Because a collision with a train can have devastating, often fatal, consequences, there are many safety measures in place in Illinois to protect motorists at railroad crossings. Despite these efforts, however, motor vehicle accidents involving trains can still occur. Unfortunately, multiple people were recently sent to the hospital in such a crash.
The incident happened during the early morning hours of a day in August. According to reports, the driver of a sports utility vehicle stopped at a railroad crossing. However, the driver of a van reportedly failed to stop in time, causing the van to strike the rear of the SUV.
The SUV was pushed across the tracks while the van was struck by the train. Occupants of each of the vehicles were transported to the hospital. All injured in the crash are expected to survive. The driver of the van has since been cited for failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident. The incident resulted in a road closure that lasted approximately two hours.
Anyone in Illinois who has received treatment at the hospital likely knows how quickly medical bills can pile up. These bills, in combination with lost wages, can often become a financial burden many victims of motor vehicle accidents are unprepared to handle. As a result, some who are injured as a result of another’s negligence often choose to file a personal injury lawsuit. If they successfully present their claim, they could receive a financial award that will allow them to focus on their overall recovery rather than their ability to pay their bills.
Source: wqad.com, “Early morning accident in Joslin involved two vehicles and a train“, Aug. 24, 2017
