Any car collision is a dreadful and perhaps fatal occurrence. When it comes to a cab accident, though, the added element of misunderstanding only serves to exacerbate the situation.
- Who is to blame?
- What should I do now?
- What legal options do I have?
Following a taxi accident, these are just a handful of the inquiries that arise. Fortunately, we’re here to help you cut through the muddle and misinformation.
After an accident, we have some expert guidance from New York City Personal Injury Lawyer that will help you get back on your feet and earn the payout you deserve.
Before we get started, it’s important mentioning that there’s nothing particularly mysterious about a taxi accident or the legal concerns that arise as a result of it. In the vast majority of situations, these accidents are just road traffic collisions. As a result, responsibility can be distributed similarly.
A taxi driver or a taxi company, on the other hand, maybe significantly more serious about fighting a claim than a regular driver. This is because their company’s reputation and financial security may be at risk.
Let’s look at what you might expect if you file a taxi accident lawsuit. Let’s learn more about what you should do if this unfortunate situation occurs to you.
What type of mishap did you have?
It makes a great difference what kind of accident you experienced. This will determine how you pursue your claim, which channels you should use, and how much money you should anticipate getting. Take a look at the information below to learn more about the many types of accidents and to determine which one best fits your needs.
- A Taxi collides with your vehicle.
You’re driving along, possibly on your way to work or to see a friend, when a cab collides with your vehicle. So, what’s next?
The situation is pretty similar to that of a typical car accident in this case. If you’ve been hurt or your automobile has been damaged in an accident that wasn’t your fault, you should be able to file a claim.
This will necessitate demonstrating the following:
- That the accused was, in fact, responsible for the accident
- That the losses you’re claiming are legitimate.
It’s important to remember that showing negligence can be extremely harmful to a cab driver’s career. And it is this issue that is emphasized in their defense.
As a result, the claim could be more challenging to win than a typical car accident claim. This is especially true for those who own and operate their own cars. However, in most circumstances, these are the safest drivers.
At the time of the accident, you were a passenger in a taxi.
If you are a passenger in the taxi at the time of the accident and you are wounded, you will file a typical passenger injury claim. If you are a lone passenger, the taxi driver’s insurance should cover any damages. In most cases, this means you won’t have to deal with any lengthy claims.
However, if there are many claims on the same insurance policy, this becomes more complicated. Multiple claims could quickly exhaust the available insurance. This will result in the case going to court, which will likely make the process considerably longer and more inconvenient for everyone involved. It is a good idea to get experienced legal guidance if many claims are being made on the same insurance policy.
What should you do if you are involved in a taxi accident?
Taxi accidents are rare in the United States, yet they can be fatal. And the path you choose to take is crucial. This can mean the difference between a successful and unsuccessful claim.
So, try to remain cool and follow these steps:
- Information
Gather all of the necessary names and contact information. Because you must be prepared for a long procedure, it is vital that you obtain the contact information and full names of everyone involved in the crash. Drivers, other passengers, anyone else who was wounded or whose property was destroyed, and any witnesses you might want to speak with are all included. All of this information should be written down and kept in a secure location so that you can retrieve it later.
- Pictures
Take pictures with your camera. Following a cab accident, there may be a lot of rumor and speculation, just as there is after any other road traffic collision. By taking images, you are assisting in the verification of what you are stating and supporting any allegations you make. Take as many images as you can from various angles to provide police enforcement with a complete picture of the scene. Take photos of the other automobiles involved, as well as any injuries or any damage. Take a picture of anything that you think is relevant, and then submit the photos with your claim.
- Police
Call the cops. After a minor traffic accident, both parties may agree not to contact the cops in some instances. However, it is strongly advised that you call the police following a taxi collision. This is because the legal proceedings that follow may be far more onerous than they would be in a typical traffic accident case. Critical facts will be included in the police report, which may prove to be crucial in the future.
