Philadelphia, PA (November 2, 2026) – A 64-year-old woman lost her life Monday, November 2, in Southwest Philadelphia after a SEPTA trolley struck her near Clark Park.
The accident happened around 9:10 a.m. at 45th Street and Chester Avenue.
Police said the woman was jogging southbound on 45th Street. The trolley was heading eastbound on Chester Avenue when it hit her.
SEPTA said it is looking into the accident as well and will keep working with police. Police describe their investigation as active and ongoing.
Our condolences go out to the woman’s family and loved ones.
What Deadlines Apply to Transit Agency Claims in Philadelphia, PA?
Pennsylvania generally gives injured people two years to file a personal injury lawsuit, but claims against a public transit agency can carry a much shorter step first. State law generally requires written notice of the claim within six months of the injury or death. Missing that notice can put a claim at risk.
State law also limits what a person can recover from certain government-related agencies. Pennsylvania’s sovereign immunity rules lay out specific categories of claims that may move forward, and in many cases they cap damages at $250,000 for one person and $1 million in total. Whether those limits apply depends on the agency’s legal status, so it helps to confirm early which entity actually owns or operates the vehicle.
Philadelphia’s busy corridors put buses, rail vehicles, cars and pedestrians on the same streets. More than one government body or private contractor can be tied to a single transit claim.
Sorting out who owns the vehicle, who employed the operator, and who maintains the roadway usually decides which notice rules apply. A wrongful death lawyer in Philadelphia can help trace those relationships, prepare the written notice, and keep every deadline on a calendar before records such as onboard video or maintenance logs are overwritten.
Short notice windows can catch families off guard when a public agency is involved. At Rand Spear The Accident Lawyer, we can explain how Pennsylvania’s six-month notice rule and two-year filing deadline may apply to each specific claim.
You can reach Rand Spear The Accident Lawyer at 1-800-905-3425 to talk through your timeline with our team and learn more about your options.
Note: Our team of writers relies on various secondary sources to create this post, including local and state media outlets, police incident reports, social media platforms, and eyewitness accounts of serious accidents in Pennsylvania. If you notice any inaccuracies, please contact Rand Spear, The Accident Lawyer, immediately so we can correct the information and ensure the post reflects the most accurate details. Posts can also be removed upon request.
Disclaimer: The photos used in this post were not taken at this accident scene. All information in this post is informational and is not intended to be considered legal or medical advice. This post is not a solicitation for business.
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