Getting hit by a bus can be life-altering for victims. To protect your access to compensation, there are a few steps you should take following a bus accident.
After getting hit by a Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) bus, victims should do several things. First, call the police and document the accident. Then, go to the hospital and get medical attention for your injuries. Finally, consult our attorneys to learn about your options for recovery. Once you create the necessary evidence of your injuries and their cause, you can pursue litigation. Depending on the circumstances of an accident, you may be able to sue SEPTA, a bus driver, or a third party for compensation. In actions against SEPTA, recovery is limited as SEPTA is a government authority.
Our attorneys are here to help victims hit by SEPTA buses recover the compensation they deserve. For a free case evaluation with the Philadelphia bus accident lawyers at The Reiff Law Firm, call today at (215) 709-6940.
What Should You Do After Getting Hit by a SEPTA Bus?
The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority, more commonly known as SEPTA, operates buses and other modes of public transportation in and around Philadelphia. If you were recently struck by a SEPTA bus and sustained injuries, you may be able to file a lawsuit for compensation. However, before you can do so, there are several steps you should take.
Call the Police
Immediately after being hit by a SEPTA bus, victims should call the police. Getting struck by a bus can result in serious injuries that might require compensation. Calling the police ensures that your accident is recorded in a police report, which our bus accident lawyers can use to strengthen your compensation claim. Be sure to relay any details about an accident to law enforcement officials so that the police report for your incident is accurate and complete.
Go to the Hospital
It is rare for victims of SEPTA bus accidents to sustain minor injuries. However, even if your injuries appear insignificant initially, always seek medical attention. Creating medical documentation of your injuries and their likely cause after getting hit by a SEPTA bus is crucial. These records can be vital evidence in your future lawsuit for compensation.
Call Our Attorneys
Navigating the aftermath of a SEPTA bus accident can be challenging for victims. Immediately after getting hit, victims should call our experienced bus accident lawyers. Our attorneys can help you take the necessary steps after an incident to start on the right path to recovery.
Who Can You Sue After Getting Hit by a SEPTA Bus?
After getting hit by a SEPTA bus, victims may be unsure who exactly is to blame for their injuries. Is SEPTA itself liable, or is the individual bus driver at fault? What if another party altogether is responsible for your injuries? Our attorneys can help you properly attribute fault to negligent parties so that you can hold the right parties accountable for a SEPTA bus accident.
SEPTA
The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority is a government authority, not a private company. Because of that, it can be difficult for victims to sue SEPTA directly for damages in a bus accident lawsuit. That said, if SEPTA acted negligently, such as failing to properly train drivers or maintain vehicles, victims might be able to file a compensation claim. Our attorneys can explain the ins and outs of suing a government authority so that you can recover the damages you deserve after getting hit by a SEPTA bus.
The Bus Driver
Often, SEPTA drivers are partially at fault for bus accidents. If a driver was operating a SEPTA bus under the influence of alcohol or while tired, resulting in an accident, they might be liable for your injuries. Other ways SEPTA bus drivers might act negligently include speeding or failing to make safe turns and lane changes.
Other Parties
Bus accidents can be chaotic, and the exact cause of an incident may be initially unclear. Call our attorneys if a third party’s negligence caused you to get hit by a SEPTA bus. Our bus accident lawyers can identify a negligent passenger car driver or another person who might have caused or contributed to your recent injuries.
What Damages Can You Recover After Getting Hit by a SEPTA Bus?
After getting hit by a SEPTA bus, victims can often recover compensation via a lawsuit against a negligent party. According to the Pennsylvania Sovereign Immunity Act, damages may be limited for victims in some cases. Reach out to our attorneys after a bus accident to recover the greatest compensation possible.
Because SEPTA is a government authority, victims who sue SEPTA for damages after a bus accident may be limited regarding compensation. According to 18 Pa.C.S. § 8528(b), recovery in a case against a government authority such as SEPTA is limited to $250,000 per plaintiff and $1 million per case. Victims can recover compensation for the following losses in a lawsuit against SEPTA:
- Past and future lost wages and earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Medical expenses
- Loss of consortium
- Property damage
In order to recover the maximum compensation in a claim against SEPTA, victims must give written notification of their injuries within six months. If they don’t victims may be barred from recovery against SEPTA, specifically. Possibly compensation in a bus accident lawsuit against another party may differ, so ask our lawyers for clarification.
Call Our Lawyers After Getting Hit by a SEPTA Bus
If you were recently hit by a SEPTA bus, our attorneys can help. For a free case evaluation with the Philadelphia personal injury lawyers at The Reiff Law Firm, call today at (215) 709-6940.
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