Despite the growing car culture in the United States and other parts of the world, taxi remains one of the most convenient ways to move back and forth for the majority of commuters.
Sometimes in the process, the cab people are riding in cannot avoid but figure in an accident – a taxi accident.
Taxi drivers and taxi companies for that matter owe the public the utmost duty of care to bring them to our desired destination.
Taxis are denominated as common carrier by the law, and as such, required to exercise a special degree of care and diligence for the safety of their passengers.
Taxi accidents may result to serious personal injuries and even wrongful death. For these injuries, the law allows corresponding compensation for the victim or his family from any one, or in combination of some, of the following depending on circumstances.
• taxicab driver
• taxicab company
• other driver who caused collision
• entity who owns roads & streets in dangerous condition
• taxicab manufacturer and supplier
• any negligent person who contributes to the injury
A taxi accident attorney can help you go after those mentioned if necessary. A more meticulous lawyer of this type will immediately conduct an investigation of the accident. This is done not by the lawyer himself but by a professional investigator under his/her employ.
As police report sometimes lack necessary details to make the case stronger, it is a practical investment to hire the services of an accident reconstruction expert upon the advice of the lawyer. Such expert witness will validate the accuracy of the police report.
A reconstruction lawyer may clear things and other aspect of the accident, which are not covered by the police report.
Persons who witnessed the accident shall also be needed. A good taxi accident lawyer always exerts efforts to locate all possible witness to the accident. Failure or neglect to do so would greatly jeopardize the victim’s case.
A couple of hours after the accident, it is not surprising to see insurance company investigator to appear at the scene in an instant. In this regard, a help from the taxi accident lawyer must immediately be had to prevent making statements, which may be used against the victim in the end.
A taxi accident lawyer will negotiate with the insurance company for the best possible settlement of compensation. But reality shows that insurance companies seldom give adequate and proper settlement to the victims. In this regard, it is time to file a case before the court.
During the proceedings, the victim must prove the necessary elements of negligence. A taxi accident lawyer has the necessary expertise and knowledge in doing the same thru years of practice and experience in this kind of cases. Once this is established, compensation may be ordered.
Compensation for taxi accident generally consists of the following:
• past medical expenses
• future medical expenses
• past wage loss
• future wage loss
• past and future pain and suffering
With the taxi accident attorney’s help, punitive damages may also be recovered if the act, which produces the accident, is malicious, willful and fraudulent. The victim’s spouse may also go to court and ask to recover damages for “loss of consortium”.
If you or your loved one has been involved in a taxi accident, the soundest legal advice may be sought from our Los Angeles attorneys. For details on how to avail their services, visit our website and have your case assessed.
