If you live in New Jersey, especially in our urban areas, there is a good chance you use our taxi services fairly often. While taxi drivers are usually responsible, follow the rules of the road, and get you to your destination safely and on time, this is not always the case. Sometimes, taxi drivers are negligent, and taxi accidents can occur as a result. What’s worse, taxi injuries are very often more severe than standard car accident injuries. If you were injured in a taxi accident, read on and reach out to our seasoned New Jersey auto accident lawyers for help.
What are some of the most common contributors to taxi accidents?
There are a wide array of scenarios that may lead to a taxi accident, including:
- Inclement weather conditions, such as black ice or heavy rain
- Faulty or defective car parts
- Poor road conditions, such as potholes
- Negligent road design
Unfortunately, the most common cause of taxi accidents is driver negligence, despite their preventability. Examples of negligent driving behavior are as follows:
- Unsafely changing lanes
- Failing to yield
- Driving while drowsy
- Speeding
- Texting while driving
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Eating or smoking while driving
- Failing to comply with traffic lights and signs
- Disregarding other rules and regulations of the road
How do I determine liability in a taxi accident?
As with any personal injury case, if you can prove that you have been injured due to another party’s negligence, there is a good chance you will be able to recover compensation. However, determining liability in taxi cab injury claims is a little more challenging. For example, let’s say a taxi driver does not own or rent his vehicle and is instead employed by a taxi company that owns the vehicle. If this driver gets in an accident, both he and his taxi company may be held liable. Generally, you will not know the taxi driver’s relationship with the taxi company until after the investigation has begun.
How can I prove I was injured due to another party’s negligence?
The first thing you should do is collect your driver’s information, including his or her license plate number. Hiring an experienced attorney will help you recover any security camera footage that may have captured your accident as it happened, as well as ensure that both you and the driver are taking all the necessary steps for you to recover the compensation you deserve. This compensation may be used to cover the cost of medical bills, in-home care, lost wages, and more. If you have been injured, do not wait. Contact an attorney who will fight for your rights today.
