NYC Taxi Accident Attorneys
What to Do in a Car Accident with a Taxi
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Being injured in any type of auto accident can be a terrifying and life-changing experience. If you’re a passenger in a taxi cab, what are your legal rights? There are many steps to take when involved in a New York City taxi accident. The car accident attorneys at Belluck & Fox are here to help you through this legal battle and claim the compensation you deserve.
What Are My Rights as a Passenger?
People catch cabs for many reasons. Maybe it’s convenience. Perhaps they’ve been out enjoying a night on the town and wish to be responsible. Or maybe they took a cab to avoid having to navigate downtown streets in their own vehicles. Whatever your reason for using a taxi, you have a right to expect that you will be in a cab operated by a safe and careful driver. Here are some basic rights you have as a passenger:
- You have the right to a sober taxi driver
- You have the right to ask to terminate the ride at any time
- You have a right to report a driver who is unsafe, intoxicated or violent
- You have a right to call the police and report an accident, no matter what a taxi driver might say
- You have a right to be compensated for injuries you sustain due to a negligent or careless taxi driver
Who Is Liable?
New York operates under a no-fault law for auto accidents. Obtaining compensation in a taxi accident often depends on a wide range of factors, such as who was driving, what kinds of vehicles were involved and what types of insurance the drivers carry.
The law holds each person (and in some cases, their employers) liable for their actions. If a negligent taxi driver injures you while you are in your own car or as a passenger in another car, then you will first need to file a claim for no-fault benefits through your own insurance company or with the insurer of the other person’s car.
However, if you were a passenger in a taxi, you will first be covered by the taxi’s no-fault insurance. Cab companies are required to carry a minimum of $50,000 in no-fault PIP coverage. This pays for things like:
- Your medical expenses
- Lost income
- Out-of-pocket costs associated with the wreck
However, PIP coverage is not always sufficient to pay for all of the damages caused by a car accident. The high cost of medical care means that $50,000 can go very quickly. An experienced NYC auto accident lawyer can help you seek additional compensation from the negligent cab company and driver through their liability insurance policy.
Taxi Driver Insurance Coverage
Every taxi in New York City is required to carry a minimum amount of coverage, equaling no less than $100,000 per individual and $300,000 per event. Companies like Uber and Lyft have a separate set of rules and policies, and in many cases are covered by far higher policies than the standard taxi cab.
It can be difficult to seek compensation beyond the no-fault limits. No-fault laws were intended to expedite compensation for injured individuals without fighting about who was responsible for the accident. But there are situations where fault may apply, such as:
- If the conduct that caused the injury(s) was intentional
- If drugs or alcohol were a factor in the crash
- If the person was injured during the commission of a felony
- If racing contributed to the wreck
- If one of the vehicles involved was stolen
You may still be able to file a lawsuit if your injuries are serious and exceed the no-fault limits. The experienced car accident attorneys from Belluck & Fox can help you seek additional compensation from negligent taxi drivers and their companies.
If you need help recovering compensation due to injuries that you suffered in a taxi accident, give our firm a call today.
What If You Are Injured in a Cab?
Taxi passenger accident claims are complex. It all depends on who is at fault. Like any auto accident claim in New York, you’ll first need to file a claim with the cab company’s insurance carrier. If your injuries do not exceed the amount offered through the no-fault policy, you may be limited to that amount. But if you have serious injuries that exceed the cab company’s no-fault coverage, you may have the option of seeking additional compensation through their liability carrier.
If someone else caused the wreck, you’ll still need to file a claim with the cab company’s no-fault carrier. But, if you have serious injuries, you may then be able to pursue compensation against the at-fault driver.
How Can Belluck & Fox Help Me?
Our skilled taxi accident lawyers frequently help clients recover compensation in New York City and its neighboring communities. Our team can help preserve your rights by filing a cab accident injury claim.
It all starts with a free initial consultation with one of our trained attorneys. Belluck & Fox dedicates its entire practice to personal injury claims, ranging from traditional auto accidents to complex and catastrophic injuries. You can rest easy knowing you have one of the most experienced and committed firms in New York standing by your side through during this stressful time. We take our job very seriously, and clients always come first.
If you need an experienced taxi accident lawyer, call us today to schedule a private and confidential consultation. We will carefully take the time to get to know you and understand your injury first. Then, if we can help, we will aggressively pursue your case from start to finish, only taking a fee if we succeed in recovering money for your injury. There are no upfront costs. It’s just that simple.
The statutes of limitations governing personal injury claims are very strict. If you wait too long to take action, you could lose your rights to compensation. Don’t delay. Contact Belluck & Fox today.