New Jersey Accident Attorneys Fight for Passengers Injured in Taxi Cab Accidents

Accidents involving taxis and cabs include complicated theories of liability

Millions of people depend on taxi and cab services every day for transportation, particularly if they live in metropolitan areas. Unfortunately, many passengers are injured in taxi accidents every year. At Leonard Legal Group, our New Jersey accident attorneys are experienced in handling taxi cab accident claims. We know how to determine which avenues of liability are available under New Jersey law to ensure you obtain maximum compensation for your injuries.

Liability in a taxi accident

Depending on the individual taxi company, determining liability for an accident may be tricky. Common taxi company models include:

• The taxi driver owns the vehicle
• The taxi driver rents the vehicle
• The taxi company owns the vehicle, and drivers are employed by the company

If the taxi driver is at fault for the accident, liability is largely determined by the relationship the driver has with the taxi company. If a cab driver owns the vehicle that is involved in the accident, typically, the driver will be responsible for any damages that result. If the driver rents the vehicle from a taxi company, both the driver and the company may be liable for damages. Finally, if the taxi company owns the vehicles and employs the taxi drivers, the company may be liable for the accident if the driver is at fault. 

Unfortunately, when an accident happens, a victim has no way of knowing what the driver’s relationship with the company is until an investigation into the accident begins.

Injuries are often more severe in taxi accidents

Victims in taxi accidents often suffer injuries that are more severe when compared to other motor vehicle accidents. Why is this? Reasons may include:

• If passengers do not use their seatbelts, they are much more likely to be involved in a fatal accident.
• Most taxis have a partition that divides the front seat area from the backseat. Even when passengers use their seatbelts, they may still suffer severe injuries due to the presence of this partition.
• Taxi drivers often work long hours. Studies show that after eight hours of driving, a driver’s reaction time is significantly reduced, increasing the likelihood of being involved in a crash.
• Many taxi drivers work on a part-time basis. In one study, part-time taxi drivers were over five times more likely to commit a traffic violation and were more likely to be involved in an accident.
• Often, many taxis have missing or broken seatbelts. Airbags and other safety devices may also be missing, putting passengers at an increased risk for injury in the event there is an accident.

Seeking damages in a taxi accident 

The damages in a motor vehicle accident refer to the compensation that is necessary to make the victim “whole” again. These may reach into the hundreds of thousands of dollars in serious accidents. Damages awards often include one or more of the following:

• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Lost wages
• The cost of future medical care
• The cost to make alterations to one’s home (wheelchair ramps, etc.)
• Punitive damages

Other types of damages may also be available, depending on the individual circumstances of the case.

Time is of the essence in taxi cab injury claims, so call our skilled New Jersey accident attorneys today

In New Jersey, there are deadlines in place which impact personal injury claims. The Morristown accident attorneys at Leonard Legal Group are skilled in analyzing taxi cab accident cases to quickly determine the best route of recovery. It is important for us to begin working on your claim as quickly as possible. We offer a free consultation to discuss your legal options. To schedule your free consultation, call 973-984-1414 or contact us online.