{"id":15782,"date":"2026-05-08T19:33:13","date_gmt":"2026-05-09T00:33:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.myphillylawyer.com\/practice-areas\/bicycle-accidents\/liability-in-bicycle-accidents-involving-public-transit\/"},"modified":"2026-05-08T19:33:13","modified_gmt":"2026-05-09T00:33:13","slug":"responsabilidad-civil-en-accidentes-de-bicicleta-en-los-que-se-ve-involucrado-el-transporte-publico","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.myphillylawyer.com\/es\/practice-areas\/bicycle-accidents\/liability-in-bicycle-accidents-involving-public-transit\/","title":{"rendered":"Responsabilidad civil en accidentes de bicicleta en los que se ve involucrado el transporte p\u00fablico"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Every day, cyclists share Philadelphia streets with SEPTA buses, trolleys, and trains. From the busy corridors near 30th Street Station to the trolley routes running through West Philadelphia and the bus lines along Broad Street and Market Street, the risk of a collision between a bicycle and a public transit vehicle is real. When that collision happens, the legal path forward is more complicated than a standard car accident claim. SEPTA is a government agency, and that changes everything about how you pursue compensation. If you or someone you love was hit by a SEPTA bus, trolley, or other transit vehicle while riding a bicycle, understanding the rules that govern these claims is the first step toward protecting your rights. The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.myphillylawyer.com\/\">Philadelphia personal injury lawyer<\/a> team at MyPhillyLawyer is ready to help you through every step of this process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Table of Contents<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"#septa-is-a-government-agency-and-that-affects-your-right-to-sue\">SEPTA Is a Government Agency, and That Affects Your Right to Sue<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#the-six-month-notice-requirement-can-end-your-claim-before-it-starts\">The Six-Month Notice Requirement Can End Your Claim Before It Starts<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#damage-caps-limit-how-much-you-can-recover-from-septa\">Damage Caps Limit How Much You Can Recover from SEPTA<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#proving-septas-negligence-in-a-bicycle-accident-claim\">Proving SEPTA&#8217;s Negligence in a Bicycle Accident Claim<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#pennsylvanias-comparative-fault-rules-apply-to-bicycle-accident-claims-against-s\">Pennsylvania&#8217;s Comparative Fault Rules Apply to Bicycle Accident Claims Against SEPTA<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#faqs-about-liability-in-bicycle-accidents-involving-public-transit-in-philadelph\">FAQs About Liability in Bicycle Accidents Involving Public Transit in Philadelphia<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"septa-is-a-government-agency-and-that-affects-your-right-to-sue\">SEPTA Is a Government Agency, and That Affects Your Right to Sue<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority, known as SEPTA, is not a private company. SEPTA is a state-created public transportation authority, not a private company. That distinction matters enormously when you are injured in a bicycle accident involving one of its vehicles. As a public entity, it is protected by government immunity laws. Pennsylvania follows the legal doctrine of sovereign immunity, which protects government agencies from lawsuits unless specific exceptions apply.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Pennsylvania Sovereign Immunity Act is codified at 42 Pa. C.S. \u00a7 8522, and the Pennsylvania Political Subdivision Tort Claims Act is codified at 42 Pa. C.S. \u00a7 8541. Together, these two statutes define when a government body can be held responsible for injuries. What makes these cases challenging is that courts interpret the exceptions narrowly. Even when a dangerous condition seems obvious, the injured person must connect that condition directly to one of the statutory categories. Without that connection, the court may dismiss the claim regardless of the severity of the injury.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For cyclists injured by a SEPTA vehicle, the most relevant exception is the vehicle liability exception. The operation of any motor vehicle in the possession or control of a Commonwealth party may result in the imposition of liability on the Commonwealth. As used in this provision, &#8220;motor vehicle&#8221; means any vehicle which is self-propelled and any attachment thereto, including vehicles operated by rail, through water or in the air. In plain terms, this means a SEPTA bus that strikes a cyclist on Chestnut Street or a trolley that clips a rider near the Girard Avenue stop can give rise to a valid claim, provided the other legal requirements are met.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Think of it this way: if a private delivery truck hit you on your bike, you would file a claim against the driver and the company. With SEPTA, the process is similar in concept but very different in execution. The government has set its own rules for when and how it can be sued, and those rules are strict.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"the-six-month-notice-requirement-can-end-your-claim-before-it-starts\">The Six-Month Notice Requirement Can End Your Claim Before It Starts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One of the biggest traps cyclists face after a SEPTA accident is missing the notice deadline. Before filing a lawsuit, you must provide written notice of your claim within six months of the injury to the responsible government agency. For state claims, you must also send a copy to the Pennsylvania Attorney General. The notice must include specific information about the injured party, the circumstances of the incident, and the damages being claimed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Failure to provide proper notice within the required timeframe typically results in dismissal of your case, regardless of the strength of your underlying claim. That is not a technicality you can argue around later. Pennsylvania courts have consistently enforced this rule. A cyclist who waits too long, even by a few weeks, can lose the right to recover any compensation at all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The notice must contain specific details. The notice must include the identity of the injured party, his address, the location, date, and hour of