Early Tuesday morning around 12:15am, a SEPTA Norristown High Speed Line train ran into a parked train inside the 69th Street Transportation Center in Upper Darby. The parked train did not have passengers; however, 42 people on the train, including the conductor, were injured. SEPTA has reported that none of the injuries appear to be life threatening. The National Transportation Safety Board is now investigating the accident.
According to reports, a passenger said that the train overshot two train stations, Gulph Mills and Bryn Mawr, by several train carts. The train then had to back up into the station. The passenger believed that it was due to the brakes and not the train operator.
SEPTA officials looked over damaged train cars at 69th Street Transportation Center in Upper Darby, Pa early Tuesday morning August 22, 2017.
Possible Causes of the SEPTA Accident in Philadelphia
Though the accident is under investigation, there are several possible causes of the accident.
Operator was at Fault
One of the common causes of SEPTA accidents, whether it is a bus accident or a trolley accident, is the driver or operator. If the operator is not alert and focused while driving the bus or operating the train/trolley, the operator can lose control of the vehicle and cause an accident. If the operator in this case was not paying attention, he may have not realized there was a parked trolley ahead and could not stop in time.
Faulty Equipment
Another common cause of a SEPTA accident is faulty equipment or defective equipment. In this instance, if the brakes malfunctioned or were not working properly, then the train would not have been able to stop in time to avoid the parked train. Because the train overshot 2 train station platforms prior to the accident, faulty brakes may have been the cause.
What Happens If a SEPTA Accident Causes Injuries
If individuals are injured as a result of a SEPTA accident, they may have legal rights to be financially compensated for their injuries and damages. It is best to contact a Philadelphia personal injury accident lawyer. Call 215.985.0777 to schedule a FREE consultation with firm partner, Jordan Namerow, a top rated personal injury lawyer in Philadelphia.
*Source: www.philly.com (42 hurt in SEPTA train crash outside Philadelphia)