Taxis are a fixture of the New York ecosystem. Most drivers know the city streets backwards and forwards, but that doesn’t mean they’re immune to accidents. If you’ve been unfortunate enough to suffer an injury in a taxi accident, you know that these crashes can be physically, emotionally, and financially draining. Compensation can’t undo the collision or instantly heal your physical or emotional pain. However, it can help cover your medical costs and support you as you recover. The right Nassau County taxi accident lawyers may be able to help.
Whether you’ve been injured by a New York City taxi as a passenger, pedestrian, or occupant of another vehicle, the right attorney can increase your chances of collecting a respectable settlement.
Why Choose Us?
If you’ve been hurt by a taxi and are in search of legal representation, you have options. There are many personal injury lawyers in New York City, but here are a few reasons to consider Tucker Lawyers specifically:
- Our founder, John J. Tucker, Esq., previously worked as an insurance claims lawyer, so he understands the tactics insurance companies use.
- We have a solid track record of obtaining fair compensation for our clients.
- We’re proud to have a large number of positive client reviews.
- Our team of lawyers combines a diverse range of skills and experiences.
- We get to know each of our clients individually so we can advocate fiercely for them.
If you’re considering us, we invite you to book a free consultation. This gives us a chance to assess your case and you an opportunity to decide whether we are the law office for you.
What Causes Taxi Accidents?
Because taxi operators drive for a living, most are very skilled drivers. However, like any other driver, they can still cause accidents. These are some of the most common reasons for taxi accidents in New York:
Driving While Fatigued
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) sets hours of service regulations for cab drivers, truckers, and other people who drive professionally. These rules mandate breaks at regular intervals to reduce the risk of fatigued driving. If a cab driver doesn’t follow the regulations — or if they regularly drive while sleep-deprived — they may be more likely to crash.
Speeding
Speeding is a contributing factor in countless vehicle accidents. The faster a driver is going, the less time they have to react to an unexpected hazard.
Distracted Driving
Even experienced drivers can get lost in a daydream or otherwise become distracted while behind the wheel. New York’s streets are busy enough that even a momentary loss of focus could result in an accident.
Driving While Under the Influence of Alcohol or Drugs
Most taxi drivers are careful to remain sober and alert, but there are outliers. If a driver is under the influence of mind-altering substances, they may be more likely to make mistakes while operating their vehicle.
Why It’s Important to Have a Taxi Accident Lawyer
Maximize Your Chances of Fair Compensation
Strictly speaking, if you’re injured in a taxi crash or another kind of car accident, you aren’t required to have an attorney. However, in almost every case, a lawyer will be able to secure more compensation for you than you could recover on your own. A skilled taxi cab accident lawyer can strengthen your case in a number of ways, including the following:
Lawyers Know How to Gather Evidence
Whether you settle your claim with the cab driver’s insurance company or take it to court, you need strong evidence to succeed. Personal injury lawyers build and argue cases like yours for a living, so they know how to investigate accidents and prove damages.
They Give Insurance Companies a Reason to Settle
If you file an insurance claim on your own, you can choose to negotiate with the insurance company. However, many insurers are willing to negotiate only so far. If you don’t have a lawyer, they may assume you won’t take the case to court — or that their high-powered lawyers can win at trial if you do. Personal injury lawyers know how to negotiate with insurers. Insurance companies also understand that if they aren’t willing to settle for a reasonable amount, your lawyer won’t hesitate to go to trial.
They Can Support and Guide You Through the Process
Unless you have filed a personal injury lawsuit previously, navigating the legal system can be confusing and overwhelming, especially when you’re trying to recover from an injury. Your attorney can help you understand the process, but they’ll do most of the heavy lifting so you can focus on healing.
Have you been hurt in a taxi accident? If so, we’re here for you. Call Tucker Lawyers at (516) 399-2364 to book your free consultation.
How Long Do You Have to File a Taxi Accident Lawsuit?
Each state has the power to set its own statute of limitations for personal injury cases. In New York, the statute of limitations is generally three years from the date of the accident. This means you typically have three years to file a lawsuit. However, you shouldn’t wait to consult with a personal injury lawyer. Seeing a lawyer as soon as possible after an accident is important for a few reasons. For one, a lawyer will often attempt to recover CCTV footage and other evidence of the accident, and this footage is almost always rewritten after a certain amount of time passes. It also takes time for an attorney to build a strong taxi accident case, so you would benefit from giving them as much of a head start as you can.
Can You Recover Compensation if You Were Partially at Fault?
Some taxi accidents involve only one at-fault party. However, in many cases, both people involved contributed to some extent. If this is the case, New York still allows you to recover compensation. New York’s laws follow a “comparative negligence” standard. This means that you can seek compensation from the other party in an accident as long as you aren’t 100% responsible. However, there’s a catch. If you are awarded any money, the amount you receive will be reduced proportionately to your percentage of fault.
For example, imagine you cross the street outside of a crosswalk, and a speeding cab hits you. In this scenario, you might be 25% at fault. If a court awards you $200,000 in damages, that amount would be reduced by 25%, so you would receive a total of $150,000.
FAQ
For many of our clients, this is the first time they’re interfacing with the legal system. Understandably, they often come to us with questions. These are some of the ones they commonly ask:
How do I know if you’ll accept my case?
Each taxi accident is unique. Without knowing the specific circumstances of yours, it’s impossible to tell whether we can accept the case or not. If you schedule a free consultation, we can discuss your situation and determine whether we can represent you.
How long do I have to file a taxi accident lawsuit?
Generally, New York gives you three years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. To make sure your lawyer has enough time to build a strong case, though, you should contact a personal injury attorney as soon as possible.
How much does it cost to work with you?
We understand that if you’ve been seriously injured, you probably don’t have extra money to pay for legal representation. When you work with us, you pay nothing unless we win your case. If we do recover compensation for you, you agree to pay us a percentage of what you’ve been awarded.
How much is my case worth?
The value of your case depends on the severity of your injuries, the circumstances of the accident, and many other factors. At your free consultation, we can give you an idea of what your case may be worth.
Can I still receive compensation if I was partially at fault?
Yes. Because New York uses a pure comparative negligence model, you can be awarded financial help even if you contributed to the accident. However, the amount you receive will be reduced by your percentage of responsibility.
Will I have to go to court?
Probably not. Most personal injury cases are resolved outside of the courtroom. However, if we can’t settle your case, it may be decided in court.
We understand that if you’ve been seriously hurt in a taxi accident, you probably have even more questions than these. Don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Need a Taxi Accident Lawyer in Nassau County?
Let Us Help You Hold Negligent Drivers Accountable
Taxi drivers play an important role in New York City, but they also have a responsibility to protect the general public’s safety. If you’ve been hurt because a taxi driver was negligent, you shouldn’t have to deal with your injuries alone. At Tucker Lawyers, we’re proud to represent New Yorkers who have been harmed by the reckless or careless actions of others. We’re not afraid to stand up to insurance companies, and we have what it takes to fight for fair compensation.
If you’ve been hurt by a negligent taxi driver, don’t wait — call Tucker Lawyers now at (516) 399-2364 to book your free consultation.
Managing Attorney John. J. Tucker, Esq.
John has personally handled thousands of clients who were victims of another’s negligence and fights relentlessly for their rights. John enjoys bringing closure to a client’s matter so that the injured party can move forward with their life. His background enables him to evaluate complex liability related claims and bring resolution to claims in a record time frame. [ Attorney Bio ]