Taxis are an important mode of transportation in central Florida. Tourists might find a cab to be the most convenient way to get around. Local residents might prefer taxis if they do not like driving after dark or want to have a few drinks without worrying about driving.
If you were involved in a taxi accident in Kissimmee, making a claim may be more complex than a regular car accident. Get in touch with the experienced car accident attorneys at Colling Gilbert Wright—The Florida Firm. We are the law firm other lawyers turn to when they need help with representation in a car accident case.
How Does Florida’s No-Fault Insurance Work?
If you are hurt in a car accident in Florida, you turn first to your personal injury protection (PIP) insurance, regardless of who was at fault in the crash. Florida law requires everyone who registers a vehicle in the state to show proof of liability insurance and PIP coverage. If you do not own a vehicle but someone in your household does, their PIP will cover you if you were hurting an accident.
If you are a passenger in a taxi cab when it is involved in a wreck, you will claim against the insurance policy of the taxi company or cab owner. Pedestrians and cyclists who are hit by taxis can also claim against the cab’s PIP if they do not have their own.
PIP covers your initial medical expenses and lost wages up to $10,000 if you seek medical attention within 14 days of the accident. It is advisable to obtain a medical evaluation on the same day as the crash, when possible. A Kissimmee attorney can use a medical record generated soon after the taxi accident as strong evidence proving the crash caused your injuries.
You Can Sue In Some Cases
If your injuries were relatively minor, your PIP could cover most of your losses. However, PIP only covers 80 percent of your medical expenses and 60 percent of your lost wages, so you will still be out-of-pocket.
If your unreimbursed expenses were substantial, you could file a claim against the taxi company or the at-fault driver in some cases. Our Kissimmee lawyers could help you explore your legal options after a taxi accident.
If the Taxi Driver Was At Fault
Taxis are not protected by the no-fault system. That means you can sue a taxi driver and the company that employed them without showing that you meet a legal threshold. If you have documentable losses that PIP did not pay, the taxi company is liable if you prove the taxi driver was at-fault.
Proving fault in a car accident is always challenging, and taxicab companies may have a team prepared to defend it and deny you compensation. A Kissimmee taxi crash attorney from The Florida Firm has the experience to take on the lawyers from the big taxicab insurance companies and win. Our firm has a long record of obtaining substantial verdicts and settlements for car accident victims.
If Another Party Caused the Accident
Taxi drivers are not at fault in every accident. Another driver or third party could be responsible for the crash that injured you. In that case, the regular no-fault rules might apply.
You could sue the at-fault driver for the expenses PIP does not cover if you meet the legal threshold. Florida Statutes § 627.737 allows you to bring an at-fault driver to court if the crash caused:
- Permanent injuries
- Permanent significant scarring
- Significant, permanent loss of a body part or function
Family members can bring a lawsuit when their loved one suffers fatal injuries.
Damages in a Litigated Case
When you sue for compensation after a taxi accident, you can claim all the expenditures made necessary by the accident. These include your medical expenses and lost income that PIP did not pay, incidental expenses, and any future expenditures or losses that can be reasonably anticipated.
You can also seek money for pain and suffering. You deserve compensation for your inconvenience, physical suffering, emotional distress, and any other results of the accident that diminished your quality of life.
Pursue Compensation After a Taxi Crash With the Help of Our Kissimmee Attorneys
Getting fair compensation for injuries suffered in taxi accidents in Kissimmee is complicated. Working with an experienced attorney at Colling Gilbert Wright can ease the burden and help you focus on your recovery. We do not accept payment from you until we win your case. Reach out today to schedule a free consultation to discuss your taxi wreck.