The taxicab industry in America is over a hundred years old. While there are ridesharing companies now that have increased in popularity, many people still travel by taxi throughout the United States. If you were a passenger injured in a taxi accident, it may be difficult to determine who is financially responsible for your injury. If you have suffered injuries or losses in a taxi accident in Tennessee, the experienced taxi accident attorneys at Labrum Law can help you understand your options. Call us today at 615-338-9500 or visit us online to schedule a free consultation with one of our attorneys.
Steps To Take After a Taxi Accident
Generally, the actions you should take if you are involved in any car accident will depend on whether you are a passenger injured in the taxi or the driver of another vehicle. You should do the following immediately after the accident:
- Collect the contact and insurance information of all parties involved in the accident
- Take photographs of the accident scene and document any property damage
- Identify and collect contact information from witnesses of the accident
- Seek medical attention
Specific Steps To Take if You Are a Taxi Passenger
Additionally, if you experience an accident as a taxi passenger, it is likely that the taxi driver has insurance that will usually cover taxi passengers, however it is important to be aware of your rights and protections under the law.
Make sure you obtain the following information regarding the taxi driver and taxi cab company after an accident:
- Taxi license number
- Taxi registration information
- Taxi insurance information
- Taxi driver's name
- Taxi driver's address
You will need this information to pursue compensation for your injuries and losses. It is important to understand that if you are injured during taxi travel due to the negligence of other drivers or pedestrians, you may be entitled to file a third-party claim against those parties responsible for your accident (not directly against the taxi driver or taxi cab company).
Making a Claim After Your Taxi Accident
A taxi cab incident claim is handled in the same manner as other automobile accident claims. Unless one of the drivers was clearly not at fault, you would file claims with all of the insurers involved as a passenger in the taxi cab. This could be either the taxi cab's driver or the vehicle's driver. After determining who is to blame, you will need to prove that he or she is responsible for your injuries and losses before you can seek compensation from him or her. Consider visiting with the experienced taxi cab attorneys at Labrum Law to help you understand all of your legal options and ensure you receive justice under the law.
Compensation in Taxi Accidents
Compensation for injuries after a taxi accident will depend on the kinds of injuries suffered by the passenger. Passengers injuried in taxis may be entitled to compensation for both economic and non-economic losses.
Economic losses cover tangible losses that can be quantified with evidence such as receipts and invoices. They include past and future medical bills, lost income, and property damage.
Non-economic losses cover intangible losses such as pain and suffering, mental anguish, and loss of consortium. Establishing a monetary value for non-economic losses may require the input of an economic expert.
Challenges Involved in Taxi Accident Cases
There are many challenges involved in taxi accident cases. First, it may be difficult to determine whether or not the passenger injuries in the tax should file a claim against the taxi cab driver, the taxi cab company, or another negligent driver.
Another difficulty in taxi cab accident claims settlement is when there are several victims. In that case, the total amount of all injury claims may surpass the available vehicle insurance coverage. That implies each injured person would have to settle with the negligent motorist for less than his/her damage claim is worth, or try to hold the driver personally responsible outside of the insurance system, which can be extremely difficult. When insurance coverage is exhausted, attempting to collect resembles fighting an uninsured car owner for compensation.
How Much Compensation Can Passengers Injured in Taxis Receive?
The circumstances of every case will determine how much compensation an injured taxi passenger can get. Factors such as who was at fault in the accident, the injuries sustained, and the passenger's pre-existing conditions may determine the value of the compensation they can receive. Experienced taxi accident attorneys are skilled at assessing every case and have access to expert resources to support a claim. While no attorney can guarantee the outcome of your case, they can advise you on what to expect based on similar cases.
How Long Will It Take to Receive Compensation?
Unfortunately, it is not possible to predict how long it will take to settle a claim and receive compensation for your injuries. Whether a case is settled or whether it goes to trial, the severity of the injuries sustained and the amount of money involved may determine how quickly the matter can be resolved. The number of parties involved in the accident will also be a factor in determining how quickly a claim can be settled. The more parties identified as responsible for the accident, or victims of the accident, the more complicated a final resolution will be. Each responsible party will try to minimize their fault in the accident, and every victim will want to be fairly compensated for their injury.
Contact an Experienced Taxi Accident Attorney
If you are a passenger injured in a taxi accident, you do not have to figure things out on your own. Having the expert support of a taxi accident attorney can save you the time and frustration involved in processing a claim and possibly receiving the compensation you deserve under the law. Having a taxi accident attorney working hard on your side can ensure that your legal rights are protected. If you have suffered injuries in a taxi accident in Tennessee, call us now at 615-338-9500 or visit us online to schedule a free consultation.
