The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) is partially protected from civil lawsuits under Pennsylvania’s Sovereign Immunity Act (42 Pa. C.S. § 8521). However, exceptions under 42 Pa. C.S. § 8522 allow individuals to file a claim against SEPTA in certain situations—most notably in cases involving SEPTA bus accidents.
Whether you were a passenger on a SEPTA bus or struck by one while in your own vehicle, you may be eligible for compensation if the accident caused you injuries.
Who Can Be Liable in a SEPTA Bus Crash?
If you were a passenger on a SEPTA bus during an accident, there may be multiple at-fault parties:
- The SEPTA bus driver
- The driver of another vehicle involved in the collision
In some cases, both may share liability. Most SEPTA buses are equipped with multi-angle cameras, which can provide key video evidence. Additionally, police and SEPTA officials will usually prepare an incident or accident report. Be sure to record the bus number at the scene and share it with your attorney.
Important Deadlines: You Must Notify SEPTA Within 6 Months
If you intend to file a claim against SEPTA, you must provide notice within 6 months of the accident. This is a strict requirement under Pennsylvania law. While your attorney will usually send a formal notification form to SEPTA, it’s important that you inform the driver or a responding SEPTA officer at the scene that you were injured, if you’re able.
How Will Medical Bills Be Covered?
Depending on your situation, there are multiple options for covering medical treatment after a SEPTA accident:
- If you have auto insurance (or live with someone who does), no-fault benefits (PIP) under that policy will initially cover your treatment.
- Once your PIP benefits are exhausted, your health insurance will begin covering additional expenses.
- If you don’t have auto insurance, you may be eligible for up to $5,000 in medical benefits from SEPTA for treatment. After those funds are used, your personal health insurance will apply.
How Much Can You Recover From SEPTA?
If the SEPTA bus driver was responsible for the crash, your recovery is limited to $250,000 by statute. If another driver caused the crash, the amount you can recover is limited by that driver’s insurance policy.
If either party does not have enough insurance to fully compensate you, you may be able to file a claim with your own underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage—which applies when another party’s coverage is inadequate.
What If the Other Driver Is Uninsured or Flees the Scene?
If the other driver in the accident was at fault and has no insurance or fled the scene (hit-and-run), you may still recover compensation through:
- Your own uninsured motorist (UM) coverage
- SEPTA’s uninsured motorist policy (if you have no applicable auto insurance), which provides up to $10,000 in compensation
Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverages are designed to protect you from exactly these scenarios, offering a safety net when the at-fault party lacks sufficient insurance.
Injured as a Driver Struck by a SEPTA Bus?
If you were driving your own car and were hit by a SEPTA bus, the claims process is similar to that of a bus passenger. The bus’s onboard video footage and police reports will be critical to proving negligence. As with passengers, you must notify SEPTA within 6 months of the crash, and your recovery will be capped at $250,000 unless your own UIM coverage applies.
Proving Damages After a SEPTA Bus Accident
Your attorney will build your case by collecting:
- Medical records documenting your injuries
- Testimony from treating doctors and medical experts
- Employment documents showing lost wages
- Reports from vocational or economic experts if you’re unable to return to work
These elements help prove not only your injuries but also the long-term economic impact of the accident on your life.
Contact an Experienced SEPTA Bus Accident Lawyer
The attorneys at Thistle Law Firm are highly experienced in handling SEPTA accident claims, including both passenger and pedestrian injury cases. If you or a loved one has been injured in a bus accident, don’t delay—call us at 215-568-6800 to discuss your legal options during a free consultation.