Pennsylvania Septa Accident Attorneys
The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority, or SEPTA as it is more commonly known by Philadelphia area commuters, transports 1.1 million people everyday on commuter rails, trains, buses, subways, and trolleys. While commuting via mass transit can be an efficient and easy way to travel around the greater Philadelphia area, hundreds of accidents occur every year on SEPTA vehicles, and while many incidents are minor and cause no injuries, some accidents result in serious injuries and wrongful death. Many people don’t know that they amy be entitled to financial compensation for their injuries if they were injured in an accident involving SEPTA transportation, and find themselves strapped with medical bills and unable to work. Lawsuits and claims against SEPTA can be very complicated and complex, requiring an attorney with the experience and knowledge to assist you recover what you are entitled to.
Accidents may occur on each of SEPTA’s forms of transportation, from buses, para transit buses to commuter rails and trackless trolleys. Just recently there were two different SEPTA bus accidents, one in which a man was run over by a bus exiting a terminal, and another where a SEPTA bus collided with a van. These SEPTA accidents resulted in one death and three injuries. SEPTA Commuter trains, trolleys, and subways may derail, or mechanical problems and fires could result in accidents or sudden stops, causing neck and back injuries to riders. Sadly, pedestrians and SEPTA workers are killed or seriously injured every year after being struck by a moving train, bus, or trolley. Operator error and improper orders or maintenance can lead to two trains or trolleys colliding on the same track. Inadequately trained operators and drivers, and lack of proper maintenance to SEPTA vehicles can also lead to unnecessary accidents and injuries. SEPTA maintenance workers are at a risk of injury due to the dangerous working environment around fast moving locomotives and high voltage electrical grids. In some SEPTA accidents, a defective product design or defect can be the cause of a catastrophic injury or wrongful death.
In addition to accidents and injuries that occur while on a SEPTA vehicle, there are also countless accidents that occur at SEPTA terminals, station stops, and concourses. Leaky pipes , malfunctioning drains, and improperly maintained and cleaned premises can cause slip and fall accidents, and crumbling walls and ceilings can strike pedestrians causing head and neck injuries. SEPTA controls and maintains several bridges along various commuter rail lines, and one report by an engineer shows that many of them are in poor condition and a state of disrepair. If an accident occurs at a terminal, stop or station that is maintained by SEPTA, they may be held responsible for failing to maintain safe premises for its passengers. Many assaults occur on subways and trolleys, or in subway tunnels, and a lack of security could make SEPTA responsible for failing to adequately protect its customers from foreseeable harm.
If you or someone you love has been catastrophically injured or killed in a SEPTA accident, the experienced Philadelphia public transportation accident attorneys of Reiff & Bily strongly encourage you to consult an experienced SEPTA accident lawyer in order to fully protect your rights. Because SEPTA has been deemed a state agency, there are certain laws regarding lawsuits that you must follow, and time limits within which you must file a claim, or else you may forever lose your right to seek compensation. As frequent users of SEPTA transportation ourselves, and having worked in the Philadelphia region for over thirty years, our attorneys have a deep understanding of these laws, and know the best possible way to get you compensation to cover your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. There are limits to the amount of compensation SEPTA is required to pay for accidents, so it is important to seek experienced legal advice as soon as possible to make sure you get the damages you deserve. The experienced SEPTA accident lawyers of Reiff & Bily have a proven track record of success and have won hundreds of million dollars on behalf of catastrophically injured clients and their families. We have over three decades of experience representing generations of Philadelphians injured in SEPTA related accidents. Contact us today at 215-246-9000 for a free consultation, and we will determine whether you have a claim.
