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Is SEPTA Really at Fault for Your Accident?

SEPTA at fault?

Thousands of commuters in Philadelphia and the surrounding areas rely on public transportation to get to work, run errands, and even go to the doctor’s office. They depend on SEPTA to get them from one location to the next safely.

SEPTA has dozens of ways to take passengers where they need to go, from their public buses to trolleys to trains and more. With so many SEPTA modes of transportation out there – and the growing number of motor vehicles on the road, too – there may be a time when you find yourself involved in a SEPTA accident.

There are instances when SEPTA is at-fault for the accident, such as when errors made by an operator caused the accident. Other times, a passenger vehicle caused the accident and SEPTA was nothing more than a victim. Regardless of the situation, if you are ever in an accident involving public transportation, it is in your best interest to speak with an attorney who has experience handling SEPTA and government entity claims.

What Types of SEPTA Injury Cases Can an Attorney Help With?

Personal injury attorneys like Jeffrey H. Penneys work as advocates for accident victims. They fight hard for victims of SEPTA incidents to collect the compensation that they are entitled to receive.

Some examples of accidents with which a SEPTA attorney can assist include:

  • Train accidents
  • Bus accidents
  • Paratransit incidents
  • Pedestrian incidents
  • Motor vehicle accidents
  • Trolley accidents
  • Bicycle collisions

There may be instances where the accident includes a slip and fall on a SEPTA bus or at a SEPTA facility. A slip or trip and fall accident often occurs due to improper maintenance of the SEPTA property, such as uneven sidewalks, broken steps, leaking pipes, and more.

Can I Receive Damages from SEPTA?

If SEPTA is responsible for your accident, then yes, you can collect damages from them. The compensation you receive, however, depends on the circumstances of the claim and whether you were partially at-fault for the incident, as well.

Typically, a SEPTA accident attorney can retrieve damages for medical costs, lost wages, loss of consortium, property losses, and possibly pain and suffering.

SEPTA Uninsured Motorist Coverage

You can also receive compensation from SEPTA even if they are NOT at fault! SEPTA has a special type of coverage for accidents where the at-fault driver of another vehicle is uninsured or leaves the scene without identifying themselves. This “uninsured motorist coverage” although a nice perk under these circumstances, is limited to $15,000.00 per person, or $30,000.00 per accident. This means that if one passenger is injured, they can receive up to $15,000.00. If multiple people are injured, they are limited to dividing-up $30,000.00 amongst them all.

Typically, a SEPTA accident attorney can retrieve damages for medical costs, lost wages, loss of consortium, property losses, and possibly pain and suffering.

SEPTA is a Government Entity

There are special rules and requirements for all SEPTA claims, which is why it is imperative that you hire a SEPTA accident attorney. Because SEPTA is part of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, there are protections they enjoy that a private individual does not have. And it makes sense–without these protections (“immunities”), SEPTA would be out of business very quickly, as if every time someone got hurt on a SEPTA vehicle was allowed to sue, they wouldn’t be able to run their business.

An individual injured on a SEPTA vehicle is limited to a maximum collection value of $500,000 for a single accident. If there are multiple passengers who are injured in an accident, they can all divide-up a total of $1,000,000.00.  maximum. So, if you do not file your claim quickly, you could lose the opportunity to collect anything.

Speak with a SEPTA Accident Attorney Today

If you were involved in a SEPTA accident, turn to an attorney who can help you file your claim quickly and successfully. Jeffrey H. Penneys, Esq. has been advocating for victims’ rights for years, and he can assist you with your SEPTA injuries.

Call him directly on his cell at 215-771-0430. You can also ask questions about SEPTA claims through his online contact form.

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