Brooklyn Taxi Accident Lawyers
In New York City, taxis serve a valuable function for passengers who prefer to avoid the stress of traffic congestion, parking, or the expenses of owning a vehicle. Taxis also provide safe transportation following a night out on the town.
Taxi accidents can seriously affect passengers, pedestrians, cyclists, or motorists. Taxi drivers are compensated by the distance they travel rather than time spent behind the wheel, which can often cause drivers to drive recklessly to pick up more fares, and taxi accidents are a daily occurrence. Reports and a New York Times study reveal the following taxi statistics:
- New York City has more than 50,000 yellow taxi drivers.
- Each day, there are approximately 485,000 taxi trips, totaling 175 million annually.
- Taxis transport over 600,000 passengers per day and 236 million per year.
- In one year, one taxi accumulates enough mileage to travel around the world 2.8 times.
- Taxis have a 4.6 accident rate per million miles
- The average monthly accident rate is roughly 46 collisions per day, or roughly two accidents per hour.
- Passengers are twice as likely to suffer serious injuries in taxi accidents than in passenger vehicle accidents.
- Many taxi accident injuries are caused by the partition between the front and rear seats during crashes or sudden stops.
- New York City residents who take an average of 100 taxi rides annually have a 0.4 percent chance of being injured in a crash over 10 years.
- Cyclists are twice as likely to collide with a taxi than any other vehicle.
If you are injured in a taxi accident, you need an experienced and dedicated legal team. For over 50 years, our Brooklyn taxi accident lawyers at Rubenstein & Rynecki have helped injured clients seek justice and compensation, recovering hundreds of millions of dollars for their injuries and losses.
How Are Taxis Regulated in Brooklyn?
Nearly 13,000 yellow medallion taxis are owned by private companies and licensed by the NYC Taxi & Limousine Commission (TLC), an arm of the city government. The commission requires all taxis to undergo a thorough inspection three times per year to ensure safety features are functioning properly and to detect leaks, malfunctions, or maintenance irregularities. Additionally, the TLC also requires taxis to carry minimum insurance coverage, as follows:
- $100,000 per person or $300,000 per accident
- $200,000 personal injury protection
- $10,000 in property damage liability
What Are the Common Causes of Taxi Accidents in Brooklyn?
In New York, anyone age 19 or older can obtain a taxi operator’s license after completing basic driver training courses and a written test, meaning drivers can be young, inexperienced, and prone to errors. Other common causes of taxi accidents include:
- Distracted driving: Taxi drivers can cause accidents if distracted by text messages, dispatch calls, conversations with passengers, or other activities that divert their attention from driving.
- Reckless driving: Aggressive driving behaviors, such as speeding, running red lights, cutting other drivers off, or tailgating, increase the risk of accidents.
- Drowsy driving: Driving while sleep-deprived causes the same neurological impairments as drunk driving and can lead to disastrous accidents.
- Drunk or drugged driving: Taxi drivers under the influence of drugs or alcohol are dangerously impaired and risk everyone’s safety.
- Failure to yield: Taxi drivers who fail to yield the right-of-way at intersections or while changing lanes increase the likelihood of accidents.
- Poor vehicle maintenance: Poorly maintained vehicles can cause accidents even with the safest taxi driver.
What Types of Injuries Are Common in Taxi Accidents?
Injuries from taxi accidents can range from mild to severe and occur from outside forces or items inside the vehicle. Common injuries include:
- Back and spinal cord injuries
- Broken bones and fractures
- Cuts and lacerations
- Crushed or severed limbs
- Death
- Head injuries
- Nerve damage
- Organ damage
- Strains and sprains
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Whiplash
Who Is Responsible for Taxi Accidents?
Taxi accidents can be complex, especially when multiple parties may be liable, such as:
- Taxi driver: Independent drivers can be liable if they are speeding, distracted, or drunk driving.
- Taxi company: The company can be responsible for its drivers’ actions or for failing to properly maintain the taxi.
- Taxi owner: An independent taxi owner could be liable if they fail to properly maintain the vehicle or knowingly allow another driver to operate it.
- Taxi mechanic: A mechanic or repair shop may be responsible for improperly inspecting or repairing a taxi.
- Government entity: If poorly maintained roads caused the accident, the government entity responsible for road repair may be liable.
What Compensation Can I Seek for My Taxi Accident Injuries?
Compensation is determined by the circumstances of the accident and severity of injuries and is based on a combination of economic and non-economic damages, including but not limited to:
- Current and future medical expenses
- Lost wages and future earning capacity
- Emotional distress
- Funeral and burial costs
- Loss of life enjoyment
- Pain and suffering
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Wrongful death
Does New York Have a Time Limit for Filing a Taxi Accident Claim?
In New York, the statute of limitations for filing a personal injury claim is three years from the accident date or two years from the date of death.
What Should I Do If I Am in a Taxi Accident in Brooklyn?
Gathering evidence during the accident can be crucial to your claim. If you are physically able following an accident, you should take the following steps:
- Report the accident and injuries to the police.
- Take photos of the scene, including damage, road and weather conditions, signage, obstructions, and other contributing factors.
- Exchange contact and insurance information with the cab driver but minimize further conversation or arguments. What you say can be used against you later.
- Gather contact information and statements from any witnesses.
- Seek medical attention as soon as possible. A medical report is necessary for your claim, and some internal injuries have delayed symptoms that can be life-threatening if left untreated.
- Keep all records relating to the accident and your injuries, such as medical bills, records, and correspondence from insurance companies.
- Consult an experienced and knowledgeable Brooklyn taxi accident lawyer with a successful track record of securing compensation for clients.
Why Choose Rubenstein & Rynecki for Your Brooklyn Taxi Accident Case
Following a taxi accident, you should be focused on your recovery, not fighting with insurance companies. Working with our Brooklyn taxi accident lawyers provides peace of mind that your claim will be handled properly, your rights will be protected, and we will seek maximum compensation on your behalf.
Our dedicated and skilled Brooklyn taxi accident lawyers at Rubenstein & Rynecki team will investigate the accident, work with your medical team to establish your ongoing healthcare needs, interview responding police officers and witnesses, hire experts, and represent you in court if the case goes to trial.
For over 50 years, Rubenstein & Rynecki has represented Brooklyn residents, earning a reputation for recovering hundreds of millions of dollars in compensation for our clients.
Our Brooklyn Taxi Accident Lawyers at Rubenstein & Rynecki Represent Clients Injured in Taxicab Collisions
Traveling by taxi is a common daily occurrence in New York, as are accidents involving taxis. If you were injured in a taxi accident, our experienced Brooklyn taxi accident lawyers at Rubenstein & Rynecki can help you fight for the compensation you deserve. Call today at 718-522-1020 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation. Located in Brooklyn, we serve clients throughout New York City, including The Bronx, Manhattan, Queens, and Staten Island.
