In Pennsylvania, the most common accidents associated with public transport involve the buses that are run by the local towns or counties. Accidents involving the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) could involve buses, trolleys, small commuter buses, elevated rail lines or subway lines. In some of the larger metropolitan areas, accidents could involve what are called the regional rail lines, which are more like trains than trolleys.
How Common Are Accidents Related To Public Transportation?
They are certainly more common in areas that have more mass transportation, and we certainly see a lot of them.
What Are The Common Causes Of Accidents Involving Public Transport?
The common causes of accidents involving public transportation are not very different from those of typical motor vehicle accidents. There may be buses running into other vehicles, running into fixed objects, or running red lights and causing accidents. When it comes to the regional rails, there could be issues involving the safety of the platform before you get on the train, or issues with the safety or accessibility of the platforms and tracks.
What Is The Standard Of Care Applicable To Public Transport Operators In Pennsylvania?
Under Pennsylvania law, buses, trolleys, and trains are called common carriers. The operators of these carriers have the highest duty of care to their passengers. Although the law doesn’t really provide a definition for what that means, we know that it’s a level of care certainly higher than you would expect from an everyday driver in their personal car. This is basically a reflection of the fact that when you pay to get on a trolley, bus, or train, you are entrusting your safety to the operator of that vehicle.
Is There A Statute Of Limitations On Public Transport Accident Claims?
In Pennsylvania, the statute of limitations for public transport accident claims is two years. However, when you’re dealing with a government entity (which all of these municipal transportation agencies are), there is what’s called the notice requirement. The notice requirement states that you must give notice to the particular municipal department within six months of an accident. There are specific requirements for what the notice has to include. So, you don’t have to file suit within six months, but you must provide notice within six months.
Is The Statute Of Limitations The Same For Children And Minors As Well?
The statute of limitations for minors does not begin to run until they reach the age of majority, which is 18 in Pennsylvania. However, because of the way the statute is written, it appears that minors do not get any sort of extra time to provide the actual statutory notice to the agency. This means that depending on how young the minor is, they may not have to file suit for many years after an accident. However, they still have to provide notice to the municipal agency within six months.
What Types Of Injuries Are Generally Sustained In These Types Of Accidents?
The types of injuries that are sustained in these types of accidents are very similar to the injuries you would see in most motor vehicle accidents. These include injuries to the back, legs, or head. If there is someone who is standing on a bus or trolley and is thrown, they could sustain more severe injuries that you might not necessarily see from someone who is seat-belted into a car. But overall, the injuries are not very different from typical motor vehicle accidents.
For more information on Public Transportation Accidents, a free initial consultation is your next best step. Get the information and legal answers you are seeking by calling (215) 569-1212 today.
