Being injured in a car accident caused by a taxi such as Yellow Cab does not change your right to make a claim. Whether you were a pedestrian, a passenger in the taxi, or the driver in the other vehicle, if you were not at fault, you should be able to gain coverage for your injuries. Dealing with a big company like Yellow Cab however, will involve some legal obstacles that might make your claim more complex.
No matter what the situation is, there are a few things you should do first:
- Obtain medical care immediately, if needed
- Call the police
- Collect each drivers’ insurance information and the taxi driver’s company information
- Take pictures of the accident scene, property damage, and your injuries
- Contact your lawyer
Who Was Responsible?
In many cities, taxi drivers must obey stricter rules while on the road. Most areas require drivers to pass various training programs and tests before obtaining their taxi or for-hire license. Like semi-truck drivers, they also have driving time limits to reduce the number of fatigued taxi drivers on the road. But many taxi drivers seem to be in a hurry and unexpected things happen.
Injured Passenger
If you were injured as a passenger, or as a pedestrian who had the right of way, it is not your responsibility to determine who was at fault for the accident, as you are the victim. If it was an accident involving the taxi and another vehicle, you will have to collect the insurance information from each driver and file a claim with each insurer.
Injured Driver
If you were injured as the other driver, you will have to determine who was responsible for the accident, you, the taxi, or both. If the taxi driver was partially at fault, you should be able to get some of your medical bills covered by their insurance provider. If the taxi driver was completely at fault, be aware that because driving is their source of income, they will likely fight the liability more than the average person.
Just know how much your injuries have cost you and about how much more you will need to be covered for your losses. If the accident involved more than one passenger, the insurance company might try to get you to settle for less than what you need.
Protect Your Rights
If you think the insurance company or taxi company is not providing you with the settlement you deserve for your injuries, it is recommended that you consult with a car accident lawyer. They will understand how to handle a claim with a large company like Yellow Cab and ensure your rights are protected.
Source: Personal Injury Attorney Indianapolis, IN, Ward & Ward Law Firm