently took place in Illinois involving a vehicle and a train. It was reported that the driver of the car was a 19-year-old girl and that she was traveling the roadway when she came to the railroad crossing. It was noted that the crossing was at the bottom of a hill and that the snowy conditions of the roadway likely played a role in the accident.

The girl sadly suffered fatal injuries and was declared dead at the scene. No individuals on the train were injured in the crash. Authorities called trucks to come to the area to lay salt, but it was unclear whether the area had been salted to prevent ice before the incident took place.

Because the Illinois railroad accident resulted in the death of a driver, the family of the deceased may wish to determine whether other individuals could potentially be held liable for the incident. If there is reason to believe that the roadway had not been salted before the incident or that other extenuating circumstances may have led to the accident, the family may wish to consider a wrongful death claim. Filing such a claim could allow them to seek compensation for their emotional and financial losses.

Source: Chicago Tribune, “1 dead after Metra strikes vehicle in Woodstock“, Amanda Marrazzo and Carlos Sadovi, Feb. 26, 2015