In Florida, taxi cab accidents are numerous mainly because taxi drivers are often careless. Every year they cause hundreds of accidents resulting in thousands of injuries . Since taxi drivers are often in a rush to transport a certain number of people per day, they frequently fail to yield the right of way, improperly change lanes, fail to properly maintain their vehicles, and engage in other negligent conduct that places fellow travelers at risk. Unfortunately, there are a number of taxicab drivers that have a history of these types of traffic offenses. This behavior causes accidents and injuries to passengers within the taxicab as well as people within other vehicles and pedestrians. Injuries can range from whiplash to severe brain injury and death. Whether or not the injury is serious does not change the fact that taxicab drivers should be held liable for their wrongful actions.
Florida Law in Taxi Cab Accidents
There are thousands of taxi cabs serving Broward County. If you or a loved one has been injured by or in a taxicab, there are a few things to keep in mind to ensure your legal rights are respected. Taxicabs are owned by a company, and so the company can be held liable for your injuries. In most cases Florida law recognizes that the taxi cab company (as the employer) is liable for the acts of the driver-employee without regard to whether the torts committed were within the scope of employment. Other drivers do not operate from a company and claim to be “self-insured.”
Taxi Cab Accident Insurance
The amount of recovery you will be able to obtain from the taxicab’s insurance company depends on the type of insurance coverage the driver or the taxicab company may have. While personal injury protection (PIP) coverage is required of most motor vehicle drivers, it is not mandatory for taxicab drivers. Taxicabs are considered vehicles that are used for delivery services and are therefore exempt from this requirement. This does not mean, however, that taxicabs are not required to have any coverage. Required auto insurance coverage includes bodily injury liability (BI) coverage of $125,000 per person and $250,000 per occurrence. Taxicabs are also required to have $50,000 in property damage liability (PD) coverage. If you are in the taxicab with more than one person, then the coverage is limited to a total of $250,000.
Due to the complexity of the claims and the minimal compensation provided by insurance companies, injured victims or loved ones of victims often seek legal consultation to obtain the full amount of money to which they are entitled. Whether or not you decide to pursue legal action, you should protect yourself in the event of a lawsuit. Make sure to obtain the names and contact information of any witnesses who are present at the scene of the accident. Take pictures if you have a mobile phone or ask someone around to take pictures to send to you. Keep any medical records, especially if you have sought emergency medical treatment immediately after the accident. These simple steps can prevent a taxicab driver from denying liability or arguing that your injuries are not severe.
Where to find a taxi cab accident lawyer with free consultation near me?
Involved in a taxi cab accident? Schedule a Free Consultation with one of our taxi cab accident attorneys in Pembroke Pines. We are a firm comprised of experienced accident attorneys and take our clients cases seriously. Our lawyers are known in the community to provide reliable trustworthy answers, aggressive legal representation, and affordable legal services. You NEVER PAY unless YOU GET PAID. We understand you have your choice of no win, no fee personal injury lawyers.
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