When visiting Orlando for business or pleasure, you may use a traditional taxi at some point. You may also use cabs to avoid parking fees in congested areas or to safely enjoy a night on the town.
Unfortunately, taxi accidents in Orlando are common, and obtaining compensation can be challenging. Contact an experienced car crash attorney at Colling Gilbert Wright, also known as The Florida Firm. We have successfully represented injured people with auto accident injuries for decades, and we have a well-deserved reputation for taking exemplary care of our clients while achieving outstanding results.
How Taxi Accidents Happen
Taxi drivers do not need special training to transport passengers. Although most reputable taxi companies review a driver’s record before hiring them, those drivers are as likely to get into accidents as anyone else. In fact, the nature of taxi driving probably makes them more likely to be involved in wrecks.
Taxi drivers work long hours in highly congested areas like hotel entrances and airport arrival lanes. They often pull over in the middle of a block to pick up a hailing passenger or drop someone off. A passenger who is running late may encourage the driver to speed or take other risks.
When you are injured in a taxi wreck and come to us for help, our Orlando attorneys thoroughly investigate the circumstances that led to the crash. We may identify all the potentially responsible parties and work to hold them accountable for your losses.
How Do You File a Claim for a Taxi Accident?
If you were injured in a taxi wreck while in another vehicle, the claims process is the same as in any car accident. You must make a claim to your personal injury protection (PIP) insurance. If you have serious injuries and can prove they were caused by someone else’s negligence, you can bring a legal claim for compensation against the responsible parties.
If you were hurt riding a taxi, or if a cab hit you while you were walking, jogging, or riding a bicycle or skateboard, you must also start with a claim to your PIP insurance. However, if you live in a state with a tort-based auto accident claim system rather than a no-fault system, you may not have PIP insurance. You will need to rely on travel insurance or your personal health insurance to pay for your medical treatment if you do not have PIP insurance.
Taxi companies do not typically have PIP insurance to cover passengers, but Florida Statutes §324.031 requires them to have liability insurance for bodily injury of at least $125,000 per person/$250,000 per incident. However, the taxi company’s insurance will cover you only if the driver’s negligence contributed to the accident. A seasoned Orlando taxi wreck attorney from Colling Gilbert Wright could collect and present evidence of negligence, ensure any settlement with the taxi company is fair, and present a credible risk of litigation if the company does not negotiate in good faith.
Proving the Taxi Company’s Negligence
The taxi company is responsible for its driver’s actions if the driver is their employee. If the driver is an independent contractor, the taxi company may claim it is not responsible for the driver’s actions.
Our attorneys can hold the taxi company liable even when the driver is not their employee. Negligent hiring could be the basis of liability if the driver has a history of accidents or does not hold the appropriate driver’s license endorsement. If a problem with the vehicle contributed to the wreck, the taxi company is liable.
Additional parties might also be responsible for the crash. Other involved drivers, vehicle manufacturers, and local government agencies are sometimes liable for your damages due to injuries in taxi crashes in Orlando.
Contact an Attorney If You Were Hurt in an Orlando Taxi Accident
When you are hurt in an accident involving a taxi, the claims process becomes more complex than usual. While the process can be complicated if you are a local, getting fair compensation might seem overwhelming if you are a visitor.
At The Florida Firm, we often represent people injured in taxi accidents in Orlando, and we have an enviable record of high-dollar settlements and verdicts in auto accident cases. We do not charge you for costs or fees until we obtain compensation for you. Contact us today to discuss your taxi accident at no risk, and discover why both individuals and other law firms trust us to handle their accident claims with dedication, passion, and skill.