New York Taxicab Accident Lawyer

At Morelli Law Firm, we believe that victims should not have to bear the financial responsibility of their damages from a taxicab accident. If you were injured in a taxicab accident caused by a negligent driver, our team wants to help you with your case by:

• Identifying the potentially liable party or parties
• Gathering evidence to help you prove liability
• Managing and filing your insurance claim with the other party’s provider
• Taking your case to trial if necessary

Taxicab accidents can leave victims injured and feeling vulnerable. Our team of car accident attorneys in New York can help you recover damages, such as lost wages, medical bills, and repair bills. Call Morelli Law Firm at (212) 751-9800 to speak with a team member about your case.

Taxi Drivers Can Be Reckless on the Road

For many people, taxis serve a valuable function. Many taxi passengers wish to avoid the stress that often comes with parking or sitting in traffic, while others refuse to take on the additional expenses of owning their own vehicle. Other taxi passengers simply want a safe ride home after a round of drinks.

According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), motor vehicle accidents were listed as either the first- or second-leading cause in nearly every major work industry, making this a concern for taxi drivers. With many taxis in New York, accidents involving taxicabs are events that can impact anyone.

A taxi accident can cause serious repercussions for pedestrians, taxi riders, or passengers of other vehicles. A New York taxicab accident lawyer can help you pursue the compensation you might be entitled to collect, which may be used to cover your damages, such as:

• Medical bills, including costs for hospitalizations, prescription medication, therapy, and medical treatment
• Lost wages
• Emotional anguish
• Damaged property

Taxicab drivers earn their income by the distance they travel and not the time they spend. This incentive might encourage them to speed or make other reckless driving decisions. Busy places with a greater chance of congestion might also enhance accident risk.

Your Taxicab Accident May Not Necessarily Involve a Taxi

A taxicab is a passenger car with a roof light that indicates whether the taxi is available for service. However, different types of vehicles also serve the same primary function as taxis, and these vehicles include:

• Town cars
• Livery cabs
• Limousines

Recently, Uber, Lyft, and other peer-to-peer transportation network companies are becoming more common on the roads. Yet, these vehicles operate differently compared to taxi services and are categorized as private contractors. For this reason, they are not considered the same as a taxi in the legal sense.

If you were injured in an accident involving a taxi driver, whether as a taxi passenger or some other role in the accident, you may be able to recover the damages you suffered. Call Morelli Law Firm today at (212) 751-9800 to speak with a team member about your case and learn about your legal options.

Certain Factors May Increase Risk of Injury in Taxi Accidents

A taxi performs the same role as other cars, so factors that might increase the chance of getting into an accident for passenger vehicles may also apply to taxis. However, a unique danger for a taxi is the partition that is located between the back and front portions of the vehicle. This section can be unsafe since passengers may strike their head or part of their body against it while moving at high speeds.

Similar to car accidents, driver error and negligence are the main factors that cause taxicab accidents. However, other factors might contribute to a taxicab accident, such as:

• Poor vehicle design
• Inadequate vehicle maintenance
• Poor roadway conditions

In these cases, a third party that contributed to the cause of the accident may be held liable, even if they were not physically present at the accident. For example, if the defective design of a taxicab caused an accident, the car manufacturer may be sued for damages. Alternatively, a government agency may be held liable if poor road conditions led to the accident. Be aware that taxicab drivers are responsible for keeping their vehicles in good running condition. Should a driver fail to do so, they may be considered at fault for any accident that resulted from their negligence.

Concerning a taxi accident, your legal standing may differ, depending on if you were a third party or passenger in the taxi. A taxi is considered a common carrier. Investopedia defines a common carrier as a “private or public entity that transports goods or people from one place to another for a fee.” This term refers to all conveyance services that the public receives as a willing transport for an accompanying fee.

Common carriers differ from private carriers, like private cars that are not used to offer such services to people. Other common carriers include:

• Trains
• Buses
• Airplanes

However, unlike the common carriers listed above, taxis do not follow a set schedule or feature a specific destination.

Classifying a taxi as a common carrier does have legal significance in that common carriers must uphold a duty of care for passengers. This stipulation means that taxi drivers must reasonably do everything possible to ensure the safety of their passengers and other road users. If they demonstrate any type of negligence, they may be held liable for damages.

Common carriers are required to uphold their duty of care to everyone around them, which includes third-party drivers and pedestrians.

What to Do if You Get Injured in a Taxicab Accident

Passengers who get injured while sitting in a taxi at the time of an accident are automatically deemed clear of any fault unless they were doing something to prevent the taxi driver from driving safely. This means you may have the right to seek compensation for the injuries you incurred in the accident.

Here is what you should do if you are involved in a taxicab accident:

• Seek immediate medical attention
• Collect the contact information of your taxi driver and any witnesses at the scene of the accident
• Take photos and video evidence of the accident
• Hire a personal injury lawyer to help you build your case for compensation

Hire a New York Taxicab Accident Lawyer from Morelli Law Firm

At Morelli Law Firm, we can help you have some peace of mind. Let us deal with your taxicab accident case while you recover from your injuries. Call us today for a free case evaluation at (212) 751-9800, and learn how a New York taxicab accident lawyer can help you with your case.