Millions of people use public and private transportation methods each day to travel to their jobs, vacations and other commitments. Whether they are flying on a plane or boarding a train, many travelers understand the risks associated with letting other people be responsible for their movements.
A very scary event recently happened right here in Chicago when a commuter train crashed at O’Hare International Airport. The train derailed and apparently traveled part of the way up the escalator in the station to the airport before stopping. As a result of the eight-car train crash, at least 30 people suffered injuries though thankfully no fatalities were reported.
News reports suggest that the train’s operator fell asleep prior to the crash and that she did not wake up until after the accident had begun to occur. It was the driver’s second accident on the job. Last month she reportedly overshot a station when she allegedly fell asleep at the controls.
The severity of this incident coupled with the driver’s history of sleeping on the job raises serious questions about the sufficiency of oversight exercised by the transit company responsible for the train. While the National Transportation Safety Board is examining this event, Chicago commuters may harbor serious reservations about using a transportation system that permits overtired employees to operate massive, dangerous vehicles.
Victims in accidents such as this may suffer lengthy recoveries as they battle through their injuries. Some of their initial ailments may turn out to be serious injuries that require medical treatment and hospital care. As the victims’ medical costs mount, their concerns about paying off their obligations may also rise as well.
This dramatic story is just one of the many transportation-related accidents that injured innocent people in the city of Chicago in recent weeks. Individuals who are struggling to physically and financially recover from accidents caused by other people may choose to speak with personal injury attorneys about their legal options for pursuing damages through lawsuits.
