EFFINGHAM, Ill. — A train struck a bicyclist May 14 at 4:44 p.m. at the Jefferson Street crossing in downtown Effingham. Officials said the impact was fatal.
Authorities identified the deceased as Travis Ingram, 34. Emergency personnel transported him to HSHS St. Anthony Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 5:17 p.m.
Ingram was riding westbound on a bicycle when a northbound Canadian National Freight train struck him at the crossing.
Officials said Ingram wore headphones, which may have prevented him from hearing the train. The bicycle was found on the east side of the tracks, and the headphones on the west side.
The crossing has lights and gates but is a designated ‘quiet zone,’ meaning the train does not sound its horn.
Authorities continue to investigate the accident and urge anyone with information to contact law enforcement.
Travis Ingram tragically killed in Effingham train accident
Incident Location
TRAIN ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION
According to statistics, train accidents cause approximately 2,500 injuries and 600 deaths each year. Train accidents such as this can occur for numerous reasons, including personnel error, track failure, mechanical malfunction, or ease of access to the rail bed.
These possibilities will all be considered by investigators. Candice Bond, an experienced train accident attorney, said in such cases, it’s also imperative to have an independent investigation conducted by a seasoned lawyer to protect the rights of a victim.
“Train crashes are often complex, and many factors can play a role in these types of accidents,” said Bond, Managing Partner of Bond Legal. “A skilled attorney can protect the family of a victim from train companies, which often send their own investigators to crash sites and possess a variety of resources they can utilize in an attempt to defend their negligence. Your lawyer will advocate for you by hiring expert witnesses, locating witnesses to the crash, and reviewing applicable insurance coverage, while carefully guiding you through the legal process and vigorously protecting your best interests.”
WRONGFUL DEATH CLAIM
Pending the results of any investigations, the family of Travis Ingram may pursue a wrongful death claim. Survivors of wrongful death victims may seek damages for loss of companionship, pain and suffering, and emotional distress following a tragic or catastrophic accident such as this.
Bond, said, “Grieving families of victims are sometimes overwhelmed by the legal processes that are in place to protect their rights. An attorney can be a valuable and compassionate resource to help guide a family during difficult times and ensure that those left behind receive the restitution they are entitled to.”
If you or a family member have been involved in a situation similar to this article and would like to speak to our national legal analyst Candice Bond free of charge, please use the contact information found on this page
(Candice Bond, our national legal analyst, is a Managing Partner at Bond Legal. Accident Injury News can and does use quotes from prior interviews with our analysts for our news articles. If you would like to contact Bond Legal to help you, please call 866-986-7738 or use the submission box found on this page. Legal analysts quoted may or may not be licensed in your state).
