What To Do In Case of a Taxi Cab Accident

A taxi accident can be a traumatic event whether you are a passenger in a cab or you are in a vehicle that is struck by one. If you are a passenger who commonly uses taxi services, take a moment now to think about the steps you must take after an accident. Your health, safety, and even your financial security may depend on it.

If you or a loved one has been the victim of a taxi cab accident, you have options. At De Castroverde Accident & Injury Lawyers, our team can obtain important documents related to your accident and help you build a case by determining liability and reviewing your medical records. Our Las Vegas personal injury attorney can guide you through the legal process while striving to obtain optimal compensation for you.

After a Taxi Accident, Your Health Comes First

Without a doubt, the first thing to address after a taxi accident in Nevada is your health. If you have been injured, seek medical treatment as soon possible. A delay in treatment can worsen an injury. When you are in a safe place, take a moment to consider any injuries you may have suffered. Some of these injuries may not manifest themselves until days or even weeks after the accident.

A Police Report Is Very Helpful In Proving Liability and Damagesyellow new york city taxi building

After you have examined yourself for injuries and sought any necessary medical treatment, it is time to take action to discover evidence of the accident. Fault must be proven, and evidence is the means to do it. When the police are called to investigate an accident, they file a report. The report is frequently useful evidence that can be relied upon in either a court of law or settlement negotiation process with an at-fault taxi driver’s company or insurance provider.

After an accident, the cab driver’s or the company’s insurance adjuster may contact you. During this time, be honest about what happened during the accident, but keep in mind that the insurer can use this statement against you during your settlement negotiations. A lawyer with experience speaking with insurance companies can communicate with them on your behalf and guide you throughout this process.

If You Can Do So Safely, Photograph the Accident Scene

In addition to calling the police to investigate the accident scene and file a report, take photos of the accident scene with your phone if you can do so safely. Specifically, photograph damage to vehicles, property, personal injuries, skid marks, fallen trees, and other elements that may have contributed to the accident.

Determining Liability in Different Taxi Accident Scenarios

Determining who is liable in a taxi accident is integral to ensuring that you are not responsible for bills and other losses that can add up following an accident. Nevada is a fault state in terms of car insurance – a legal distinction that makes blame for a taxi accident an important element in recovering compensation for injuries, pain and suffering, lost income and opportunities due to missed work, and other losses.

If a Driver Was At Fault for the Accident

A driver would be at fault for a taxi cab accident if they were:

  • Speeding or driving recklessly
  • Driving drunk
  • Driving fatigued
  • Running red lights
  • Ignoring traffic signs
  • Changing lanes improperly
  • Distracted
  • Failing to yield

If you were a passenger in the taxi cab at the time of the accident and it was your driver’s fault, they may be responsible for your damages. However, if a third-party driver caused the accident, then you would recover compensation from them or their insurer. If you were a passenger or driver of a vehicle that was hit by a taxi driver, you may pursue damages from the taxi driver or the taxi cab company.

If the taxi cab driver was at fault, you will most likely hold the company financially accountable due to respondeat superior. This principle states that employers are usually responsible for their employees’ actions. In turn, they, or their insurance company, will compensate you for your losses.

If Another Party’s Negligence Caused the Accident

If the cab company failed to keep their vehicle reasonably safe, they would be liable for the damages. Maintaining their cabs is one of their prime responsibilities. If the taxi cab malfunctions due to a lack of upkeep of the vehicle, then the taxi company should be held liable.

In the case that you need to prove the cab company is responsible for the accident, you could have a much more difficult time reaching a settlement, because the company will have a team of lawyers on their side. They may employ certain tactics to avoid paying out any money. This is why having a Las Vegas taxi accident lawyer on your side can be helpful.

A lawyer can handle all of the details of the legal process, and they can deal with the insurance companies while you recover from your injuries. If your loved one passed away from their taxi accident-related injuries, the team at De Castroverde Accident & Injury Lawyers can help you form and file a wrongful death lawsuit.

Acquiring Legal Help Following a Taxi Accident in Las Vegas

After you have been properly treated for any injuries, consider hiring a Nevada personal injury lawyer at our firm. They can help you recover compensation for the cost of past and future medical treatment for personal injuries, car repair bills, lost income or opportunities due to missed work, pain and suffering, and other losses.

De Castroverde Accident & Injury Lawyers has been providing legal representation to accident victims for four decades. Our Las Vegas taxi injury attorneys have worked on lawsuits involving taxi accidents, and they can help you with yours when you are ready to seek financial compensation. If you have experienced a car or taxi cab accident, contact the legal team of De Castroverde Accident & Injury Lawyers today. The first call is free.