Philadelphia SEPTA Accidents & Claims Lawyers

Advocating for Victims of Public Transit Injuries | PA & NJ

Protecting Your Rights After a SEPTA Accident in Pennsylvania & New Jersey:

Injured on a SEPTA bus, trolley, or train? Edelstein Law’s dedicated personal injury team serves all Pennsylvania and New Jersey Counties. It will help you secure the compensation you deserve. With decades of experience handling public transportation claims, we understand the complexities of SEPTA liability and are committed to guiding you every step of the way.
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Understanding Your Rights After a SEPTA Accident

When a negligent operator, defective equipment, or hazardous condition causes injury on SEPTA property, you have rights under both state and federal law:

Right to Compensation: You may recover for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, property damage, and more.

Right to File a Claim: In Pennsylvania, you must provide written notice to SEPTA within 6 months of the accident and file suit within 2 years. In New Jersey (for comparable transit authorities), notice is required within 90 days, with a 2-year statute of limitations.

Right to Fair Treatment: SEPTA and its insurers cannot pressure you to sign away from your rights before you consult an attorney.

Right to Legal Representation: You can hire an experienced SEPTA accident lawyer to fight on your behalf.

Edelstein Law will ensure that your claim is timely, adequately documented, and aggressively pursued.

SEPTA Accidents & Claims: The Overview

Our practice spans every form of public transit incident, including:

  1. Bus Collisions & Pedestrian Strikes: Injuries when a SEPTA bus hits another vehicle or a pedestrian.

  2. Trolley & Streetcar Accidents: Derailments, collisions, and boarding/alighting mishaps.

  3. Regional Rail & Train Crashes: Major-impact collisions, brake failures, and negligent operation.

  4. Slip & Falls on Platforms or Inside Vehicles: Due to poor maintenance, wet surfaces, or inadequate lighting.

  5. Escalator/Elevator Malfunctions: Injuries from sudden stops, defective parts, or mechanical failures.

  6. Defective Equipment Claims: Faulty doors, handrails, warning signals, or track defects.

  7. On-Board Assaults or Negligent Security: Cases where inadequate security led to harm.

Key Differences: Pennsylvania vs. New Jersey Transit Laws

While both Pennsylvania and New Jersey provide robust legal protections for accident victims, there are notable differences that can affect your case:

  1. Torts Claims Act Notice of Intent to Pursue Damages:

  2. Pennsylvania: Written notice to SEPTA within a six-month time frame

  3. New Jersey: Notice to Government Entity within 90 days (Tort Claims Act)

Statute of Limitations: A two-year statute of limitations applies in New Jersey and Pennsylvania from the date of the accident. Both states generally enforce a two-year statute of limitations from the date of the accident. However, the starting point for the limitations period and specific exceptions (such as in cases involving minors) can differ.

Government Sovereign Immunity:

  1. New Jersey: Similar immunities under state law; stringent notice and filing requirements.

  2. Pennsylvania: SEPTA has limited immunity; strict notice and procedural rules apply.

Understanding these legal nuances is critical for building a strong case, and our dual-state expertise means we can design a personalized legal strategy that meets your situation's unique demands.

Educational and Assistance for PA & NJ SEPTA Accident Claims

To help you further understand your rights and the legal processes in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, we’ve compiled links to reputable resources:

New Jersey Resources

  1. New Jersey Tort Notice of Claim (Title 59) – State Treasury’s Risk Management division portal for electronically filing (and tracking) a Notice of Claim against public entities, including NJ Transit. 

  2. Title 59 – New Jersey Tort Claims Act Text – Complete statutory provisions, definitions, and procedural requirements for notices and claims against government agencies in New Jersey. 

  3. Notice of Tort Claim Form – City of Orange Township – A model municipal Notice of Claim form illustrating the information every claimant must provide under NJ’s Tort Claims Act. 

  4. NJ Transit Accident/Incident Procedure – Official procedure for reporting and documenting transit accidents or safety incidents to NJ Transit. 

Pennsylvania Resources

  1. SEPTA Claims & Reporting – Official SEPTA page for reporting accidents, obtaining claim forms, and instructions on filing a notice of claim with SEPTA’s Risk Management department. 

  2. Political Subdivision Tort Claims Act (42 Pa.C.S. §§ 8541–8564) – Full statutory text governing how and when to file claims against SEPTA and other local agencies in Pennsylvania. 

  3. Penn-DOT Crash Information Tool – Interactive dashboards and raw data on all reportable crashes in Pennsylvania, useful for researching the frequency and circumstances of transit-related incidents. 

  4. Penn-DOT Crash Facts & Statistics – Annual summaries and analyses of crash trends across the Commonwealth, including public transit safety initiatives. 

New Jersey & Pennsylvania SEPTA Accident & Claim—FAQs

  • Answer: Seek medical attention, document injuries and conditions, report to SEPTA staff, preserve evidence (photos, witness contacts), and call our office as soon as possible.

  • Answer: In PA, you must notify SEPTA within 6 months and file suit within 2 years; New Jersey claims generally require a 90-day notice and a 2-year filing window.

  • Answer: Yes, Pennsylvania allows pure comparative fault, New Jersey uses modified comparative fault (you can recover as long as you’re under 51% at fault).

  • Answer: Every claim is unique; our attorneys evaluate medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and future needs to estimate potential compensation.

  • Answer: No. We work on a contingency fee basis—no fees unless we win your case.

  • Answer: Our dual license in PA and NJ, proven track record, and commitment to protecting your rights set us apart. We offer personalized legal strategies, aggressive representation, and compassionate support to help you navigate this challenging process. In other words…we will fight on your behalf until you’ve exhausted all legal options and are made whole again. You don’t pay the US; we pay YOU!

SEPTA Accidents & Claims: Ready to Take the Next Step

If you or a loved one has been affected by personal injury, abuse, or systemic injustice, we invite you to contact us to learn more about how we can help. Our team of experienced attorneys and support staff are committed to providing exceptional legal representation and support and to achieving the best possible outcome on your behalf. Don't hesitate to reach out to us today to schedule a free consultation and take the first step towards justice and healing.

We are here to assess your case and guide you through the legal process. You can call us now to get started on your path to recovery and make sure your rights are protected. Set up a Zoom session or schedule time to come in to speak with our first class team of litigators and support staff. Your fight is our fight.