With over $1.5 billion invested annually, Pennsylvania ranks fourth in the country in direct support for public transportation. All 67 counties have access to public transit. Two of the major players in this area are SEPTA and PATCO. Billed as convenient and affordable, these transit options also present safety issues and are often in the news for yet another accident. Injuries and fatalities have occurred involving a wide variety of people who subsequently sought the services of an experienced Philadelphia train accident lawyer to fight for them.

If you have been injured in a train accident, call Wapner Newman at (215) 569-0900 to get a review of your case and advice on whether you have grounds to seek financial compensation. You may be able to file a claim to recover your losses, including medical expenses, property damage, loss of current and future earnings, loss of future enjoyment, and pain and suffering.

Why Choose Us?

Effective Advocacy

Wapner Newman provides each client with the level of advocacy that gets results. Each Philadelphia train accident lawyer at our firm has the experience and skill needed to recover the funds to help our clients recover. If you have been involved in a train accident, let our team help.

  • We offer free initial consultations.
  • We have collected millions of dollars for our injury clients.
  • We tailor our services directly to your needs.
  • You can always reach us for any concerns or questions you have.

The compensation process is not as friendly to train-accident victims as it should be. Wapner Newman can fight to compel insurance companies to pay what they owe or face juries, which are typically sympathetic to train accident victims.

If you or someone you care about has been hurt in a train accident, Wapner Newman is here to help you recover a proper compensation payment instead of a lowball insurance company offer. Call (215) 569-0900 for a complimentary consultation and case review today.

Safety Responsibility of Train Companies

Train companies have a great responsibility when transporting passengers and their property. Passengers put their lives in the hands of these operations every day and expect and deserve the highest safety measures. According to Pennsylvania law, train companies owe a legal duty to use the utmost care when transporting people. If they do not and an accident occurs, they can face liability for personal injury damages.

In Pennsylvania, various train transport companies collectively provide service throughout the state. All of them owe their passengers a duty to use the utmost care.

Amtrak

Amtrak derailments and injuries continue to occur. The transportation giant has numerous service lines that run through Philadelphia, carrying millions of riders each year into and out of the area.  One of the deadliest incidents in the company’s history involved a derailment on the Northeastern Regional Line right here in Philadelphia. Eight people were killed and nearly 200 injured.

SEPTA

Serving Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia Counties, the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) has the country’s sixth-largest rapid transit system by ridership and fifth-largest overall transit system.

Headquartered in Center City, it is one of only two transit authorities in the United States that operates all of the five major types of ground transit: commuter rail trains, subway/elevated trains, light rail vehicles (trolleys), trolley buses (trackless trolleys), and motorbuses.

PATCO

Running 24 hours a day, the PATCO high-speed line is a rapid transit system connecting Philly and Camden County, New Jersey. It is managed by a subset of the Delaware River Port Authority. Significantly smaller than SEPTA’s sprawling services, its operation hasn’t been without incident.

Compensation Claims Against Train Transit Providers

Justice for Your Injuries and Losses

If you were injured on a train belonging to any of these companies, you may have a claim for compensation. Since PATCO and SEPTA are government agencies, the rules are different and more strict when it comes to compensation claims.

Amtrak, on the other hand, is a private company that, under normal circumstances, could be sued directly. However, the company requires all disputes against it to be handled through arbitration instead of by judge and jury. This clause complicates matters but does not mean that Amtrak is off the hook. It simply means that arbitration must be used to settle disputes.

Holding a Government Transportation Agency Accountable

Lawsuits against SEPTA and PATCO are permissible. However, there are important differences between suing a private company and suing a government agency, such as a notice requirement. Injury victims must provide the agency with a notice of their intent to file a lawsuit within six months of the crash. Additionally, there is a cap on damages for lawsuits against government agencies of $250,000 for a single victim and $1,000,000 for each incident.

What Are Some Causes of Train Accidents?

Why do these accidents happen? There are many reasons, such as:

  • Defective equipment
  • Operator mistake
  • Improper maintenance
  • Mechanical failure
  • Inspection violations.

Additionally, the lack of safety restraints means that passengers are more likely to be injured when transit vehicles abruptly stop, suddenly start, or move in unexpected ways. Also, transit vehicles are typically found in areas with a lot of pedestrians, increasing the risk that someone might be hit.

With many transit drivers working 12-hour swing shifts but living too far away from home to nap during their breaks, driver fatigue and its effect on traffic safety is an obvious concern. Also, it is not uncommon for drivers to violate hours-of-service rules and to purposefully work when they should be on a mandatory break or out of service completely.

Negligence and resulting safety violations underlie many of the causes of train accidents. This failure on the part of train operators and their employees leads to much suffering and loss. Helping victims get the money they need to recover is the primary purpose of Wapner Newman.

Frequently Asked Questions

The following are common questions and answers about train accidents. Please contact us for more information and a free consultation.

Do I need a train accident lawyer to file a claim for compensation?

To get maximum compensation, you should hire an attorney to represent you.

How much does a train accident lawyer in Philadelphia charge?

A train accident lawyer charges between 30% and 40% of the damages award.

What is the statute of limitations for train accident cases in Pennsylvania?

There is a two-year window for train accident cases once an accident occurs.

How much is my train accident case worth?

The severity of your injuries, the extent of your losses, and the skill of your attorney determine how much your compensation will be.

How long will my train accident case take?

Wapner Newman will work diligently to resolve your case in a timely fashion. Once we review your case, we will be better able to give you more information regarding the duration of your case.

Contact us anytime for more information and answers.

Our Train Accident Attorneys Can Help

While the hundreds of local transit vehicles operate daily without incident, when they are involved in accidents with other vehicles or with pedestrians they can cause significant damage. If you were injured or a loved one was killed in a transit accident, trust your case to an experienced train accident lawyer. We have the resources and experience to fight for you.

For almost four decades, we have been the trusted advocates for countless personal injury victims and their families throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey. We offer risk-free consultations and work on a contingency basis, which means that we do not require you to pay any fees until we have secured a recovery on your behalf.

We encourage you to contact us today by calling (215) 569-0900 or filling out a free case evaluation form. Let us help you.