King of Prussia Public Transportation (SEPTA) Accident Lawyer

Experienced Attorney for SEPTA Accidents Based in King of Prussia, PA

If you have been injured in an accident involving the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA), you may have some questions about where your compensation will come from. These cases are different from most personal injury claims in Pennsylvania, as there are special rules about deadlines and what compensation is available. For legal help, get in contact with a King of Prussia SEPTA accident attorney who can help you take legal action.

At Neuwirth Law Office, LLC, we are familiar with how government liability claims work, and we have a history of successful verdicts and settlements in different kinds of injury claims. Attorney Andrew Neuwirth can provide you with personal, approachable service to make sure that you understand your options before moving forward.

Common Types of SEPTA Accidents

SEPTA operates buses, trolleys, subways, and regional rail lines throughout the greater Philadelphia area, and accidents can happen across any part of this large transportation system. Riders, pedestrians, and other drivers can all be affected depending on how the accident occurred. Common types of SEPTA accidents include:

• Bus accidents: Collisions caused by a bus driver's negligence, sudden stops, or failure to yield to other vehicles or pedestrians near a stop
• Train and subway accidents: Injuries caused by sudden stops, doors closing on a passenger, or a fall between a platform and a train
• Slip-and-fall accidents: Wet or uneven surfaces at stations, on platforms, or inside vehicles that cause a passenger to lose their footing and fall
• Platform accidents: Overcrowded platforms or inadequate lighting that contribute to falls or collisions with other passengers
• Pedestrian accidents: Injuries to pedestrians struck by a SEPTA vehicle near a station, stop, or crosswalk

Each type of accident requires its own careful approach to gathering evidence and identifying exactly what went wrong.

Providing Notice Before Filing a Claim Against SEPTA

Claims against SEPTA come with strict notice requirements that do not apply to typical injury claims against a private party or an individual driver. In many situations, you must notify SEPTA in writing within six months of the accident, describing the basic facts of what happened, where it occurred, and the nature of your injuries. Missing this deadline can prevent you from pursuing your claim later, even if you eventually file within the standard statute of limitations for personal injury cases.

SEPTA is treated differently than a private company under Pennsylvania law, so these notice requirements should be confirmed and followed carefully. Acting quickly after a SEPTA accident gives you the best chance of preserving your right to compensation and protecting your claim from being dismissed on a technicality.

Are There Caps on Damages in SEPTA Claims?

Pennsylvania law generally limits how much money you can recover in a claim against SEPTA. Courts have treated SEPTA as a Commonwealth party for purposes of sovereign immunity, which means damages are generally capped at $250,000 per person and $1,000,000 in the aggregate for claims arising from the same accident or incident. These caps can significantly restrict compensation even when your injuries are severe and life-altering.

The types of damages available typically include medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering, though property damage may be treated differently depending on the specific circumstances of your case. An attorney familiar with SEPTA claims can help you understand these limits and how they might apply to your specific case.

Meet With a King of Prussia, Pennsylvania SEPTA Accident Attorney

Claims against SEPTA involve rules that are easy to overlook without legal guidance, from strict notice deadlines to limits on compensation. At Neuwirth Law Office, LLC, we help clients understand these requirements and pursue the compensation they deserve. Call 215-259-3687 or contact our King of Prussia, Pennsylvania SEPTA accident lawyer to set up a free consultation.