When you’re injured by another party’s carelessness, it puts a strain on you, your family, and your wallet. The situation may be even worse if you are harmed while using a service you trust, like public transportation. If you’re hurt in a motor vehicle accident involving the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA), a Philadelphia SEPTA accident lawyer can help. Baratta Law, LLC will provide you with advice and support.
Who’s Liable for SEPTA Accidents?
The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority serves five counties and thousands of people every day. Transporting so many people every day may lead to a serious accident if any drivers aren’t careful. But when someone causes an accident, how do you know who’s liable for your injuries?
You may need a lawyer to help you determine who’s liable for your injuries. When you’re in an accident involving SEPTA, there may be multiple parties involved that could be held liable for your injuries. You may be working with any or all the following:
- Another driver’s insurance
- SEPTA representatives
- Municipal insurance
Each party will want to pay out as little as possible. To get what you deserve, you need a SEPTA accident lawyer on your side.
The Sovereign Immunity Act and Your Damages
Filing a lawsuit after a SEPTA accident can be complex, even if you’re certain that the transit authority is responsible for your injuries.
Pennsylvania has the Sovereign Immunity Act, which caps the amount of compensation that SEPTA, or any other government agency, has to pay out in claims. This is the case no matter how the accident occurred or how many people were hurt in the accident.
Supporters of the legislation say the SIA benefits all riders by protecting the public transportation system from bankruptcy. Unfortunately, that can also hurt the injured passengers’ chances of getting compensated fairly for the physical, mental, and financial toll of the accident.
Because of the SIA, you need to know what your claim is worth and what you’re due, so you can get the fullest possible coverage for your damages. A good Philadelphia accident lawyer will fight for every dime you’re entitled to, including the following:
- Lost wages
- Medical expenses
- Property damage
- Emotional distress
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
If you were hurt while using SEPTA, you may be entitled to fair compensation. Your accident lawyer can help make that happen.
Contact a SEPTA Accident Lawyer in Philadelphia
Accident lawyers know how to gather evidence related to your case which enables us to clearly demonstrate who is at fault. We also know how to negotiate. If we can’t come to an agreeable settlement, your Philadelphia SEPTA accident lawyer will be prepared to take them to court so that they can’t get away with stalling or underpayment.
Without a lawyer’s help, it’s easy to settle for less than your claim is worth. Luckily, we’re here to help you get answers, starting with a free consultation. To learn more, call Baratta Law, LLC at 215-914-8132 or complete our online contact form.
