When we get into a cab, we expect that we will get to our destination safe, but sometimes that doesn’t happen. Taxicab drivers are statistically safer drivers than the average passenger car driver according to a study by Bruce Schaller of Schaller Consulting who compiled the report for the New York City Transit.
After analyzing state motor vehicle records, he concluded that per mile driven, taxicab drivers are safer by one third over the typical motor vehicle driver. While this is good news for taxicab hailers, it doesn’t help those who have been injured by the negligence of a cab driver.
A Recent Crash:
A female passenger in a taxicab tragically died Saturday, December, 28, 2019, when the cab she was in crashed into an Los Angeles Fire Department ambulance. The accident happened in the 13200 block of West Jefferson Boulevard, when the cab ran into the ambulance after entering the intersection.
Firefighters immediately provided the woman with life-saving measures, but unfortunately, the accident victim succumbed to her injuries. Two other occupants of the ambulance were taken to a local hospital for treatment. According to fire department officials, the ambulance was responding to a call and had its lights and siren on when the collision occurred.
Liability for Taxicab Drivers:
Though an accident where a taxicab driver is at fault happens less often than accidents where a typical driver is at fault, when it does, there are some issues regarding liability. A cab driver is held to a standard that looks at what other reasonably prudent cab drivers would do under the same circumstances.
This means that a cab driver is required to operate their cab reasonably safe so that their passengers and others around them can proceed in safety. When they fail to live up to that standard and doing so causes an accident, then they can be held liable for their actions.
Taxicab Insurance Policies and Problems:
The law allows the injured person to be compensated for all their injuries and financial losses attributed to the accident. These are broken into economic and non-economic damages, which are economic damages, such as medical bills, and non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering.
California requires taxicab drivers to have a $1 million total liability insurance policy. But don't expect the insurance company to take care of you in your time of need. If you're injured, an insurer may try to delay or deny your injury claim. Always speak to a reputable accident attorney before speaking to an insurer.
Wrongful Death Claims:
If a loved one is killed in an accident, insurers will probably never inform you of a wrongful death claim. These claims allow loved ones to be compensated for the death of a loved one killed in a crash. While no dollar amount can help after a devastating crash, the ability to fully grieve after the loss of a loved one is contingent upon closure. You can read more about wrongful death claims here.
Contact an Experienced Injury Lawyer Today:
After any crash involving a serious injury or a death, talk to a Los Angeles Car Accident Lawyer who understands the law and has experience getting injured victims the compensation they deserve.
