Traveling throughout Philadelphia is made simpler by the use of the subway system. Many people utilize this every day in order to get to where they need to be, whether it may be for work or leisure. While, most of the time, this is done without a problem, it is possible for subway accidents to happen. When a person is involved in these accidents, they can suffer from significant physical, emotional, and financial damages as a result. It is because of this that it is possible to recover financial compensation as coverage with the assistance of an experienced Philadelphia personal injury attorney.
What are Causes of a Subway Accident?
There are many ways a subway accident can happen in the city of Philadelphia. The unfortunate reality of the situation is that they are most often due to the negligence of another party. This may be by maintenance workers, operators, etc. The most common causes of subway accidents can include the following:
- Blocked walkways
- Poor lighting
- Broken escalators
- Broken stairs or platforms
- Sudden stops
- Derailments or collisions
- Doors closing too fast
- Robberies and other criminal activity due to inadequate security
- People being dragged under the trail
What Should I Do After a Subway Accident?
When a person is injured in a subway accident, the first thing they should do is call the necessary emergency services. This ensures the police respond at the scene of the accident. Once there, they can document the incident with important information in a police report. In addition to this, they can make sure that an ambulance is sent to treat all injuries sustained.
It is important to victims of an accident to not leave it up to the police to gather all of the necessary information. For example, they should also speak to any witnesses to obtain their contact information so that they can back up their claim in court if need be. In addition to this, pictures and videos should be taken of the scene and any hazards to be used as proof. After being treated at the hospital, it is important to keep all medical documentation regarding the injuries to be used in court as well.
How Long Do I Have to File a Claim?
Generally speaking, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims in the state of Pennsylvania is two years. This allows injured parties that long from the date of their injury to file a claim. However, the subway system in Philadelphia is run by the municipality. In these situations, there is a different process in place to file a claim. When suing a municipality, injured parties are required to file a Notice of Claim. The state of Pennsylvania allows six months from the date of the injury for an injured party to file a written Notice of Claim.
Contact our Firm
If you or a loved one has been in a personal injury accident in Pennsylvania, it’s important that you contact an experienced Philadelphia personal injury attorney to help you with your case and to make sure that you are not taken advantage of. Contact Spear Greenfield to get the right attorney in your corner.
Call or text (215) 985-2424 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
