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The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) is the public transportation authority within the Philadelphia region.
SEPTA ranks as the largest transit system in Pennsylvania and the sixth-largest in the United States. This vast size makes SEPTA is responsible for allowing citizens with Philadelphia to travel within the five counties that it currently serves.
However, like some transportations services, there is always the risk that you may become involved in an accident and sustain injuries. SEPTA takes on accident risk each time one of its vehicles leaves the station. In fact, SEPTA contributes to injuries and deaths due to the negligent operation of trains, buses, and trolleys.
The Philadelphia Inquirer wrote about SEPTA’s most notable accidents, pointing out dozens of injuries in just one year. SEPTA should be held accountable for negligently endangering the lives of Philadelphia-area citizens.
If you were involved in an accident and SEPTA was the operating party you should reach out to a Philadelphia SEPTA accident lawyer and receive a free case review.
Our Philadelphia SEPTA accident lawyer represents people injured in SEPTA bus, train, trolley, and subway accidents. SEPTA accident cases can be extremely complex.
This is due, in part, to the partial immunity granted SEPTA as a governmental agency.
Other Accident Cases We Can Help You With
Click on a link below to learn more about other areas of personal injury cases that we have experience with:
SEPTA’s Limited Liability / Immunity
As a governmental agency, SEPTA is governed by the Pennsylvania Sovereign Immunity Act. This act limits government agencies and employees from liability, with some exceptions.
While the concept seems unfair, sovereign immunity trickled into the American legal system from British common law. This law originated because ancient Brits regarded their king as divinely appointed and incapable of making wrong decisions.
While Americans view government officials as highly capable of making wrong decisions, sovereign immunity still rules.
Under the Act, SEPTA’s liability is limited to accidents:
- that were caused by its negligence, and
- that occurred while the involved vehicle (or any part thereof) was “in operation”
A vehicle is considered in operation only if it is moving.
Thus, SEPTA is shielded from liability for accidents that occur while a SEPTA vehicle is at a standstill, even if the accident resulted from SEPTA negligence.
(In some cases, SEPTA may be liable for negligently caused injuries that occurred when a part of a vehicle (such as a door) was in motion.)
Damages in SEPTA accident cases are also capped under this law. SEPTA’s liability is limited to $250,000 per injured person and a total of $1 million for each SEPTA accident.
SEPTA Accidents in Philadelphia
SEPTA accidents can result in significant injuries or death to SEPTA passengers, occupants of other vehicles, and pedestrians.
SEPTA has installed surveillance cameras on its buses, trolleys, subways, and trains.
While the cameras were intended to identify fraudulent claims, they frequently enable our Philadelphia SEPTA accident lawyer to obtain crucial evidence regarding a client’s case.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT SEPTA ACCIDENT CLAIMS
SEPTA Accidents are not handles the same as car accidents – LEARN ABOUT WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Injured victims need to realize that obtaining compensation in a SEPTA accident is not the same as other accident cases, like a car accident involving two private citizens. Instead, if SEPTA is to blame for your injuries, you will need to make a SEPTA claim on the government, which carries a host of problems.
What to Do After a SEPTA Accident
After you experience a SEPTA accident, you may feel shaken and unsure of what to do next. Follow these steps to care for yourself and preserve evidence against SEPTA.
Record evidence of the accident.
- Write down the bus or train number, route number, accident location, and time the accident happened.
- Record the name of the SEPTA driver and other drivers and passengers involved in the accident. Record the name and phone number of witnesses. The SEPTA driver should also record your name on the SEPTA incident form.
- Take photos of the damage to the bus or train, cars, and people.
- Record license plate numbers.
- Photograph street signs and any other details relevant to the accident.
Seek medical attention.
Of course, if you’re injured, you should seek medical attention first. Ask a friend or family member to record information at the scene of the accident while you get treatment. Obtain detailed medical records for all your SEPTA accident injuries.
Fulfill reporting/notice requirements.
SEPTA accident victims are also subject to strict notice requirements of a victim’s intent to sue. Victims should report SEPTA-caused injuries promptly.
