There are many large cities in our country. All of them naturally offer taxi services of one type or another. Often, we prefer to use a taxi in a city we do not know well as we really believe that a taxi driver will get us from one place to another safely, both during the night and in daylight hours.
Unfortunately, a large number of residents and visitors are injured in taxi accidents, sometimes due to collisions with other vehicles and also as a result of braking and jerking motions as the taxi attempts to find the quickest route to the destination.
Taxi operators are normally well insured against accidents
Taxis are normally covered by liability insurance, just in case they are involved in an accident. In New York, for example, this adds up to around $100,000 per passenger. However, if the taxi injures people in another vehicle the insurance amount available is a maximum amount of $300,000 that would have to be shared amongst all the accident victims if the taxi driver is found negligent.
There are many complicated factors involved in a taxi accident situation and the only way a victim can be sure he or she gets justice when inflicted with an injury is to contact an experienced lawyer who knows the system well and can determine what your entitlements are in your situation.
Taxi insurance
The majority of our states operate a No-fault system of insurance, which covers an individual’s economic loss at the most basic level, so if you are a passenger in a taxi accident the taxi firm’s No-Fault insurance will cover you for medical treatment and other financial costs.
The majority of taxis are covered by the usual No-Fault amount of $50,000, but in an accident they often fail to inform their insurer of the incident. This is where a lawyer can step in on your behalf to ensure that the insurer is notified of the accident. It is your legal entitlement not to pay any medical treatment through your own insurer but to use the No-Fault system. You can also claim for loss of income as well, but there are deadlines in plac, which have to be met to ensure entitlements.
Use a lawyer to fight your case
However, No-Fault coverage cannot be accessed for losses that are non-economic, such as mental anguish, pain and suffering and wrongful death. If you were not wearing a seatbelt, you may only be entitled to a reduced amount. If you have sustained serious, life changing events as a result of your taxi accident then you will need a lawyer to help you file a damages claim against the person at fault.
In the United States, you are not required to finance the cost of any injuries which occurred in an accident that was not your fault, but often it is difficult to piece together all the evidence to ensure that your rights are upheld. If your injuries are serious, then you will need to find finance to cover the cost of your recovery period which may be spread over a long period of time.
If you or a loved one has been involved in a car accident, learn how to protect your rights with a free consultation. Contact our experienced Auto Accident Attorneys.
