Whether you are a driver in another car or a passenger in the taxi itself, an accident involving a taxi can be treated, for the most part, like any other car accident. There are exceptions that can make car accidents with taxis more complicated, such as when you can make a claim with the taxi company instead of the driver. How you proceed depends entirely on situational factors at the time of the accident. It’s important for everyone who takes a taxi to understand what to do if they’re injured by a taxi and their rights following the accident.
The Accident
The moments immediately following an accident can be chaotic and confusing as you try to understand what has happened. As things settle, you should complete these steps to set yourself up for filing a claim:
- Check that everyone in the accident is all right
- Call the police
- Get the drivers’ information, including contact and insurance
- Take pictures of the crash
- Take witness statements if anyone saw the accident
- Contact your insurance company to report the accident
While you may be a passenger in a taxi, you can still carry out all of these steps. You do not, and should not, rely on the taxi driver to do them for you.
Injuries as a Passenger
If you’re injured while riding in a taxi, go to a doctor shortly after the accident. The longer you wait, the harder it will be to get your injury expenses covered by the guilty driver’s insurance. If the taxi driver was responsible for the accident, you may be able to seek compensation from the taxi company itself since the driver was on the job.
Injuries as a Driver
If you are another driver on the road who is hit by a taxi, you have the right to prove that the taxi driver was negligent and to gain compensation from them. If the taxi had a passenger or was going to pick up a passenger, the taxi company may be held liable for your injuries, but you still have to file a claim with the driver’s personal insurance first. Then, if their insurance can’t cover your losses, you can file with the company. If the taxi driver was not on the job, then you cannot file with the company’s insurance at all. Note: Indiana has a statute that bars recovery if claim notification is not filed with the state within 180 days after the accident. Seek legal counsel immediately following an accident.
Call a car accident lawyer in Indianapolis, IN, like from Ward & Ward Law Firm, to get a better handle on if you have a legitimate claim. They can analyze your case and give you a professional opinion on your chances of success.