Before filing a negligence claim against SEPTA, an injured party must notify SEPTA of the accident and intent to sue within 6 months of the accident.
This notice is given by filling out a form provided by SEPTA.
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Passenger Injuries
SEPTA can be liable for passenger injuries caused by SEPTA’s negligence on a moving train, subway, bus, or trolley. The agency can also be liable for passenger injuries negligently caused by moving parts of SEPTA vehicles, such as an opening or closing door.
SEPTA passengers are unprotected by seatbelts and can sustain significant injuries in the collision and other accidents. Injuries sustained by SEPTA passengers may include:
- concussions / brain damage
- burns
- amputations / limb loss
- spinal cord damage
- head and neck injuries
- paralysis
Note: The manner in which damages are collected by injured SEPTA passengers may depend upon whether the passenger owns an insured motor vehicle or lives with someone with vehicle insurance. If you own an insured motor vehicle, SEPTA will force your auto insurance to pay for your accident-related medical treatment.
A passenger injured by a SEPTA bus driver’s negligence can sue for both economic and non-economic damages.
- Economic damages include medical expenses, lost wages, auto repair costs, and any other property repair or replacement costs.
- Non-economic damages include pain and suffering, such as anxiety and depression resulting from your physical injuries.
SEPTA train and bus passengers are considered full-tort law under the Pennsylvania Motor Vehicle Financial Responsibility Law. Although Pennsylvania generally restricts compensation under limited tort law, the state allows an exception for passengers in commercial vehicles.
The full-tort designation means your lawsuit is not constrained by financial limitations. Even if you have a limited tort auto policy, your case is governed by full-tort law.
Injuries Suffered By Other Vehicles Passengers
SEPTA may also be liable for injuries negligently caused to drivers and passengers of other vehicles.
Collisions between cars and SEPTA buses, trolleys, or trains can cause massive damage and devastating injuries. If another driver caused the accident, that driver is liable for damages and injuries to SEPTA passengers.
However, if a SEPTA transit method caused the accident, SEPTA is liable for damages and injuries. SEPTA negligence that can result in liability to drivers and passengers of automobiles includes:
- driving while using cell phone or other distracted driving
- driving while fatigued or under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- aggressive or reckless driving
- traffic law and road rule violations
Any of these forms of negligence could result in an accident that results in injuries to passengers, drivers, and pedestrians. If you’ve experienced such an accident, you should hold SEPTA responsible for its unsafe operation.
Pedestrian Injuries
Pedestrians are the most vulnerable of SEPTA accident victims. Accidents involving pedestrians and large vehicles such as buses or trains frequently result in death or life-long, catastrophic injuries.
SEPTA operators owe pedestrians the same duty of care they owe to drivers and passengers of other vehicles and an even greater duty to child pedestrians. Negligence resulting in liability to injured pedestrians may include:
- speeding, disobeying traffic signals, and other traffic law violations
- failing to give pedestrians the right of way in crosswalks
- failing to keep a lookout for children near schools and parks
Contact a Philadelphia SEPTA Accident Attorney
Were you injured in an accident involving a SEPTA bus, trolley, train, or subway?
Our Philadelphia SEPTA accident lawyer can help you obtain the compensation you deserve. Contact us today for a free case evaluation of your case.
“Made A Very Complicated Process To Go Smooth”
Dear Mr. Arnold,
I came to Louis Arnold through my father, who had used him for a personal injury lawsuit and was very pleased with his services. When I had a car accident back in 2014 I knew who to turn to Louis and his staff made a very complicated process to go smooth. Louis and his staff worked tirelessly on my car accident case until a positive result was achieved. Above all else, I was most pleased with the fact that Louis and his entire staff genuinely cared about me, worked hard and updated us through the entire process. They were in communication with me on a regular basis, letting me know how the case was proceeding and when I had a question either by email or phone call I always had an answer within 24 hours or less. I would recommend Louis Arnold and his entire team to anyone needing personal injury legal services. They made the entire process as painless as possible during a very stressful time.
– Fred K.
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