Septa trolleys operate where the people are often on tracks that run in through heavy pedestrian areas. This is good for people who want to use the trolleys to get to shopping and tourist zones in the Phillidelphia.
A downside is that trolleys sometimes hit those pedestrians, and typically this isn’t good for the pedestrian. SEPTA (Southeastern Pennsylvania Transit Authority) operates buses, trains and trolleys around the Philadelphia area in Pennsylvania., and they maintain over 450 miles of tracks for their trains and trolleys.
Over the past decade, there have been around 300 SEPTA train-pedestrian accidents resulting in 159 deaths. This means that 63 percent of the time, when a pedestrian tangles with a train, the pedestrian dies.
Causes of SEPTA Train Accidents
The majority of train and pedestrian accidents are caused by human error, either the trolley operator or the pedestrian. According to a SEPTA official, most of the pedestrian accidents happen away from designated crossing points.
Some of the most common reasons for a pedestrian v. trolley accident are:
- Distracted Pedestrian: Wearing earbuds, looking at phones or a map are some of the ways that pedestrians get distracted which can result in an accident.
- Impairment: An impaired pedestrian or trolley operator can greatly increase the chance of an accident. .
- Simply not Looking: Look both ways, our mothers taught us, but many pedestrians don’t do that, and the results can be deadly.
- Equipment Failure: It’s rare, but brakes can fail, warning lights don’t turn on or any other safety features can malfunction and increase the risk of an accident.
SEPT Accident Liability
When someone is injured in a SEPTA accident, they have the option under Pennsylvania law to sue SEPTA for their injuries. Generally speaking, there is a long-time law that protects the government from negligence lawsuits, however, years ago the state legislature passed a law that made certain exemptions to this rule, and SEPTA accidents are within those exceptions.
However, to do this, the victim has to prove that SEPTA was somehow negligent in the accident. Also, the law that allows the lawsuits also places certain notice requirements, statute of limitations deadlines and damage caps as well as other restrictions.
If you’ve been injured in a SEPTA accident, your best move is to speak to an experienced SEPTA personal injury attorney to find out your right under the law.
Contact a SEPTA Lawyer Today
If you’ve been injured by a SEPTA bus, trolley or train, contact a Philadelphia SEPTA Accident Lawyer such as Edith Pearce. Unlike the huge firms with dozens of attorneys and many different attorneys handling different aspects of your case, Edith Pearce is personally involved in every case that we handle. She genuinely cares about her clients and you will not be treated like just another case or file.
Contact The Pearce Law Firm, P.C. at (215) 557-8686 for a free consultation and case evaluation.