Motor vehicle accidents are a common cause of personal injury lawsuit in Pennsylvania. Those who were injured because of a driver’s negligence may be entitled to compensation. However, victims may wonder if they can proceed with a lawsuit if a taxi driver was at fault for their injuries.
You may recover monetary damages after a taxi accident in Pennsylvania. Under certain circumstances, our Pennsylvania taxi accident lawyers can help sue an at-fault driver. However, in many cases, victims are prevented from filing a lawsuit and must file a claim with their own insurance company after a taxi accident. Our Philadelphia taxi accident lawyers can also help you file suit against your own insurance company for improperly denying your claim.
If you have been injured in a taxi accident in Pennsylvania, get help from our experienced Pennsylvania taxi accident lawyers by calling the Reiff Law Firm at (215) 709-6940 for a free case review.
When You Can Sue After Taxi Accidents in Pennsylvania
The process for recovering compensation after taxi accidents in Pennsylvania can vary. If you were riding as a taxi’s passenger, you will likely be able to file suit against a negligent taxi driver or third-party driver for causing your injuries. However, taxi drivers will likely carry liability insurance to cover some of your damages. If the damages suffered exceed the amount covered by a taxi driver’s insurance policy, our Pennsylvania taxi accident lawyers can file a lawsuit seeking additional damages from the taxi driver’s insurer.
If you were driving another vehicle and were injured because of a negligent taxi driver, your ability to sue may depend on the type of insurance you own and the severity of injuries you suffered. Drivers in Pennsylvania who purchased limited tort insurance coverage will be prevented from filing suit against an at-fault driver unless they suffered a serious injury. Victims with limited tort insurance who did not suffer particularly serious injuries must seek compensation through their own insurance company. However, you may file a lawsuit against your own insurance company for improperly denying a claim.
On the contrary, drivers who purchased full tort insurance coverage will be permitted to file suit against at-fault drivers after taxi accidents, regardless of the severity of injuries suffered. Our Philadelphia car accident attorneys can help victims determine the proper course of action in their case.
Who to Sue After a Taxi Accident in Pennsylvania?
Victims of taxi accidents may have multiple legal options available to them when seeking compensation. When a lawsuit against an at-fault party is available, it can be difficult to determine who to sue.
There are multiple parties you may sue after suffering injuries in a Pennsylvania taxi accident. Choosing who to sue will depend on who caused an accident. In cases where the cab driver was at-fault, plaintiffs may also sue the driver’s employer under the doctrine of respondeat superior. Respondeat superior essentially allows employers to be held liable for negligent acts committed by their employees within the scope of their employment. Accordingly, any of the following parties may be listed as defendants in a Pennsylvania taxi accident lawsuit:
Cab Company
Some taxis are part of a larger fleet of vehicles run by a taxi company. Taxi companies may be held liable for accidents caused by their drivers’ negligent acts. Furthermore, taxi companies may contribute to accidents in other ways. For example, a taxi company may be at fault for an accident if they failed to properly maintain their vehicles.
Our Montgomery car accident lawyers can help plaintiffs build their case against a taxi company. Filing against a taxi company is often the best route to recovering compensation after being injured in a taxi accident.
Cab Driver
The driver who caused a taxi accident will be responsible for damages stemming from the crash. However, attempting to recover compensation from a taxi driver may be difficult when drivers do not have the money or resources to pay for the damages they caused. Accordingly, plaintiffs in taxi accident lawsuits may name both taxi drivers and taxi companies as defendants. Our Allentown car accident lawyers can help plaintiffs make the proper decisions when building their case.
Third-Party Driver
If you were injured in a taxi accident caused by a third-party driver, you may seek compensation from the third-party driver. You will be prevented from filing suit against taxi driver or taxi company if they did not cause or contribute to your injuries.
Negligence on Behalf of Taxi Drivers as Common Carriers in Pennsylvania
Common carriers are people or companies that transport passengers or goods for a set rate. Taxi companies and taxi drivers in Pennsylvania are considered common carriers. All drivers are required to exercise care and follow the rules of the road. However, common carriers are required to exercise heightened care and caution in the transportation of their passengers or goods.
Accordingly, behavior that may not be considered negligent for a regular driver can be deemed negligent for a taxi driver. Still, plaintiffs in taxi accident lawsuits will need to gather extensive amounts of evidence and fight with insurance companies when proving whom was at fault. Our Pennsylvania personal injury lawyers can help establish fault if you have suffered injuries in a taxi accident.
Steps to Take Before Filing a Taxi Accident Lawsuit in Pennsylvania?
There are certain steps you can take after a taxi accident that may benefit you in a future lawsuit. Taxi companies and insurance companies will likely dispute any claims made against them. Accordingly, it is important to keep your composure after an accident. Each of the following actions can protect your interests and help you recover damages after suffering a taxi accident.
Stay at the Scene
It is important to stay close to the scene as possible after an accident. Those that leave the scene of an accident may be charged with a hit and run and will be unable to recover compensation for their injuries. However, victims should avoid standing on the road where they may be struck by another vehicle.
Call 911
You should call 911- immediately after suffering a taxi accident. A dispatcher will be able to send emergency services for anyone requiring immediate medical attention. Furthermore, a police officer will visit the scene of the accident to draft a report. A police report can be valuable when establishing fault in a future lawsuit.
Exchange Information
Next, you should exchange information with other drivers after a taxi accident, including your taxi driver. This includes contact information such as names, addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses. Furthermore, the license plate numbers and insurance information should be recorded for all drivers involved in the accident. This information will be needed you if you decide to file a lawsuit.
Additionally, contact information for any witnesses should be collected. Witness testimony can help our Bucks County car accident lawyers prove who was at fault after a taxi accident.
Document the Scene
It may also benefit you to take photos and videos documenting the scene of a taxi accident. Photos of the crash may help establish contributing factors such as weather or road conditions. Furthermore, photo documentation may also be used to prove that property damage was suffered because of a crash.
Seek Treatment for Your Injuries
You should seek medical treatment as soon as possible for injuries suffered because of a taxi accident. Insurance companies may use a delay in treatment to complicate the settlement process.
Furthermore, some injuries may not arise until well after an accident. Accordingly, you should seek a medical evaluation after a taxi accident even if you feel fine. Our Pennsylvania taxi accident lawyers can help refer the right doctor for you.
Common Causes of Taxi Accidents in Pennsylvania
Unfortunately, not all taxi drivers exercise appropriate care behind the wheel. There are various types of behavior that may be considered negligence on behalf of a taxi driver. Our Delaware County personal injury lawyers can help you recover compensation if your taxi driver committed any of the following acts:
- Speeding
- Distracted driving
- Driving under the influence
- Reckless driving
- Driving while fatigued
- Eating while driving
However, there are other forms of conduct that may be considered negligent for taxi drivers. If you were injured in a taxi accident, our lawyers can help determine if your driver failed to exercise appropriate care in a free case review.
If You Were Injured in a Taxi Accident, Our Lawyers Can Help
If you were injured in a taxi accident, seek assistance from our experienced Norristown car accident lawyers by calling the Reiff Law Firm at (215) 709-6940 for a free case review.