- Expenses
Keep track of all expenses incurred as a result of the accident. The first three steps will be completed at the accident site. After you’ve performed these steps, it’s time to start the recovery process and make sure you get the settlement you deserve. This implies it’s time to keep track of any expenses incurred as a result of the accident. This will include any hospitalizations required, both immediately after the accident and in the future; car repairs; vehicle recovery costs; the cost of replacing the vehicle while it is off the road; and the cost of any additional inconveniences or losses caused as a result of the accident. Keep all receipts and payment proofs.
- Legal advice
As quickly as possible, seek legal guidance. A legal action involving a taxi accident might go many different paths and have many different conclusions. As you proceed with the processes, an attorney or another legal professional will be able to provide you with the advice and guidance you require.
- Keep in touch
Witnesses should be followed up with. You may elect to follow up with any of the witnesses who were there at the accident scene with the help of your attorney. Keep in mind that if criminal proceedings are underway, the police will gather their own evidence from witnesses and pick who to question. If your insurance company is engaged, they may opt to gather their own evidence and interview witnesses. Never, under any circumstances, harass or coerce a witness. This is illegal, and in the best-case scenario, you will lose your case, and in the worst-case scenario, you will be prosecuted.
- Choose a claim.
Choose between filing an insurance claim and filing a personal injury lawsuit. A personal injury lawyer NYC can assist you in determining the best line of action for you. This will assist you in obtaining the greatest possible results from your case.
- Make a claim.
It’s time to file your claim now that you’ve completed all of the preceding stages. The procedure for filing a claim varies depending on the sort of claim you’re filing, but it’s fairly similar to filing a regular auto accident claim. The process of filing an insurance claim is simple, and the insurance company will assist you. However, if you want to file a claim with the courts, you’ll almost certainly require legal help.
What issues should you be aware of following a taxi accident?
Any car accident might have long-term consequences. All of the following can occur as a result of these ramifications:
- long-term injuries
- long-term discomfort
- monetary difficulties
- loss of employment
- a history of psychiatric trauma
- scars left by emotions
The cost and stress of a long-term legal struggle, however, is something that many people overlook. With so many other things to worry about, this is generally the last thing on the mind of an accident victim. Unfortunately, this creates a slew of issues because the legal procedure might take a long time to complete.
However, not all legal matters will have you being in court for an extended amount of time. Settlements should, in most situations, be processed and closed quickly and without incident. Despite this, you may encounter some extra difficulties.
When filing a claim after a taxi accident, one issue you may face is a disagreement about the amount of the driver’s liability. It is not uncommon for legal terms or insurers to raise doubt on liability following a multi-vehicle accident by asserting lesser blame.
Taxi drivers, once again, are generally far more zealous in their defense if their driving ability is called into question. A cab driver’s primary concern is road safety. It’s understandable that they’d fight even harder to protect their reputation.
For example, if two drivers were involved and both were determined to be at fault, the expense of the claim would most likely be split 50/50. Things, on the other hand, rarely go as planned.
One party may argue that they should only be accountable for 30% of the expense, with the other driver shouldering the remaining 70%. You may believe that if you were not one of the drivers involved in the accident and are pursuing a personal injury claim, this does not affect you. After all, you will still be compensated in full for your claim.
However, this is a blunder. Such speculation and dispute can result in a lengthy and drawn-out series of proceedings. This could cause significant delays in receiving your payout. As you may already be aware, these delays have the potential to exacerbate your problems (such as financial difficulty) over time.
If an agreement cannot be reached, or if the dispute has gone on for too long with only a minimal chance of being resolved, additional legal action may be required. As time passes, it’s possible that you’ll lose sight of when a resolution will be reached.
If there are many passengers in the taxi at the time of the accident, another issue may arise. It’s possible that more than one passenger will need to file a claim in these situations. Multiple claims might quickly deplete the taxi driver’s or taxi company’s available insurance coverage.
This means that the claimants will be unable to obtain funds from the taxi’s insurance. In this case, the parties have no choice but to take the case to civil court. The court can then analyze the entire scope of what occurred and make a decision. However, this approach will extend the time it takes to process your claim, making things much worse for you.