Were you or a loved one involved in a railroad accident in Peoria, IL? You may deserve compensation from the at-fault party. Our experienced Peoria railroad accident lawyer at Joel E. Brown, P.C. can help you fight to recover full compensation for all accident-related damages. That includes medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.
Our founding attorney has over 30 years of experience in personal injury law. We’re proud to offer the high-quality, effective legal representation you deserve. Our approach has already helped us to recover millions of dollars on behalf of our injured clients.
Hiring an experienced injury attorney is the best way to ensure you’re getting every dollar you deserve. To learn more, call our law offices in Peoria, Illinois to schedule a free consultation today at (309) 673-4357.
Why Call Joel E. Brown, P.C. for Help After a Railroad Accident in Peoria
A railroad accident can change your life in a second. In the aftermath, many victims have no idea where to turn for help.
Consulting an experienced Peoria personal injury attorney should be your first step after receiving medical attention. Joel E. Brown, P.C. has been recognized as a Top 100 Trial Lawyer in America. He’s also earned a place on the Million Dollar Advocates’ Forum.
Since we started our law practice back in 2000, we’ve been helping accident victims by:
- Comprehensively investigating the circumstances of the accident
- Hiring respected experts to testify about complex and contested issues
- Locating all parties who are legally responsible for an accident
- Determining the fair value of our clients’ injury cases
- Negotiating for full and fair insurance settlement deals
- Advocating fiercely for our clients at trial if necessary
You can count on our Peoria personal injury lawyer to put the full weight of his legal experience to work for your family. Call our law firm today to learn more about how we can help.
How Common Are Railroad Accidents?
According to research published by the National Safety Council, 954 people were killed in railroad accidents across the U.S. in 2022. When compared to 2021, that represents an 11% increase in railroad accident fatalities. That study also found that at least 6,252 people were injured in railroad accidents in 2022.
Highway-rail crossings were found to be the most dangerous location when it comes to train accidents. Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) research identified 2,192 highway-rail grade crossing accidents in 2023.
Unfortunately, the FRA reports that Illinois ranks sixth in the nation when it comes to accidents at rail crossings, with 102 reported accidents, 18 deaths and 22 injuries.
What is My Peoria Railroad Accident Case Worth?
Personal injury cases are incredibly fact-specific. Your case will be different from any other victim. Even if you share similar injuries, your damages are unique. Before estimating your case value, your lawyer will have to evaluate all relevant facts and circumstances.
Some of the most important issues our lawyers will examine include:
- The types of injuries you have suffered and their severity
- The length of your recovery period
- The cost of your medical treatment costs
- Income you have lost due to the injuries
- The long-term impact a serious injury will have on your earning capacity
- Whether you share any fault for the accident and injury
- Your personal losses, including damage to your quality of life
- Whether you will require ongoing assistance with basic activities
- The nature of the responsible party’s actions
Most injury victims don’t fully understand their case value. While tallying up your financial costs may seem simple, that’s far from the whole story. You’ll also have to account for anticipated future expenses–because you won’t be able to return to the negotiating table and ask for more later.
Our law firm has access to experts who can help us establish your likely future losses. We also know how to help you put a dollar value on your subjective personal losses.
What Types of Damages Are Available to Railroad Accident Victims in Illinois?
If someone else caused your accident, you can seek compensation for all identifiable losses you have suffered. That includes economic damages and non-economic damages.
Common economic damages that injury victims can pursue include:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost wages and employment benefits
- Lost future earning capacity
- Rehabilitation and therapy
- Skilled nursing care and in-home help
- Property damage
- Federal Employers’ Labor Act (FELA) benefits if you were injured while working in the railroad industry
Your personal losses are also likely to be extensive, especially if you were seriously injured.
