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Free ConsultationWhile traditional taxi services are not quite as popular in the modern era of rideshare apps like Uber and Lyft, they still provide service to thousands of Philadelphians every single day. Unfortunately, not every trip in a taxicab is an unremarkable journey from point A to point B. A ride in a taxi could result in a traffic collision, which causes serious and even life-threatening injuries.
Taxi accidents in Philadelphia can serve as grounds for civil litigation just like all other types of auto collisions can. Still, there are some unique components to cases based on taxi crashes that are worth knowing about in advance. Below is a brief primer on what this case process might look like if you want to take legal action over this sort of wreck, as well as how support from a seasoned lawyer can boost your chances of success.
Who Can Be Held Liable for a Taxicab Crash?
Suppose a taxi driver acts recklessly, carelessly, or illegally behind the wheel and causes their passenger—or someone else on the road around them—to get injured in an ensuing traffic crash. In that case, that taxi driver can be held directly liable for losses stemming from that crash because of their legal negligence. Unfortunately, individual cab drivers rarely have enough insurance coverage or personal assets to cover all the losses that a serious motor vehicle collision can cause. That is why it can be vital to name more than one person as a defendant in a Philadelphia taxi accident claim.
In many situations, the company that employs a negligent cab driver can be held vicariously liable for their employee’s misconduct or even directly liable for hiring and training practices that led to an unqualified driver operating one of these vehicles. In other situations, partial fault for a wreck like this may lie with:
- A mechanic who failed to provide high-quality service to a taxicab
- A car manufacturer which produced defective parts
- Someone else on the road who crashed into a taxi because of their own negligence
A proactive attorney will thoroughly investigate a taxi collision to identify all potentially liable parties and collect the evidence necessary to hold them accountable for their negligence.
Recovering Fairly Within Filing Deadlines
Regardless of who is at fault for a Philadelphia taxi crash, a lawsuit or settlement can demand restitution for all economic and non-economic consequences the collision has on the injured person filing suit. This can include but is not strictly limited to things like:
- Medical bills and car repair costs not already covered by insurance
- Lost work income, benefits, or earning capacity
- Personal property damage/loss
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional anguish and trauma
- Lost quality of life and other effects of permanent disfigurement or disability
It is important to take action as soon as possible after the actual accident, though, since Pennsylvania law generally gives personal injury victims a maximum of two years to file suit after sustaining an injury.
Contact a Philadelphia Attorney for Help After a Taxi Accident
Getting hurt in a car crash while you are just a passenger can be a uniquely unsettling experience—not to mention a life-changing one, depending on how serious your injuries are. Even if you were not driving, though, you can still take legal action against anyone whose negligence led to you suffering preventable harm, including a taxi driver who got into a wreck with you in the backseat.
Recovering fair compensation after a taxi accident in Philadelphia will be much easier with help from an experienced lawyer. Call Lowenthal & Abrams, Injury Attorneys today to discuss your options.
