Slip and fall accidents are often brushed off as non-serious, but many injured victims are surprised to find themselves badly hurt. If you fall in a SEPTA station in or around Philadelphia, you may have a strong legal claim for damages and fair compensation.
After a slip and fall accident in a SEPTA station, you should call for medical assistance and contact the authorities. SEPTA stations fall under the jurisdiction of the SEPTA Transit Police, and they can help investigate the accident to determine what went wrong. You may be able to sue SEPTA if poor maintenance of its facilities directly caused you to fall and become injured while at a station.
Get a free, private legal review from our Philadelphia personal injury attorneys by calling The Reiff Law Firm at (215) 709-6940.
What to Do After a Slip and Fall Accident in a SEPTA Station
After a slip and fall accident at a SEPTA station, you should call for help and be sure to get the authorities involved so they can investigate.
Get Emergency Medical Attention
Your first step is to get emergency help. SEPAT stations can be dangerous, especially if you fall off a train platform onto the train tracks. You might be very seriously hurt, and you need to call 911 immediately.
Contact the Authorities
Call the police so they can investigate the accident scene. SEPTA stations typically fall under the jurisdiction of the SEPTA Transit Police. They can render emergency aid, close off the accident scene, and investigate the station. Their investigation may turn up valuable evidence we can use to support your lawsuit.
Document the Area
There is a strong chance that SEPTA will rush to repair the station where you fell to prevent anyone else from being injured. Unfortunately, this might mean that evidence will be cleared away and lost forever. If you can, take photos of the accident scene with your phone while you wait for help to arrive. Your photos may reveal crucial details that demonstrate how SEPTA was negligent.
Who Should Pay for My Injuries from a Slip and Fall in a SEPTA Station?
While SEPTA is often at the center of accidents at SEPTA stations, other people or entities may also be involved. As such, it may be difficult to determine who should pay for your damages unless you review your case with an attorney.
SEPTA
Our personal injury attorneys can help you sue SEPTA for your injuries, but we must jump through a few extra legal hoops. Suing a governmental entity like SEPTA comes with additional requirements, such as filing a formal notice of your claims. We must submit a notice of your claim within 6 months of the accident to SEPTA. If we do not, you might be barred from suing SEPTA.
Private Maintenance Contractors
SEPTA may use private contractors to maintain stations and facilities. These contractors may include professional cleaners, electricians, plumbers, and other professionals necessary to keep stations operating safely. If a contractor was hired to repair or maintain some aspect of the SEPTA station, but they were negligent in doing their job and left the station unsafe, the private contractor might be legally responsible for the accident and pay you compensation.
Other People at the Station
While SEPTA may be responsible for negligently maintaining the station, others at the scene might have somehow contributed to your slip and fall accident, and may be included in your lawsuit. We can review security camera footage and interview witnesses regarding the accident to determine whether others at the station may be legally responsible for your injuries and liable for compensation.
FAQs About What Happens After Being Hurt in a Slip and Fall Accident in a SEPTA Station
What Should I Do if I Slip and Fall in a SEPTA Station?
If you slip and fall at a SEPTA station in Philadelphia, call for medical help and the authorities as soon as possible. Law enforcement may investigate the accident scene to determine what caused you to fall and whether the station was in disrepair or otherwise unsafe.
Who is Responsible for Slip and Fall Injuries in SEPTA Stations?
SEPTA may be held liable for your injuries if the station was negligently maintained and unsafe for transit passengers. However, others might also be implicated, depending on the circumstances. Other people at the station or private contractors hired who performed shoddy maintenance might be held liable if they played a role in your accident.
Can I Sue SEPTA After Being Injured at a Station?
Yes. If negligent upkeep, general disrepair, or lack of safety measures in the SEPTA station directly caused you to fall and become injured, you may file a personal injury lawsuit against SEPTA. Since SEPTA is a governmental entity, we must serve SEPTA with a formal notice of your claim within 6 months of the accident.
How Do Slip and Fall Accidents Happen in SEPTA Stations?
Slip and fall accidents in SEPTA stations often occur because the station is poorly maintained. Deep cracks in station platforms that remain unrepaired, puddles from leaking pipes, and tripping hazards such as trash or debris are common. In other cases, a person might fall because the station lacked certain safety measures, such as broken stairwell railings.
How Do I Prove Fault After a Slip and Fall Accident in a SEPTA Station?
To establish that SEPTA was negligent in its maintenance of the station, we need as much evidence as possible. Take photos and record videos of the station before you leave. SEPTA will very likely repair whatever caused you to fall, thereby eliminating evidence. Witnesses who saw you fall and security camera videos will also be important to your case.
What Damages Can I Claim After a Slip and Fall Accident in a SEPTA Station?
You may claim damages for the medical costs associated with your injuries, lost income if you cannot return to work for a while, and other monetary costs you incur as a direct result of the accident. You can also claim non-economic damages for pain, distress, humiliation, and other painful experiences.
Get Legal Help Today by Calling Our Personal Injury Attorneys
Get a free, private legal review from our Delaware County, PA personal injury attorneys by calling The Reiff Law Firm at (215) 709-6940.
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