Examples of these non-economic damages include:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- PTSD and fear
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Diminished quality of life
- Disfigurement
- Scarring
- Mental health issues, including depression or anxiety
- Loss of consortium and other damages for wrongful death
Depending on the nature of the at-fault party’s actions, punitive damages may be available. While rare, punitive damages punish a defendant when their acts are found to be intentional or shockingly reckless.
How Much Does it Cost to Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer in Peoria?
Our team at Joel E. Brown, P.C. charges contingency fees. Instead of upfront retainer fees or hourly rates, we take our attorneys’ fees out of your final compensation award. When you hire us, you’ll agree to pay a percentage of the money we recover in your case.
How Can Illinois Shared Fault Laws Impact My Right to Compensation After a Railroad Accident?
Every state has its own rules when it comes to shared fault. When multiple parties share blame, liability is divided between them. Under Illinois’ “modified comparative negligence” law, you lose your right to compensation if you’re mostly responsible for your own injuries. If your percentage of fault is less than 51%, your compensation is reduced accordingly.
Our Team in Peoria Will Fight to Recover Compensation for All of Your Railroad Accident Injuries
Railroad injuries always have the potential to be severe or even catastrophic.
Our Peoria railroad accident attorney at Joel E. Brown, P.C. is prepared to handle all types of injury claims, including those involving:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Chest injuries
- Crushing injuries and broken bones
- Organ damage
- Paralysis and other spinal cord injuries
- Concussions
- Dislocations
- Shoulder injuries
- Soft tissue damage
- Head and neck injuries
- Whiplash injuries
- Internal bleeding
- Burns
- Amputations
- Catastrophic injuries
- Wrongful death of a loved one
A serious train accident can leave you struggling with multiple serious injuries. Our team in Peoria is here to handle the fight for compensation while you work toward recovery. Contact us today to arrange a free case review to learn more.
What Causes Most Railroad Accidents in Illinois?
Railroad accidents are most likely to occur when people are negligent, or careless.
Some of the most common causes of railroad accidents include:
- Speeding
- Crossing gate malfunctions
- Communication failures
- Mechanical failures
- Inexperienced train conductors
- Poor track maintenance
- Signal malfunctions
- Train operators or drivers who are distracted
- Driver fatigue
- Negligent hiring practices
- Outdated infrastructure and equipment
- Violation of Federal Railroad Administration regulations
- Missing or damaged safety equipment
- Slip and fall accidents when a train or station is poorly maintained
- Drug or alcohol use by train operators or drivers in motor vehicles
- Obstacles on the train tracks
- Trespassers
- Suicide
- Passenger violence
Identifying the cause of an accident is one of the first steps in establishing liability. If you were injured in a railroad accident, we can help you determine who was responsible.
How Do I Prove I Deserve Financial Compensation After a Railroad Accident in Illinois?
Whether your accident occurred due to the conductor’s error or some type of mechanical or technical error, you’ll likely have to prove negligence to recover compensation.
In plain English, negligence is a failure to exercise the proper amount of caution under the circumstances.
In legal terms, you’ll have to provide evidence about the following elements:
- The defendant’s duty of care
- A breach of duty
- Causation, meaning that the breach actually caused the accident
- The damages, or harm, you suffered
Both federal and Illinois state authorities are probably already investigating the accident. The railroad company will conduct its own investigation. You deserve an attorney who is specifically looking for evidence to prove your case. We’re here to help in any way we can, so give us a call today.
How Long Do I Have to File a Personal Lawsuit for Damages After a Railroad Accident in Illinois?
Under Illinois state law, most injury victims have two years from the date of an accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. Depending on the defendants in your case, a different deadline might apply.
In any case, it’s best to take legal action sooner rather than later. While it might take time to locate the evidence we need to prove your case, we can take steps to preserve your right to damages today.
Contact a Peoria Railroad Accident Lawyer for a Free Consultation
If you were injured in a railroad accident, our Peoria railroad accident lawyer is here to protect your legal rights. Call Joel E. Brown, P.C. to schedule your 100% free consultation today.