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Did Operator Training Errors Cause Your SEPTA Injury?

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A steep rise in SEPTA accidents has led the Pennsylvania Transit Authority to conduct an update of its training policies. SEPTA recently experienced its 10th crash this year, in which two SEPTA buses crashed, and three people were seriously injured.

The change in training policy means 9,000 SEPTA workers will now undergo new guidance on vehicle operation and standard safety procedures. 

If you suffer an injury on a SEPTA vehicle, you may claim compensation for your medical expenses and potential loss of income during your injury recovery. Your SEPTA accident lawyer will analyze the driver’s training and determine whether SEPTA can be held responsible. 

In analyzing SEPTA’s training, your SEPTA accident lawyer will review the following:

  • Was the driver responsible for any past accidents?

If the operator of the SEPTA vehicle was responsible for past accidents, your lawyer may have a claim for negligence in your SEPTA injury case. SEPTA is legally responsible for reporting all driver incidents and taking unsafe operators involved in an accident off the schedule.

  • Was the driver trained on that model of SEPTA vehicle?

SEPTA upgrades their vehicles often, requiring operators to undergo new safety training procedures. In some cases, mistakes occur when a driver operates a SEPTA vehicle for which they have not received the required training. The recent change in training policies and new guidance from SEPTA for their operators suggests their current operators may not have been equipped to safely drive their trains, buses, and trolleys.

  • Is the operator’s training documentation up-to-date?

In some cases, SEPTA operators may not have met the qualifications for operating a SEPTA vehicle, and there may have been a lapse in background checking during either the hiring or training process. In investigating the potential for a SEPTA accident case, your SEPTA accident injury lawyer will explore the driver’s background in detail, analyzing their work history and past accidents before pinpointing any concerns documented by management.

The Benefits of Legal Advice in Your SEPTA Negligence Claim

While you may try to pursue your claim against SEPTA alone and without legal help, you’re at a disadvantage compared to injured SEPTA riders who work with a qualified SEPTA accident injury lawyer

An Accident Attorney with Experience in SEPTA Negligence Claims Can Help You:

Meet the Filing Deadlines

You have six months after an injury on a SEPTA vehicle to file a Notice of Intent to sue SEPTA. Within six months, you must collect the required evidence, complete the notice forms, and provide this information to SEPTA. A qualified SEPTA accident lawyer can help you streamline the filing processing using their experience working on SEPTA cases and their knowledge of Pennsylvania law.

Communicate with SEPTA Stakeholders

SEPTA stakeholders will contact you regarding your injury and evidence you might have to prove your claims. Hiring a qualified SEPTA injury lawyer to represent you at this time can help you focus on your day-to-day life and minimize potential communication mistakes that might reduce your final settlement or even cause you to lose your case.

Negotiate with Insurance Firms

SEPTA works with the top Pennsylvania insurance firms in handling claims against their operators. You’ll get the best SEPTA case results by hiring a highly experienced litigator with proven experience settling SEPTA cases as your legal advocate. Your lawyer will face the insurance firms and fight for your legal rights at every stage of the SEPTA settlement negotiation process.

Injured on a SEPTA Vehicle? Call Jeffrey Penneys for a Free SEPTA Case Review

In light of the recent rise in SEPTA accidents and the new SEPTA training procedures, it’s best to speak with Jeffrey Penneys about your potential SEPTA injury case. Jeffrey Penneys has decades of experience in SEPTA bus, train, and trolley injury cases and can help you determine the best next steps in your pursuit of justice. 

Contact Jeffrey Penneys today via 215-798-9416 to discuss your SEPTA case with a top Pennsylvania injury lawyer. 

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