Assistance from Our New York Taxi Accident Lawyers Post-Accident

Public and paid transportation systems like taxi cabs are a necessity in a city as big and busy as New York, which is why the aftermath of taxi accidents can be devastating for injured passengers, pedestrians, and motorists. Recovering from an accident caused by a taxi driver can be challenging, and fair compensation from an injury claim is often needed to help victims heal and find closure.

Whether you were a taxi passenger, a pedestrian, a cyclist, or in another vehicle, a New York taxi accident lawyer can help you get the justice you deserve after an injury-causing crash. The personal injury lawyers at Seitelman Law Offices, P.C. will be by your side every step of the way, ensuring that you understand the process and trust your case is in good hands.

We will advocate for you and build a solid case to prepare for settlement negotiations or litigation by:

• Gathering sufficient evidence to support your injury claim, including medical records, police reports, and witness statements
• Consulting with expert witnesses to recreate the accident, identify the cause, and prove liability
• Negotiating settlement offers with the insurance company to ensure you receive a fair settlement offer
• Identifying the at-fault party, whether it is the driver, cab company, or another third party
• Preparing for court and litigate your case if the insurance company refuses to offer a reasonable settlement amount
• Answering any questions you may have and keep you informed about the progress of your case

Frequency of Taxi Accidents in New York City

In February 2024, there were 293 taxi cabs involved in traffic collisions in New York City. That equals about ten per day. Taxi accidents are most common in Manhattan, most likely due to the higher prevalence of public transportation like buses, trains, and the subway in other boroughs.

Potential Claims Against Cab Drivers and Other Responsible Parties

Who can you hold responsible for your injuries and property damage after an accident? While the taxi cab driver may be at fault for the accident, they are not the only potentially responsible party. In New York, injured accident victims can seek compensation from any at-fault party.

Taxi Drivers

Because taxi cabs are what’s called common carriers, drivers must exercise a higher degree of care when driving their taxis. Drivers have a responsibility to carry passengers safely, and failing to uphold that duty could cause them to be held accountable for subsequent damages from an accident.

Taxi Companies

The taxi cab company may also be at fault if they did not perform due diligence to ensure their drivers were competent or they did not supervise their drivers appropriately.

Vehicle Manufacturers

In some situations, an accident is caused not by a driver or pedestrian but by defective equipment. If a taxi cab has an engine or mechanical issue that causes an accident, the company that manufactured the part or assembled the vehicle may be to blame.

Other Drivers, Pedestrians, or Cyclists

If your accident involved multiple parties, the taxi driver may not be the person who caused the collision. There are millions of people in New York City, and with so many people driving, walking, and biking on the streets, an accident can be caused by anyone.

New York City Government

The City is responsible for maintaining the roads so that they are safe for travel. Faulty traffic lights, broken street lamps, worn-off crosswalk markings, or large potholes are dangerous road conditions that could lead to an accident. If a taxi cab is in an accident because of these hazardous conditions, the City could be liable for the resulting injuries.

Understanding the Causes of Taxi Accidents

Even though taxi drivers have a higher duty of care than drivers in passenger vehicles, they are susceptible to all of the same driving mistakes. The most common cause of accidents is distracted driving, but taxi cab drivers can cause car crashes for a number of other reasons, as well. Some of the other common causes of accidents include the following:

• Following too closely
• Failure to yield
• Speeding
• Running red lights
• Blocking traffic to pick up passengers
• Improper lane changes

Pursuing Compensation for All Injuries Resulting from Taxi Cab Accidents

Whether you were involved in a rear-end collision, sideswipe accident, T-bone crash, pedestrian accident, or any other type of taxi accident, the injuries are often devastating. Taxi accidents in New York City often result in the following types of injuries:

• Traumatic brain injury
• Spinal cord injury
• Broken bones and fractures
• Burns
• Lacerations
• Whiplash
• Concussion
• Amputation
• Paralysis

Recovering from your injuries is the priority, and you should be able to focus on healing after your accident. When you are dealing with insurance companies, accident claims, lowball settlement offers, and potential litigation, you cannot give your health the care and attention it needs.

A New York taxi accident lawyer is a valuable resource in your recovery. By trusting your attorney with all the legal aspects of your accident claim, you can focus on physical and emotional healing.

Available Damages for Victims of Taxi Cab Accidents

Taxi cab accident compensation is about more than just money. It’s about validation, closure, and justice. When you have the financial compensation you deserve after a taxi accident upends your entire life, you can start putting the pieces back together. What damages are you entitled to after a car accident in New York? The following damages can be included in your accident claim:

• Current medical bills or expenses
• Future medical costs
• Property damage
• Lost wages
• Loss of earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Disfigurement or scarring
• Disability
• Loss of enjoyment of life

Statute of Limitations 

You do not have an unlimited amount of time to take action on your taxi accident claim. The statute of limitations for filing lawsuits following taxi accidents is three years in most cases. This means that typically, you have three years from the date of the accident to file a claim for compensation. There are exceptions, so discuss your case with your accident attorney to ensure you do not miss important deadlines.

Trusted Legal Representation After a New York City Taxi Accident

Contact Seitelman Law Offices, P.C. to schedule a consultation and discuss your case with experienced New York City taxi accident attorneys.