There are over 200,000 licensed taxicab drivers in the United States. As common carriers, cab drivers are expected to safely transport their passengers to their desired destination. For this reason, drivers of taxis are held to a higher standard than other drivers on the road. It is assumed that they are intimately familiar with their state driving laws and have the experience to carefully and efficiently move their passengers from point A to point B.
Unfortunately, many cab drivers do not live up to these standards. Because of the incentive to pick up more “fares” and thus earn more money, taxicabs can frequently be seen driving dangerously throughout major cities such as Chicago, New York, and Los Angeles, leading to numerous taxicab accidents. If you have been injured in a cab accident, you should seek the legal counsel of an experienced Chicago taxi accident lawyer to assist you with your claim.
Victims of Cab Accidents
When cab drivers drive in an unsafe manner, they not only put themselves at risk, but many others as well. Some of the most common victims of taxi motor vehicle accidents include:
- Passengers: The number one responsibility for a taxicab driver is to safely transport his/her passengers to where they are going. But when there is a crash, these passengers often suffer injuries and in some cases fatalities.
- Pedestrians: Taxi drivers are notorious for blowing through stoplights at the last minute, sometimes not getting all the way through the intersection before the light has turned red. When this happens, pedestrians crossing the other way may have already begun walking. If the driver is not watching for these pedestrians, the situation can turn tragic.
- Bicyclists: In the downtown areas of many major cities, there are numerous bicyclists going along with the flow of traffic. When a taxicab runs a stoplight or weaves dangerously in and out of traffic, these bicyclists can be in serious danger.
- Other Motorists: Motorcycles and cars that share the streets with taxicabs driving dangerously often end up in a fender bender or a more serious taxicab accident.
Taxicab Accident Liability Claims
When a person is injured in an accident with a cab, there may be several parties involved and multiple sources from which to draw a claim. The taxi medallion holder has his/her own insurance policy, which is almost always separate from the company they drive for. In addition, if there is another motorist at fault in the accident, that driver’s insurance may become another potential source for compensation.
However, since most cab drivers are independent contractors and separate legal entities from their parent company, the cab company will often claim that the liability for the accident should be confined to the limits within the driver’s policy. This can make it difficult to collect the amount necessary to compensate for your loss. Because of the complex issues associated with cab accidents and the frequent need to go up against the high-priced cab company attorneys, it is important for victims to be represented by an experienced attorney with in-depth knowledge of these issues.
At Hurley McKenna & Mertz, P.C., we have over two decades of experience representing victims of cab accidents in Chicago, Cook County, and throughout the U.S. We know the legal tricks the other side plays to limit their liability, and we explore all legal avenues to secure just compensation for our clients. If you have been injured in a cab accident or someone close to you has been injured or killed by a reckless taxicab driver, contact an aggressive Chicago taxi accident lawyer at HM&M today for your free consultation. We will sit down with you to thoroughly examine your case and determine the best way forward to protect your rights and secure the compensation you deserve.
For a free consultation, contact Hurley McKenna & Mertz, P.C. today at 312-553-4900 or fill out our online form to have a lawyer contact you.
