If you were injured in a Tampa, FL, taxi crash, the driver might owe you damages if their negligence caused the incident. In addition, you may file suit against multiple parties, including the driver and their employer, if they are found liable.
When you need help, our car accident lawyers in Tampa can manage the challenges of negotiating with the insurance company. Furthermore, we can gather evidence, handle calls, and arrange a fair and complete settlement. Our legal team will take the stress out of resolving your claim.
Understanding Taxi Cab Accidents
Taxi cab accidents are different from most car accidents. Many everyday fender-benders are resolved through your own no-fault auto insurance policy. However, since cab drivers must have commercial driver’s licenses, different insurance coverage regulations exist.
Taxi companies may require higher liability insurance coverage than a private driver would need. In addition, they may face stringent regulations on how they operate, increasing their risk of involvement in an accident and providing additional legal ramifications if a crash should occur.
Most vehicles in Florida must have personal injury protection (PIP), which covers the victim’s medical bills regardless of fault. However, taxi cabs are exempt from this form of mandatory coverage.
These cases can be complicated to understand since multiple parties may be at fault for the accident. However, a personal injury attorney can walk you through the key concepts of taxi cab liability to help you make informed decisions about your case.
You Could Recover Damages After Your Taxi Cab Accident in Tampa
Taxicab accident victims could be eligible for compensation if someone else’s negligence caused their injuries. However, recovering damages after a taxi cab accident can often be a difficult and lengthy process.
The first step in recovering damages is to speak with an experienced personal injury lawyer familiar with the laws governing taxi accidents. Also, collect documentation that may help establish liability and prove your injuries.
An attorney will help you explore all avenues for recovery. They will examine your insurance policy and negotiate a fair settlement with the insurance company. Filing a personal injury lawsuit against the responsible parties may be necessary to ensure fair compensation for damages.
Types of Damage You Can Recover
Florida allows compensation for economic and non-economic damages. Our team will have an in-depth discussion with you regarding the taxi cab accident’s impact on your life. The value of your lawsuit is directly tied to medical bills and property damage, among other factors.
Your emotional injuries are also a part of your total settlement. Knowing the details of your struggle helps us better understand your psychological injuries. We will fight to recover compensation for every area of your life that has been affected.
Our team of attorneys can help you understand which damages apply to your claim. We can help you file your claim through insurance or a personal injury lawsuit.
Compensatory Damages
The form of legal remedy for assessing monetary losses against the at-fault driver is known as compensatory damages. These include economic and non-economic losses, such as lost wages and emotional distress.
Compensatory damages are intended to restore a plaintiff’s financial and emotional state to how it was before the injury occurred. In determining compensatory damages, courts generally seek to equalize the economic burden of an injury between the parties involved by quantifying any non-economic losses into economic terms.
Economic Damages
Economic damages are tangible losses suffered by the car crash victim. Gather all accident-related documents, especially bills, and receipts, to prove the extent of your financial losses. Depending on your case, the following expenses may be covered:
- The cost of your medical care
- Future medical costs and rehabilitation
- Loss of income and benefits
- Property damage to your car
Non-Economic Damages
The intangible losses incurred by the victim after a taxi cab accident are known as non-economic damages. Due to their personal and subjective nature, these are difficult to quantify. However, with legal representation, you may translate your experiences into economic terms. You may recover:
- Future loss of earnings
- Pain and suffering
- Inconvenience
- Disfigurement
- Reduced quality of life
Hiring an experienced taxi accident lawyer in Tampa can help you obtain the highest possible financial award. They will work to ensure your rights are protected and justice is served by obtaining maximum compensation for you and your family.
Punitive Damages
Courts can award additional damages to punish the defendant’s egregious or malicious actions. Punitive damages are designed to discourage similar behavior in the future and serve as a warning to others.
These are awarded in addition to compensatory damages, which are meant to compensate the plaintiff for actual losses, such as medical expenses and lost wages. The availability and amount of punitive damages vary by jurisdiction and the case’s specific circumstances.
Certain states, including Florida, place a cap on punitive damages. Thus, you may access an award only up to a certain amount. For example, under Florida Statutes § 768.73, you may access an award of $500,000 or up to three times the amount of compensatory damages.
We Help Taxi Cab Accident Victims Access Benefits
Our firm can benefit your claim from the start. Initially, we assist by answering your questions about the legal process in a taxi cab accident claim. Your case evaluation is free, and this consultation could give you a better understanding of your options and if your claim is winnable.
If you agree to hire us, we can manage your case on a contingency fee basis. We only win when you win. Here are several other ways our team can benefit your taxi accident case:
Manage Evidence Collection for Your Claim
As attorneys, winning a case is done by proving the claim is valid. We will need evidence when we present your case in negotiations or a court of law. As part of representing you, our team will diligently gather, request, and uncover the proof needed in your claim. As part of this process, we will:
- Obtain police reports and speak with officers at the scene.