the accident and the name and address of his treating physician. You should also document the SEPTA vehicle number, the route, and the names of any witnesses at the scene. Near busy stops like those along the Route 23 or Route 47 corridors, witnesses are often present and their accounts can be valuable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">After giving notice, you still have the two-year statute of limitations that applies to personal injury cases in Pennsylvania to file your actual lawsuit. But you cannot skip the notice step. Failure to file the notice within six months bars a suit for the plaintiff&#8217;s injuries. This is why calling a lawyer immediately after a SEPTA bicycle accident is so important. Do not wait until you feel better. Do not wait to see how the insurance process plays out. Call MyPhillyLawyer at (215) 227-2727 as soon as possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"damage-caps-limit-how-much-you-can-recover-from-septa\">Damage Caps Limit How Much You Can Recover from SEPTA<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Even when a cyclist successfully proves that a SEPTA vehicle caused the accident, Pennsylvania law limits how much money can be recovered. For claims against Pennsylvania under the Sovereign Immunity Act, damages are capped at $250,000 per person and $1,000,000 per incident. These caps apply no matter how severe your injuries are or how clear the negligence was.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Consider what that means in practice. A cyclist struck by a SEPTA bus near the 30th Street Station area who suffers a spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, or other catastrophic harm may face medical costs that far exceed $250,000. The law still limits recovery to that ceiling when SEPTA is the only defendant. This makes it critical to identify every possible source of liability, not just SEPTA itself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For example, if a third-party driver contributed to the crash by cutting off the SEPTA bus, that driver may be sued separately without the same damage caps. Pennsylvania&#8217;s comparative negligence rules under 42 Pa. C.S. \u00a7 7102 allow a jury to apportion fault among multiple defendants. Under that statute, each defendant is liable for their proportionate share of damages, and a defendant who is found to bear 60% or more of the total fault can be held jointly and severally liable for the full judgment. This means pursuing all responsible parties, not just SEPTA, can significantly increase the total compensation available to an injured cyclist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Cyclists who ride on some of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.myphillylawyer.com\/practice-areas\/vehicle-accidents\/the-most-dangerous-intersections-and-roads-in-philadelphia\/\">most dangerous roads in Philadelphia<\/a>, including Roosevelt Boulevard and Broad Street, share space with SEPTA buses constantly. When an accident happens on those corridors, multiple parties may share fault, and your attorney needs to investigate all of them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"proving-septas-negligence-in-a-bicycle-accident-claim\">Proving SEPTA&#8217;s Negligence in a Bicycle Accident Claim<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Winning a claim against SEPTA requires more than showing you were hurt. You must prove that a SEPTA employee&#8217;s negligence directly caused the accident. Errors made by SEPTA operators, such as distracted driving or failure to adhere to safety protocols, can result in accidents. Common examples include a bus driver who fails to check mirrors before pulling away from a stop, a trolley operator who runs a red light, or a driver who makes a wide turn across a bike lane without yielding to a cyclist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Evidence is the backbone of any SEPTA bicycle accident claim. In transit accident cases, evidence may include surveillance footage from SEPTA vehicles, bus stops, train stations, or traffic cameras; SEPTA operator logs; maintenance and inspection records; police accident reports; and witness statements. SEPTA vehicles are equipped with multiple cameras, and that footage can be requested and preserved as part of your claim. However, this evidence must be secured quickly before it is recorded over or deleted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You also need to show that the SEPTA operator was acting within the scope of their employment at the time of the crash. Claims may arise when a government employee, such as a public transit driver or maintenance worker, causes a crash while performing job duties. In these cases, liability depends on whether the employee was acting within the scope of employment at the time of the incident. For SEPTA drivers operating on an assigned route, this element is usually straightforward to establish.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Medical records, photographs of the crash scene, bike damage documentation, and expert testimony may all play a role in building your case. A <a href=\"https:\/\/www.myphillylawyer.com\/practice-areas\/vehicle-accidents\/\">car accident lawyer<\/a> with experience handling public transit claims understands how to gather and present this evidence effectively. MyPhillyLawyer knows what it takes to hold SEPTA accountable when its operators fail to protect cyclists on Philadelphia&#8217;s streets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"pennsylvanias-comparative-fault-rules-apply-to-bicycle-accident-claims-against-s\">Pennsylvania&#8217;s Comparative Fault Rules Apply to Bicycle Accident Claims Against SEPTA<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">SEPTA and its legal team will look for any reason to reduce or deny your claim. One common tactic is arguing that the cyclist was partially at fault for the accident. Pennsylvania&#8217;s comparative negligence law at 42 Pa. C.S. \u00a7 7102 governs how fault is divided in these situations. Under this statute, a plaintiff who is found to be partially at fault will have their damages reduced by their percentage of fault. However, a plaintiff who is found to be more than 50% at fault cannot recover anything at all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This means SEPTA may argue that you ran a red light, rode outside the bike lane, or failed to signal before a turn. Even if there is some truth to those claims, you may still recover compensation if your fault does not exceed 50%. For example, if a jury finds that a SEPTA bus driver was 80% at fault and you were 20% at fault, your total compensation is reduced by 20%, but you still recover the remaining 80%.