Iconic yellow taxi cabs have been a NYC symbol for decades. Taxis are involved in 5% of all accidents in NYC, and that only increases when you start including rideshare companies. Taxi accidents can leave you injured and out of work but you have several legal options for pursuing compensation. Know your rights as a rideshare passenger, seek medical attention, and file a claim with the guidance of an expert legal team.
Your Rights After a New York Taxi Accident
Riding in a taxi through New York City, and all of a sudden you're injured in an accident. Do you know what to do? It’s important to understand how your insurance coverage works in the case of an accident involving a rideshare company with you as a passenger. The first thing to know is that there are major differences between ridesharing companies and yellow taxicabs. Ridesharing in NYC is subject to laws with the taxi and limousine commission while taxi cabs are not, and to make matters more complicated that doesn’t ring true for the rest of the state. Working with an experienced attorney will help you navigate these intricate nuances if you ever find yourself in a taxi accident.
What Should You Do After a Taxi Accident
After an accident involving a taxi, you should seek emergency medical attention. Injuries can present themselves after the initial shock has worn off. Always call 911 so that law enforcement can document the scene, and so you can be examined by medical professionals. After there’s a police report, and your injuries have been tended to, you can work with an experienced attorney to start your case. Having an attorney handle your case means that they will be able to manage the claim with your insurance provider. They will also be able to contact the police to collect the investigation information such as the taxi’s medallion number or any witness accounts.
Right to Medical Attention
After being involved in an accident, even if you feel it is just a minor accident, you should always seek medical attention and be examined. The shock and adrenaline can mask any injuries that you may be experiencing at the time of the accident. And if you happen to be in a taxi or ride share you may want to downplay any injuries to put people at ease. However, if you are telling law enforcement and others that you “feel fine” or are not injured it will be documented as such. You have a right to seek medical attention and ensure your physical safety.
Right to File a Claim
Passengers and pedestrians alike are at risk of being injured by a taxicab, and when their negligence causes you to suffer, you deserve compensation. Most of these accidents are preventable and you shouldn’t have to needlessly suffer for their carelessness. With a yearly estimated 3,000 people seriously injured, and over 200 fatally so, NYC has put forward multiple initiatives to target dangerous driving. The way you can help is to hold these careless drivers accountable.
No-Fault Insurance Laws in New York
New York has a no-fault insurance policy throughout the state. No-fault insurance policies allow you to file accident claims with your insurance, instead of going through the other person’s policy. The advantages of not having to prove fault, and the convenience of using your insurance also come with a cap on damages that you can recover. The insurance you have, and the policy that you are covered under, is what determines the cap.
Shared Liability
The hectic NYC streets are filled with bustling traffic and the most important part is to call the authorities to document the scene of the accident in every way possible. Even with minor accidents, building your case with evidence ensures that you are taken care of after the accident.
This evidence builds the case for who is at fault and that could be more than one person like:
- Taxi driver
- Parent Companies
- Other drivers
- Pedestrians
Having an experienced attorney will help you recover the most compensation from the accident, because they will not only be able to determine who was potentially at fault but they will be able to navigate the shared liability and help hold all parties accountable.
Taxi and Rideshare Insurance Coverage
All taxicab owners must ensure that they are adequately insured under the NY State Insurance Laws which require a minimum of:
- $25,000 per person coverage
- $50,000 per occurrence coverage
Taxi cabs and rideshares are held accountable by the NYC Taxi and Limousine Commission and they have further minimum coverage requirements of:
- $100,000 per person
- $300,000 per occurrence
Filing a claim with your personal injury insurance policy will get you coverage for your immediate medical needs, but it doesn’t compensate you for severe injuries, or other damages that a personal injury lawsuit would be able to cover.
How an Auto Accident Attorney Can Help
After being involved in an accident the insurance companies will often try to get you to settle for far less than what your case is worth. Hiring a NYC taxi accident lawyer to handle your case will keep you from being taken advantage of. All accidents and their cases are different and to get a true understanding of the total amount of damages you can collect, contact us to talk to an attorney with a record of success.
Maximize Your Recovery With Ajlouny Injury Law
If you’ve been injured by a rideshare or taxicab in NYC, securing compensation requires expert legal representation. Ajlouny Injury Law is the legal representation that starts your case with free legal advice.
Starting on the right foot to make sure that your first steps to get you back on your feet are the most informed is the way that Ajlouny Law can get you on the path to healing and compensation.
