Taxi Accidents in Los Angeles

Taxis Have a Heightened Safety Obligation

California Civil Code § 2168 defines a common carrier as a company that transports property or people for profit. Taxis are common carriers under the law. This is important because common carriers must meet higher standards than most drivers.

California uses a fault-based system for managing vehicle accident claims. When an injured person can prove that the driver at fault is negligent, they are entitled to compensation from the negligent driver and their insurance company. Drivers are negligent when they fail to use reasonable caution to prevent injuries to others.

However, if the driver is operating a common carrier, they must use the utmost and highest standard of care to prevent causing harm. That makes it simpler for our Los Angeles accident attorneys to hold a taxi driver responsible for a crash. Even the slightest deviation from best safety practices is negligent when a driver is operating a common carrier.

Coverage for Taxi Accident Losses

People injured in an accident that was not their fault are entitled to full reimbursement of all their out-of-pocket expenses and future losses. These include payment for ongoing medical care and compensation for diminished earning capacity. An injured person is also entitled to pain and suffering damages, which is money paid in acknowledgment of the injury’s impact on their quality of life.

A taxi company typically has liability either through negligent maintenance of the vehicle, negligent hiring of the driver, or as the driver’s employer. Taxi companies have commercial insurance policies that usually provide at least $1 million in bodily injury coverage. If damages exceed $1 million, the taxi company is responsible for the difference.

Depending on the circumstances, there may be other potentially liable parties. Other involved drivers, vehicle manufacturers, and local governments often bear some responsibility. Our taxi accident attorneys in Los Angeles would identify all the potentially responsible parties and bring them to the negotiating table, maximizing the pool of insurance coverage to ensure an injured person receives an adequate settlement for their injuries.

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