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">SEPTA&#8217;s defense attorneys are experienced and aggressive. They will review every detail of the accident, including your speed, your lighting equipment, your helmet use, and whether you were following Philadelphia&#8217;s bicycle traffic rules. Having a skilled attorney on your side levels the playing field. MyPhillyLawyer reviews the full picture of what happened, identifies the strongest arguments in your favor, and fights back against any attempt to unfairly shift blame onto you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you were injured in a SEPTA bicycle accident anywhere in Philadelphia, whether near City Hall, the Penn campus in University City, or along the Market-Frankford Line corridor, do not face this process alone. Call MyPhillyLawyer at (215) 227-2727 or Toll Free: 866-352-4572 to discuss your case with our team. There is no fee unless we recover compensation for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"faqs-about-liability-in-bicycle-accidents-involving-public-transit-in-philadelph\">FAQs About Liability in Bicycle Accidents Involving Public Transit in Philadelphia<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Can I sue SEPTA if a bus or trolley hit me while I was riding my bicycle?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Yes, you can file a claim against SEPTA, but the process is different from suing a private driver or company. SEPTA is a government agency protected by Pennsylvania&#8217;s Sovereign Immunity Act. Your claim must fall within the vehicle liability exception under 42 Pa. C.S. \u00a7 8522, which applies when injuries result from the operation of a SEPTA vehicle. You must also file a formal written notice of your claim within six months of the accident. Missing that deadline can permanently bar your right to sue, regardless of how clear SEPTA&#8217;s fault is.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How much money can I recover if a SEPTA vehicle caused my bicycle accident?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pennsylvania law caps damages in claims against state agencies like SEPTA at $250,000 per person and $1,000,000 per incident. These limits apply even if your injuries are severe and your actual losses are far higher. However, if other parties, such as a private driver who contributed to the crash, are also liable, those claims are not subject to the same caps. This is why identifying all responsible parties is so important in SEPTA bicycle accident cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What information do I need to include in my notice of claim to SEPTA?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Your written notice must include your name and address, the date, time, and location of the accident, a description of what happened, a description of your injuries, and the name and address of your treating physician. You must also send a copy of the notice to the Pennsylvania Attorney General. Leaving out required details can jeopardize your claim, so it is strongly advisable to have an attorney prepare and submit this notice on your behalf as soon as possible after the accident.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What if I was partly at fault for the bicycle accident involving a SEPTA vehicle?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pennsylvania follows a modified comparative negligence rule under 42 Pa. C.S. \u00a7 7102. If you share some fault for the accident, your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault. You can still recover damages as long as your fault does not exceed 50%. For example, if you were found 25% at fault and SEPTA was found 75% at fault, your total compensation is reduced by 25%. SEPTA&#8217;s legal team will often try to argue that the cyclist contributed to the crash, so having an attorney who can counter those arguments is essential.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What evidence should I gather after a bicycle accident involving a SEPTA bus or trolley?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Gather as much information as possible at the scene. Write down or photograph the SEPTA vehicle number, the route number, and the operator&#8217;s name if you can get it. Take photos of the crash scene, your bicycle, your injuries, and any road conditions that may have played a role. Get the names and contact information of any witnesses. Seek medical treatment immediately, and keep all records of your care. Report the accident to police and obtain a copy of the report. Contact an attorney right away so that SEPTA&#8217;s onboard camera footage and operator logs can be requested before they are lost.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@type\":\"FAQPage\",\"mainEntity\":[{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Can I sue SEPTA if a bus or trolley hit me while I was riding my bicycle?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Yes, you can file a claim against SEPTA, but the process is different from suing a private driver or company. SEPTA is a government agency protected by Pennsylvania's Sovereign Immunity Act. Your claim must fall within the vehicle liability exception under 42 Pa. C.S. \u00a7 8522, which applies when injuries result from the operation of a SEPTA vehicle. 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When that&hellip;<\/p>","protected":false},"author":18,"featured_media":0,"parent":257,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-15782","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.myphillylawyer.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/15782","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.myphillylawyer.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.myphillylawyer.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.myphillylawyer.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/18"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.myphillylawyer.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=15782"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.myphillylawyer.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/15782\/revisions"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.myphillylawyer.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/257"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.myphillylawyer.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=15782"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}