Mass transit accidents can be frightening and have the potential to inflict serious injuries on a large number of people. Such accidents can involve train derailments or bus crashes, to name a few. If you or a loved one has been hurt in a mass transit accident in Illinois, you have the right to pursue compensation. The personal injury attorneys at Briskman Briskman & Greenberg recommend you take the following steps if you have been injured due to public transportation, such as in a CTA or Metra accident:
- Do not panic. Try to stay calm and keep a level head. Panicking will only make the situation even harder to handle. Listen to any instructions or announcements given by train staff.
- If you can, try to take photos or videos of the accident scene with your smartphone as they can serve as helpful evidence to support your claim later.
- Cooperate with first responders who arrive at the scene. Depending on the severity of your injuries, you may be taken to the ER immediately. Seek medical treatment as soon as possible even though you may feel fine or not have any noticeable injuries. Many mass transit accident victims do not experience any symptoms and conditions such as back pain, whiplash and traumatic brain injury until much later. Hold onto all medical records and bills.
- Obtain experienced legal representation. A mass transit accident attorney can explain your legal rights and help you pursue compensation for your injuries while you focus on recovery. Mass transit accidents tend to involve multiple parties such as government agencies, vehicle manufacturers and insurance companies. The lawyers at Briskman Briskman & Greenberg know how to navigate what can be a tricky legal process in order to secure the best possible outcome for you.