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Traditional taxi services serve thousands of customers in western Pennsylvania every year and provide a valued alternative to more modern options like rideshare apps. However, even with specialized training and years of experience behind the wheel, cab drivers can still make mistakes while driving that lead to preventable traffic collisions. Sometimes, those wrecks have catastrophic consequences for multiple people involved.
If you were hurt in a taxi accident in Erie, you may have lots of questions about what legal options are available to you and what kind of compensation you can seek for the harm you have unfairly sustained. A knowledgeable car wreck attorney can give you the answers you need to fully understand your rights and, once retained, help you achieve the best possible result from your lawsuit, settlement demand, or insurance claim(s).
Are Taxi Drivers Always Legally at Fault for Taxi Crashes?
Every person who operates a motor vehicle on public Pennsylvania roads has the same duty of care requiring them to obey traffic laws and generally act like a reasonable person while driving. Cab drivers are no exception. As a result, any taxi driver who causes a crash in Erie by doing something reckless, careless, or illegal behind the wheel can be held liable for that crash’s consequences, just like any other driver.
That said, crashes involving taxis sometimes stem mainly from the negligence of a third party on the road with the cab driver instead of the cab driver themselves, in which case that third party would be the one who holds civil liability for ensuing losses. It is worth noting as well that cab companies can often be held vicariously liable for negligence by one of their drivers. This can allow for much greater financial recovery than a claim filed solely against a single driver would.
Getting Paid Fairly Within Filing Deadlines
A comprehensive lawsuit or settlement demand over a traffic accident involving a taxicab in Erie can seek compensation for both economic and non-economic repercussions of the wreck, including things like:
- Short-term and long-term medical bills
- Lost work wages, benefits, or earning ability
- Expenses stemming from personal property damage—for example, rental car fees while a personal vehicle is being repaired
- Physical pain and discomfort
- Psychological trauma and distress
- Lost quality/enjoyment of life
No matter who is to blame for a particular wreck or how bad resulting injuries are, though, 42 Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes § 5524 allows most people just two years to file suit after initially getting hurt, or else this statute of limitations will permanently bar them from ever seeking compensation for that particular injury. There may also be restrictions on the rights of people with certain types of car insurance to sue over their injuries in the first place, as a qualified legal professional can explain in more detail.
File a Taxi Accident Lawsuit With the Help of An Erie Attorney
Taxi drivers are expected to be responsible behind the wheel just like people driving personal vehicles are—especially while they are transporting a paying customer in their backseat. Nevertheless, taxi accidents in Erie still happen much more often than many people think.
If you are dealing with the aftermath of a wreck like this, you should make seeking help from a seasoned lawyer your number-one priority. Call today to discuss your legal options and get started on your unique claim.
