Commonly Asked Questions About Taxi Accidents Answered by a Lawyer

Getting into an accident involving a taxicab can raise a lot of legal questions. Whether you were a passenger, a pedestrian, or another driver, it’s normal to feel confused about your rights and what steps to take next. These types of accidents often involve multiple parties and complicated legal rules, which can make it hard to know where to start.

You might be wondering who you can sue, what kind of compensation you could receive, and how long you have to get legal help for injuries sustained in a taxi cab accident. You’ll also want to know whether hiring a lawyer is necessary and what it actually takes to prove someone else was at fault.

Below, we’ll walk through the most commonly asked questions so you can get a better understanding of your rights and options if you’ve been involved in a taxicab accident.

Can I Sue If I Was a Passenger in a Vehicle Hit by a Taxi?

Yes, you can. If you were riding in a vehicle that got hit by a taxicab, you can file a lawsuit against whoever was at fault for the crash. This might include the taxi driver or the company that owns the cab.

It might also include the driver of the car you were in, or even a public agency if poor road conditions contributed to the accident. In some cases, you may also be able to sue a vehicle manufacturer if a defect in one of the cars played a role.

What If I Was Driving and Think I Was Partly to Blame?

Even if you believe the accident was partly your fault, you can still sue, as long as the taxicab driver also played a part in causing the crash. In states that follow the comparative negligence rule, your compensation will be reduced by the percentage of fault assigned to you.

For example, if you’re awarded $1 million but were found to be 50% responsible, you’d receive $500,000. You can still sue the taxi company, its driver, or anyone else who contributed to the crash.

What if I were hit by a Taxi While Walking?

If you were hit while crossing the street, especially in a crosswalk, you can sue the driver of the cab and possibly the taxi company.

If there were other circumstances, like another driver swerving and forcing the taxi to hit you, or a poorly designed street, you may also be able to sue those other parties.

The law allows you to take legal action against anyone whose actions helped cause your injury.

Can a Taxi Driver Sue Someone Else for an Accident?

Yes, absolutely. Taxi drivers have the same rights as anyone else behind the wheel. If you’re a cab driver and another vehicle caused the crash, you can file a claim against that driver. Whether the other driver was operating a car, truck, or even a bus, you’re entitled to compensation for injuries you suffered because of their negligence.

Can I Sue if My Loved One Died as a Passenger in a Taxi?

If a family member died while riding in a cab that was involved in a crash, you have the legal right to file a wrongful death lawsuit.

You can sue the cab company, the cab driver, any other drivers involved, or anyone else who may have caused the crash.

You may be entitled to compensation for both economic losses, like lost income and funeral expenses, and emotional damages, such as the loss of your loved one’s companionship and support.

Do Taxi Passengers Have Special Legal Protections?

Yes. In some states, such as California, taxicab companies are classified as common carriers. That means they are legally required to use the highest level of care possible when transporting passengers.

It’s not just about avoiding obvious dangers; these taxi drivers and companies have to do everything reasonably possible to protect their passengers, even from minor risks. If they fail to do that, they can be held responsible, even for small mistakes.

When Does a Taxi Company’s Responsibility Begin and End?

The duty to protect passengers starts the moment a passenger signals they want a ride and the driver agrees to pick them up. That duty continues until the passenger has exited the cab in a safe location, out of harm’s way.

If the driver lets someone out in a dangerous spot or drives off before the passenger is fully inside the vehicle, the company can still be held accountable. Basically, the responsibility covers the full process, from pick-up to safe drop-off.

What Types of Compensation Can I Recover?

If you’ve been hurt in a taxicab accident, you can seek compensation for medical bills, both past and future. You can also claim lost wages, reduced ability to earn in the future, and pain and suffering.

Emotional distress, like anxiety or depression, caused by the accident, is also considered. In some extreme cases, where the behavior of the person at fault was especially reckless, you may be awarded punitive damages as a form of punishment for the wrongdoer.

If someone dies in a taxi accident, their surviving family members can claim money for both financial losses and emotional suffering.

If the person survived for some time after the accident before passing away, the family may also be able to sue for additional damages related to the time between injury and death.