In the early hours of November 3, 20011, a train derailment lead to a fiery scene after the collision of two trains in the area of unincorporated Cook County between Elgin and Bartlett. The derailment has caused the temporary closure of the Milwaukee West Line.

Around 5:30 a.m., twenty-two cars derailed and three began to burn after the collision occurred between two trains on the Canadian National rail lines that are north-south tracks at the point where they cross with the east-west Milwaukee West commuter rail line. One of the trains was a northbound Canadian National freight train. 

There were no reported injuries and nor were there any evacuations. The cars that were carrying toxic material of acid and sodium hydroxide (lye) were cleared from the derailment area and did not catch afire. However, the storage sheds for the Milwaukee Commuter line were blocked by the derailment which prevented the cars for east and west bound lines from being dispatched. This is expected to last through Friday as crews clean up the accident site.

Train derailments can cause more than delays in commuter rail lines.

If you or a loved one knows someone who has injuries as a result of a train derailment, call Spiros Law at 815-929-9292 to find out your legal rights. Visit the website at www.spiroslaw.com.

The town of Tiskilwa in north-central Illinois was evacuated on October 7, 2011 when a train with 126 cars derailed. At least six tanker cars were burning.

 According to a story by the Associated Press, witnesses reported hearing several explosions.
 
The derailment took place around 2:00 in the morning about one half mile outside of the town, cause approximately 60 cars carrying ethanol to leave the tracks. Residents reported that it sounded like a jet coming over the town. The glow of the fire could be seen from several miles away.
 
There have been no reports of injuries but Tiskilwa, located 100 miles west of Chicago, was evacuated its 800 residents, many to Princeton High School. Emergency crews from Utica, Oglesby, Peru and LaSalle County were on site to put out the fire. A foam product used for putting out fires was being used as water would be ineffective on this type of fire. 
 
If you or a love one has been injured due to a train accident, call Spiros Law 815-929-9292 to learn your legal rights. Visit the website at www.spiroslaw.com.

A mishap in the Norfolk Southern rail yard in west Kankakee cost a Cabery man his life on Wednesday, February 9, 2011.
 
Stanley Watts, 43, was working in the yard in the afternoon as two train cars were being switched. According to the Kankakee County Coroner Bob Gessner, Watts became trapped between two cars and suffered multiple injuries that lead to his death. Watts leaves behind a wife and children
 
Because the accident happened on railroad property, Occupational Safety and Health Administration officials are not conducting an investigation.
 
Unfortunately, accidents at the work place can lead to a loss of life.

If this has happened to your family, contact Spiros Law at 815-929-9292 to find out your legal options in this situation. Visit our website at www.spiroslaw.com.

Braidwood was the scene of a train accident when an Eastbound Amtrak passenger train hit a car at a Braidwood railroad crossing that has warning lights and sounds but no gates.

 According to the Daily Journal, the victim was crossing the tracks northbound on Division Street when it was struck by the train just after 11 am on August 15th.

The car was then pushed a block east down the tracks.

 It would take rescuers 19 minutes to extract the victim from the wreckage. That Braidwood resident was airlifted to Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital in Downers Grove. It was determined that the both the lights and sounds were working at the time of the accident.

 If you or a loved one has been hurt in a train accident, call Spiros Law to find out your legal options at (815) 929-9292.

A freight train crashed through a Chapel Steel Co. building last Thursday.

According to police reports, the freight train’s railcars were not ordered properly, causing the train to crash through the building’s rear.

The rear of the building had an opening big enough for a 14-foot-tall car, but the freight train was 16 feet tall. The building is located at 1101 E. 5000N Road near the Canadian National Railroad.

If you or anyone you know has been injured in a train accident, contact the Kankakee train accident attorneys of Spiros Law, P.C., at 815-929-9292.