The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) provides transportation for millions of commuters every year. Responsible for the operation of regional transit trains, busses, subway trains, trolleys, and more, SEPTA is a daily necessity for many people living in Philadelphia and surrounding areas of Pennsylvania, Delaware, and New Jersey.
By and large, traveling by mass transit is safe. There are considerably fewer accidents involving SEPTA-owned and managed vehicles than there are those between personal cars, trucks, or SUVs. However, when SEPTA accidents do occur, they can have severe consequences for a much larger number of people.
What Causes SEPTA Accidents?
Some of the leading causes of mass transit accidents include:
- Driver or operator error
- Defective or faulty equipment
- Poor vehicle or track maintenance
- Poorly maintained infrastructure
As with all types of accidents, the cause of those involving SEPTA vehicles may not always be cut and dry. To make matters more complex, different rules apply for SEPTA accidents than those involving private vehicles. For these reasons and more, it is a good idea to consult with an attorney following an injury sustained while on a bus, train, subway, or any other SEPTA-operated vehicle.
Our Experience With Mass Transit Injury
Kline & Specter, PC has significant experience with mass transit accidents and has been able to secure substantial verdicts and settlements for many victims of train and bus accidents. Founding partner Tom Kline won a $51 million verdict in the highly publicized Hall. V. SEPTA case in which a young boy’s foot was severed in a malfunctioning subway escalator. That case won Kline recognition from The National Law Journal, which named him among "Ten of America's Top Litigators." It also resulted in vast safety improvements by the mass transit agency, including the replacement of 10 escalators, repairs systemwide, and inspections conducted by a third-party, independent company.
Our firm has successfully represented individuals who have sustained injuries in crashes involving various mass transit accidents, including those involving agencies other than SEPTA. Kline headed the legal team that won a record $265 million settlement in litigation resulting from the Amtrak 188 derailment near Philadelphia that killed eight and injured hundreds of others. He recently obtained an $8.15 million settlement in the Hoboken train crash that killed one woman and injured many others.
When you are injured or a loved one is killed in a mass transit accident, it can help to have an experienced and dedicated legal team to consult. We are here to help you understand your rights and options, and to assist you in making the best decision for moving your claim forward.
Kline & Specter helps victims of serious injury living in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Delaware, and nationwide. If you need an attorney, call us at 215-772-1000 to get a free evaluation of your case.