SEPTA Accident Lawyer Philadelphia Pennsylvania
Southeastern Pennsylvania Transit Authority (SEPTA) is a popular method of transportation for people located in Philadelphia. It is one of the largest transit systems in the United States and is also a popular choice for Pennsylvania residents. Every day, many people rely upon SEPTA to get them to their destinations. According the SEPTA website, in 2011, 334 million trips were taken. People place a great deal of trust in SEPTA drivers and the people who maintain the buses, trains, and subways within the SEPTA network. Unfortunately, numerous accidents happen every year, and have caused people to sustain life-threatening injuries.
In many accidents, a driver's negligence causes crashes and collisions which injure or even kill innocent passengers. In others, a passenger suffers an injury because of unsafe conditions at SEPTA stations. For example, in a particularly sad case, a 17-year-old passenger got electrocuted by a high-voltage electrical third rail of the high-speed line when he inadvertently came into contact with high-voltage electricity used to power SEPTA. The third rails were not covered except at the top and the tracks were readily accessible from pedestrian paths that crossed from one side of the tracks to the other. The parent of the deceased passenger brought a lawsuit against SEPTA to recover money damages for their losses. The case settled for $2.5 million prior to going to trial.
With gas prices remaining high, more and more people rely on public transportation for their travel needs. With the growing number of people choosing to take SEPTA, the number of accidents is also expected to grow unless measures are taken to remedy known problems which have caused injuries to passengers in the past. SEPTA owes a duty of care to its passengers and has to provide a safe traveling environment. In addition, SEPTA staff should be trained to inspect the premises to make sure they comply with safety regulations.
It is very common for people who are involved in SEPTA accidents to sustain severe spinal cord injuries, brain injuries, burn injuries, or head injuries. Injuries such as these are considered "catastrophic" because they are not easy to diagnose, can become worse over time, and demand continual medical attention and observation. Catastrophic injuries often alter the injured person's quality of life. A person who has sustained a catastrophic injury will usually have an array of physical and/or mental complications that will prevent him/her from returning to work or functioning at his/her normal capacity.
Practice Areas
SEPTA Bus Accidents
SEPTA Train Accidents
SEPTA Trolley Accidents
Personal Injury Law
Personal injury law is a legal practice area that governs monetary compensation for physical, mental, or emotional injuries that have been sustained as a result of negligence. In cases involving SEPTA accidents, the driver or his/her company is usually regarded as the negligent party, and is therefore susceptible to legal action. When a person is injured during a SEPTA accident in Philadelphia, he/she may seek monetary damages from drivers or companies within the SEPTA network.
These damages may cover the injured person's:
- medical expenses
- lost wages
- lost future wages
- emotional distress
- mental impairment
- physical impairment
- pain and suffering
If a passenger dies in an accident, his or her spouse, children, or parents may file a wrongful death action to recover medical and funeral expenses, as well as the value of financial contribution the family would have received from the decedent had he or she not died as a result of SEPTA's negligence.
In addition, the executor of the estate may bring a survival action against SEPTA to get financial compensation for pain and suffering of the decedent from the time of the injury until the death. Cases are often complicated and require the expertise and competence of a reputable law firm. The Lassen Law Firm focuses its time and recourses on helping people injured in a SEPTA accident recover money damages allowed to them under Pennsylvania law. If you have questions about an accident, the best thing you can do is to speak with an experienced, credible personal injury attorney. Call The Lassen Law Firm today for your free consultation.
The Lassen Law Firm only deducts a 29% contingency fee, not the standard 45% like other firms. We serve ALL of Pennsylvania. We can sign you up over the phone and start working on your case today.
Stop Searching. Start Calling. 215-510-6755.
Authored by: Christian Lassen