- Reach out to eyewitnesses and take their statements.
- Review your medical records, including obtaining expert testimony about your injuries.
- Recreate your accident to determine its initial cause.
- Take pictures of your injuries, vehicle damage, and the scene.
- Request cell phone data from drivers.
- Explore any complaints that may have been made against the taxi driver or company.
By effectively managing the evidence collection process, a lawyer can build a stronger case and increase the chances of a favorable outcome for their client.
Evidence collection is an important step in working through any claim. It is essential to obtain the necessary evidence to evaluate the damages and create a solid case. It can drastically improve the chances of winning a claim or dispute when done correctly and thoroughly.
Review Your Insurance Policy
A lawyer can review your insurance policy after a taxi cab accident to determine the coverage and policy limits. The inspection will also shed light on recoverable damages under the policy, such as medical expenses, lost wages, and property damage.
By thoroughly reviewing the victim’s insurance policy, your Tampa car accident lawyer can provide informed advice on the best course of action and maximize the chances of a successful outcome for your case.
Communicate and Negotiate With the Insurance Company
We will act as a liaison between you and the insurance company, taking over all communications and protecting your rights and interests. In addition, your attorney can determine what to include in the insurance claim and help you gather and present evidence to support your declaration.
Our lawyers will use the evidence to negotiate with the insurance agents to reach a settlement that fairly compensates you for your losses. However, we are prepared to take the case to court if the insurance company does not offer a fair settlement. Our attorneys have vast trial experience and can litigate the matter on your behalf.
Identifying the Negligent Parties in a Taxi Crash
The second part of representing your claim involves identifying the at-fault party or parties. In Florida, responsibility is established by showing negligence in the driver’s actions or that of the cab company.
The requirements for proving liability can be found in Florida Statutes § 768.81, which covers negligence laws. For example, if you were driving a vehicle and were injured in a collision with a taxi, proving negligence diminishes any percentage of fault that may be blamed on you.
Multiple Parties May Be Liable
There may be multiple liable parties in taxi cab accident cases. This can be confusing as the taxi driver, the company they work for, another negligent driver, or passengers from other vehicles could all be responsible.
In some cases, the responsibility could even fall on the manufacturer of vehicles or vehicle parts if an automotive defect caused the collision. For instance, establishing the liable party in a taxi cab accident is essential when seeking damages for emotional or physical injuries sustained in the crash.
Demonstrating Negligence in a Taxi Cab Accident Claim
There are four components to proving negligence in an accident or personal injury claim. Our team will use the evidence we have to show all four areas of the law are met.
Duty of Care
All drivers must show a duty of care to others on the roadways. The requirement to show respect while operating a vehicle would apply to all drivers, including the taxicab driver. Also, if poorly maintained brakes caused your accident, then the taxi company failed in its duty.
Breach of Care
Breach of care must also be shown to prove your claim, and your attorney will demonstrate this with evidence for your case. The initial cause of the accident can often illustrate the action which points to a breach of care.
If another driver hit the taxi you were riding in because they were texting, it would demonstrate a breach of care. Similarly, a violation of care can apply to the actions of the taxi driver and the taxi company.
Causation
When your attorney’s team investigates the accident, it may include a scene recreation. The accident investigation results also determine this element and answer the question of who caused the crash.
Damages and Injuries
Financial damages are demonstrated with receipts, hospital bills, and property damage estimates. Our team will collect all of this information at the start of your claim; further, we will demonstrate these are directly caused by your accident.
Common car accident injuries for which you can recover medical expenses include:
- Spinal cord injuries
- Internal injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Whiplash
Seeking medical care immediately after the crash can help strengthen your claim. The documents your doctor issues can prove the injuries you suffered are linked to a collision.
Florida’s Statute of Limitations for Car Accidents
Florida Statutes § 95.11 sets the time limit for victims to file a lawsuit seeking compensation for their losses. In Florida, the statute of limitations for car accidents is four years. This means that you must file a lawsuit within four years of the date of the accident, or you will be barred from pursuing legal action.
However, there are exceptions to this rule. For example, if the victim was a minor at the time of the accident, they may have a longer period to file a lawsuit. Consult your lawyer to find out if any exceptions apply to your case.
A personal injury attorney can help you understand your legal rights and the deadline that applies to your case. In addition, legal representation helps ensure your case is filed within the appropriate time frame.
Taxi Cab Accident Attorneys in Tampa Can Help You Win Compensation
A taxi cab accident can cause injuries and property damage in many ways. If you are coping with painful injuries after the crash, call us at Anidjar & Levine. We have the legal experts you need to deliver the compensation you deserve.
If you still have questions about your claim, you can use our free case review. Our legal team can help you resolve your claim regardless of if you were a passenger or the other driver in the accident. Contact us today.
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