Hiring a Philadelphia subway accident lawyer is critical if you have suffered severe injury or loss due to an accident caused by SEPTA or any related party. Our attorneys at Rand Spear have the experience needed to guide you in recovering your losses from these challenging cases. As public transportation, SEPTA claims are more challenging, but you should be able to seek fair compensation for your losses with the help of a Philadelphia personal injury lawyer.
Why Do You Need an Attorney in a SEPTA Accident Case?
The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) provides Philadelphia residents and visitors with public transportation throughout the city as well as into the surrounding areas of Montgomery, Chester, Bucks, and Delaware. The organization, which has 2,200 square miles of regional coverage through subways as well as trolleys, buses, and trains, is large and, while an important resource for the city, can be a dangerous tool as well. If you are hurt by a SEPTA subway or on a SEPTA subway, our attorneys will guide you in recovering your losses fully.
What complicates matters is that, as public transportation, the claims process is more complex than simply filling out a claim with an insurance company. You must be able to prove what occurred, where it happened, and why it occurred (due to negligence) to recover your losses. Having a Philadelphia subway accident lawyer is critical to ensuring this happens.
Our subway accident lawyer in Philadelphia knows how to maximize our clients’ claims. We also know how to pinpoint what went wrong to put you in such a dangerous situation. It is that type of commitment that is critical in helping you to navigate your right to compensation.
Is SEPTA Liable for My Losses After an Accident?
SEPTA is a public agency. As such, there are limitations on how it can be held responsible, specifically based on the Pennsylvania Sovereign Immunity Act. This does not mean you cannot recover your losses, but it does make the process more challenging.
This law limits the liability that both employees and the government agency have in accidents. The liability is limited to two situations that were caused by negligence and that occurred while the involved vehicle was in operation. Under the law, operating means that the subway must have been moving at the time of the incident for the city to be held liable for the losses.
This can complicate matters. If the incident occurred while the subway was not moving, even if the subway and SEPTA seem to be responsible for negligence, you may not be able to obtain compensation for your losses. More so, these losses are capped at $1 million for each incident and $250,000 per injured person.
Philadelphia Subway Accident Lawyer Near Me (215) 985-2424
Why Do SEPTA Subway Accidents Happen in Philadelphia?
One of the most important steps our attorneys take is to determine whether or not negligence occurred and if that negligence led specifically to your injuries and losses. This is complicated simply because it requires gathering as much evidence as possible to ensure no one else can hold the blame for your losses. SEPTA accidents may occur for various reasons, including:
- Poor training of operators
- Poor weather conditions
- Lack of security
- Broken or failing equipment
- Intoxication of the driver
If you are unsure what caused your accident, our Philadelphia subway accident attorney will work to gather as much information as possible to prove your case. This typically involves obtaining witness statements, using any surveillance cameras on board, and using information from the responsible party’s medical records. It also matters who caused the injury to you and why, so call Rand Spear today.
What Should You Do if You Are Hurt on a SEPTA Subway?
Our subway accident attorney in Philadelphia is always available to answer specific questions about your rights and obligations under the state’s laws. If you are hurt on a subway for any reason, seek out medical care and document every detail of the accident. From there, our team will work closely with you on the following steps.
- Gather data and details about what occurred. Write this information down. You will need to refer to it multiple times.
- Take photos of the area and the injury to document what occurred to you.
- Discuss your case only with our legal team (and keep it off social media as well), as this could influence the decisions made in your case.
- File a claim with SEPTA for the accident, providing all of the necessary information and evidence to back up your claims.
- Gather any information from witnesses who may have seen what occurred.
While you can file a claim with SEPTA yourself, we do not recommend doing so without allowing a personal injury attorney in Philadelphia to provide you with clarity and guidance. Simple mistakes in this process can cost you a great deal of time and money. Let us minimize this risk when you contact us for help.
Can I Sue SEPTA for My Subway Accident Claim?
There are situations where you can see compensation and file a claim against SEPTA for a subway-related accident, but the burden of proof is on you. For this reason, we highly recommend working very closely with our legal team to create a very detailed and well-established claim that makes it very clear that you were the victim. Going to court is not simple, but it can be done when there is a very real need to do so and to help you recover the losses you have suffered.
Schedule a Free Consultation with Our Philadelphia Subway Accident Attorney Now
At Rand Spear, The Accident Attorney, we work very closely with our clients to understand what they have lost and why, often due to SEPTA’s negligence. When you meet with us for a free case review and consultation, we will ask key questions, provide you with answers to your own questions, and help you navigate the legal rights you have to pursue financial support. Demand Rand and call us now to get the legal guidance you need.
Call or text (215) 985-2424 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
