Car Accident Lawyer

Accidents involving taxis are not uncommon, particularly in urban areas where taxi service is more prevalent. If you are a passenger or pedestrian injured in an accident with a taxi, you still have the right to seek damages for your injuries. However, because the operator of a taxi is a driver for hire, the claims process can be more complicated.

Why Do Taxi Accidents Occur?

According to the law, taxi drivers owe their passengers the highest degree of safety and care as a “common carrier.” The driver’s responsibility to passengers begins when a taxi stops for a passenger’s signal and ends when the passenger reaches a place of safety at his or her destination.

Despite the high degree of care that a taxi driver owes his or her passengers, the reality is that taxi drivers are sometimes negligent in their duties in the interest of taking on more fares and maximizing profits. To that end, the driver may drive carelessly, make unsafe lane changes, or exceed the posted speed limit. Reckless driving of this nature can put others, such as passengers, pedestrians, and other drivers, at risk.

Who Is Liable for a Taxi Accident?

Usually, the taxi driver can be held liable, unless there is clear evidence that he or she did not behave negligently. Additionally, the taxi company may also be held responsible under the law. If you were the passenger when the taxi collided with another vehicle, it may be that the other driver also bears some responsibility, in which case you can also make a claim with the other driver’s insurance company.

What Should You Do After a Taxi Accident?

One of the most important things to do is to summon police to the scene. You will probably need the accident report to support your claim(s) for damages. If the driver(s) involved have not taken this step, you can call them yourself.

You should acquire insurance information from all drivers involved in the crash. If possible, you should also take photographs of the scene. You should make an effort to acquire contact information from any witnesses and obtain their accounts of the accident as well. If you were a passenger in the cab, our attention may have been directed elsewhere in the lead-up to the crash, and it can only help you to obtain reports from witnesses who saw what happened.

One of the most important steps to take following a taxi accident is to receive proper medical treatment. This is especially important if you were a pedestrian as your injuries may be even more severe. If you are too severely injured, you can delegate information-gathering tasks to others willing to help.

Once you’re ready to begin the claims process or file a lawsuit, a personal injury lawyer in Charlottesville, VA may be able to help. Contact a law office for more information.

 

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Thanks to MartinWren, P.C. for their insight into personal injury claims and taxi accidents.