Any Philadelphia commuter is familiar with the red, white, and blue frame of a speeding SETPA bus. A SEPTA Accident Lawyer Philadelphia PA trusts to litigate these claims is acutely aware of the many serious injuries that occur on SEPTA buses, trains, and trolleys each year. In fact, in a recent report, SEPTA’s safety record fared far worse than similar public transportation in both the Chicago and Houston mass transit systems. For the people injured on SEPTA transportation each year, it’s critical to understand the factors that can lead to a successful personal injury claim. In this article, Brent Wieand, a SEPTA Accident Lawyer Philadelphia PA turns to for these cases expounds what it takes to mount a winning personal injury lawsuit against SEPTA.
What is Common Carrier Law?
A common carrier is a carrier that is engaged in the business of transporting people or property for compensation and offering services to the general public. The court’s opinion in Green v. SEPTA, 2015 Phila. Ct. Com. Pl. LEXIS 129 states that “SEPTA clearly fits within the definition of a common carrier by providing public transportation by bus of compensation and has long been recognized as such for purposes of determining its duty with respect to its passengers and the standard of care that must use in its operations.”
Common carriers law holds providers of public transit, such as SEPTA, to a higher standard of care than the average private citizen. This law can make it somewhat easier for plaintiffs to prefer in injury lawsuits.
Winning Your Case – What It Takes to Win a SEPTA Lawsuit
According to a SEPTA Accident Lawyer Philadelphia PA engages for these lawsuits, a successful claim against SEPTA requires that plaintiff to prove that the defendant was reckless or negligent, and this negligence caused the plaintiff’s injury. Proving negligence requires that the plaintiff demonstrate four basic points:
- The defendant owed the plaintiff a duty of care
- The defendant breached the duty of care
- The plaintiff sustained injuries caused by the breach of duty of care
- Damages resulted from the injuries sustained
Robust evidence demonstrating SEPTA’s liability for contributing to the plaintiff’s injuries is needed to successfully litigate these claims. Philadelphia PA SEPTA Accident lawyers at the Wieand Law Firm have vast experience in proving the four components of negligence and mounting winning arguments in these cases.
Types of SEPTA Personal Injury Claims
SEPTA may be held liable for injuries such as the following:
- “Jerk and jolt” claims, in which an unexpected bus slams to a unreasonably quick stop
- Injuries sustained due to bus accidents
- Physical or sexual assaults that occur on SEPTA transit property
In order to determine if you have a viable claim against SEPTA, it’s recommended to speak with a SEPTA accident lawyer Philadelphia PA goes to for high value personal injury cases. A qualified attorney can advise you of your legal options if you have been injured in a SEPTA accident.
Shortened Statute of Limitations – Contact the Wieand Law Firm Today!
Because SEPTA is operated by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, a public entity, the statute of limitations for filing a claim is shorter than other types of Pennsylvania personal injury claims. The statute of limitations is just six months to file a claim against SEPTA. Because you have a brief time period of file a claim, it’s important to reach out to a personal injury lawyer at the Wieand Law Firm for a free, private legal consultation. Call 215-666-7777 or send a message via the online form to speak directly with an attorney.
