Taxi Accidents in Los Angeles

Despite the popularity of rideshare services, taxis retain a share of the market, especially at LAX and other transportation hubs. However, increasing competition has had an impact. Taxi drivers may be more aggressive on the roads, and taxi companies may defer maintenance to protect profits.

These circumstances could increase the likelihood of taxi crashes. Our firm provides aggressive representation for people involved in taxi accidents in Los Angeles. Whether you are another driver or you were a passenger in the cab, contact our car accident attorneys for assistance with a claim against a taxi company.

What to Do After a Taxi Accident

Dealing with the aftermath of a taxi accident is much like dealing with any other vehicle accident. Drivers must exchange insurance and contact information, and police should be called if there is significant damage to either vehicle or any injuries.

Passengers in taxi accidents should collect information from the taxi driver, including the cab company, driver’s name, and the driver’s taxi permit number. If possible, they should also collect information from the other involved driver.

If police or emergency medical personnel offer transportation to a hospital, an accident victim should accept. People who suffer less serious injuries or are unsure whether they are injured should seek a medical evaluation as quickly as possible. When our Los Angeles attorneys pursue compensation after a taxi accident, we could use a medical record generated soon after the incident to support the case.

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.

Consult Our Los Angeles Attorneys After a Taxi Accident

If you got into an accident with a taxi or were a passenger in a cab that was involved in a crash, contact the accident attorneys at our firm immediately. We can preserve your rights and aggressively pursue a claim against the taxi company and any other parties whose negligence contributed to the wreck.

Taxi accidents in Los Angeles can raise complicated legal issues. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation to discuss your legal options after a taxi accident.