Taxicab Accidents
Just like any other kind of car accident, accidents involving taxicabs can expose the culpable party to legal liability. If you were injured in a taxicab accident that was the result of the taxi driver’s negligence, you may be able to recover for your injuries. Because taxicabs are licensed to transport members of the public, any passenger who is injured is entitled to make a compensation claim against the driver and/or the taxi company. It is important, however, to understand how the process of filing a personal injury suit against a taxi company works. The taxi accident attorneys at Slappey & Sadd are skilled at representing victims of taxi accidents and will diligently represent your interests in making a claim. We serve the entire state of Georgia, including Troup County, Walton County, and Whitfield County.
Liability for Taxi AccidentsTaxi drivers are trained professionals who are subject to extensive background checks and professional regulations and are thus generally safer drivers than the average driver on the road. Nevertheless, no driver is perfect and, given the number of hours that taxi drivers are behind the wheel on any given day, an accident is almost certain to occur sooner or later. Taxicabs are also much more likely to be driving in congested urban areas than the average driver, making it more likely that they will strike another car or a pedestrian in an accident. In any accident involving a taxicab, there are three potentially liable parties:
- The taxi driver: Taxi drivers can be responsible for the accident due to either negligent or reckless driving.
- The taxi company: The taxi company can also face liability for its drivers’ actions through vicarious liability. Alternatively, the company could face liability on its own if it is found that the accident was caused by professional negligence (such as failing to ensure that the driver was properly licensed, violating hours-of-service rules, etc.).
- Another driver: Taxi drivers must share the road with other drivers, and often, accidents are caused by these other drivers rather than by the taxi driver.
Once you and your attorney have identified the party (or parties) who you believe were responsible for the accident, your personal injury claim can commence.
Types of Taxicab Incidents We HandleWe handle all types of taxicab accidents and other incidents:
- Fatigued drivers;
- Speeding and aggressive drivers;
- Drunk or otherwise impaired drivers;
- Inadequately maintained taxicabs; and
- Physically violent drivers.
There are several key steps that you should take after any taxicab accident:
- Obtain the name and contact information of the taxi driver (this should include the taxi driver’s government-issued license number);
- Obtain the name and contact information of the taxi driver’s employer;
- Obtain the names and contact information of any witnesses to the accident;
- Take photos of the accident scene and any bodily injuries you suffered;
- Report the accident to the police;
- Notify your insurance carrier that you have been involved in an accident; and
- Contact a taxicab accident attorney to explore your options for filing a personal injury suit against the taxi driver or the taxicab company.