San Diego Taxi Cab Accident Attorney

While taxis bring numerous advantages to our community, there are still certain risks associated with them, particularly in San Diego, where taxi accidents occur quite frequently. By California law, taxi drivers must exercise the highest level of care and caution when transporting passengers.

Did you get hurt in a taxi cab accident? Unlike regular car crashes, these accidents involve various parties, such as the taxi cab company, different insurance companies, other drivers, passengers, and the taxi driver. Any of these parties might have played a role in causing the accident, which is why it’s essential to hire a lawyer who specializes in investigating complex accidents.

If you’ve been injured in a taxi cab collision in San Diego, give us a call at Hamparyan Personal Injury Lawyers at (619) 550-1355, and we’ll guide you on how to recover compensation.

Negligent Cab Drivers in California

Carelessness in the taxi trade is uncommon. Since fares are based on distance and not time, some drivers might be tempted to speed and drive recklessly. It’s all because they can make more trips and earn more money if they get you to your destination right away.

This dangerous scenario is a leading cause of taxi accidents, and the drivers themselves are held accountable when their passengers get injured. If a driver is fatigued from working long shifts or fails to adhere to traffic rules and signs, they can still be considered liable for any accidents that arise. Additionally, if a driver is found to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol, they will face legal consequences in the event of an accident.

When a taxi isn’t kept in good condition, it also poses a danger to its passengers. For instance, if the brakes are worn out and urgently require replacement, the cab might fail to stop, potentially leading to a rear-end collision or any other kind of car accident. Cutting corners on maintenance expenses may seem cost-effective, but it can put both cab drivers and owners at risk of legal consequences, as well as needlessly endanger passengers.

Bad Standards Set by Taxi Companies

Did you know that becoming a taxi driver in California might not be as tough as you think? Taxi driving schooling is only 3 to 10 days long. That’s just 24 to 80 hours of training before a person qualifies as a “trained” taxi driver.

To put it into perspective, daycare workers are required to have 12 units of post-secondary training in early childhood education along with six months of experience. Just the education part alone adds up to about 432 hours of training, homework, and study. It’s completely disrespectful to taxi cab passengers how different safety requirements are.!

Although California does ask for a driving record from every taxi driver applicant, the standards set by taxi companies might not be crystal clear. That means it can be a bit tricky to determine just how well-trained a driver is.

In California, taxi drivers don’t need a special license, but some local areas might have specific driving requirements. Our team of taxi accident lawyers will carefully look into a driver’s past records to determine if the company hired someone who could be a risk. If negligent hiring is discovered, it may be possible to file a personal injury lawsuit against both the driver and the company after a serious taxi collision.

Other reasons for taxi accidents can include:

• Reckless driving
• Distractions while driving
• Driving under the influence
• Poorly designed roads
• Faulty seat belts

Finding Fault in San Diego Taxi Accidents

Taxis, just like cars and trucks, are driven by humans, making accidents inevitable. However, taxi drivers are expected to uphold an even higher level of care than the average person. Why? Because they are responsible for providing a safe transportation service from point A to point B.

In cases where even the slightest negligence is found on the part of your taxi driver, both the driver and the taxi company can be held financially responsible for any injuries you may have sustained. Recklessness, whether it’s on the part of the driver or the taxi company, can lead to serious accidents in San Diego. Let’s take a look at a few examples:

• The cab driver was speeding or driving recklessly.
• The taxicab was not properly maintained by either the driver or the company.
• The taxi driver was distracted.

Steps to Take After a Taxi Cab Accident

Right after being involved in a taxi cab accident, it’s important to prioritize your well-being. Make sure to promptly get any necessary medical attention, if required. Additionally, it is crucial to involve the police as soon as possible. By doing so, they can create an accurate report immediately after the incident, which will greatly benefit your case down the line, regardless of the circumstances.

Moreover, it’s essential to seek consistent treatment for any ongoing health issues resulting from the collision. Remember, if you delay seeking medical help, insurance companies might use it as evidence to question your entitlement to compensation. Even if symptoms don’t emerge until a week after the accident, it’s advised to promptly seek treatment to ensure your well-being.

Take care and act swiftly after a taxi cab accident. Your health and the strength of your claim are of utmost importance.

Finally, make sure to reach out to a San Diego taxi cab accident attorney right away, ideally before insurance companies start reaching out to you. You might hear from the taxi cab business’s insurance company, the individual driver, or even your own insurance.

Don’t talk to any of them until you’ve spoken to a lawyer. It’s against the law for insurance companies to talk to you once they know you have a lawyer. This rule is in place to make sure you don’t unintentionally harm your claim by saying something wrong. As experienced taxi accident lawyers, we have the knowledge and expertise to effectively stand up to insurance companies, taxi cab companies, and their legal representatives on your behalf.

Dealing with Insurance: Turning a Setback into Compensation

Accidents can have a lingering effect on our lives, but there’s always a way to bounce back. The key is to secure the compensation you deserve, ensuring your financial well-being remains intact, even during these unfortunate circumstances.

Usually, in most accidents, you exchange insurance details with the other party involved, determine the responsible party, and then the insurance companies step in to settle the claims. However, when it comes to taxis, things can be a bit different. Taxi companies often have powerful insurers who may go to great lengths to avoid paying out.

Taxi insurance companies may try to reach out to you to record your statement, hoping to manipulate you into saying something that would decrease the value of your claim. Don’t talk to them without first talking to an attorney. It’s crucial to hire a skilled San Diego attorney who specializes in taxi collision cases. Our team wil fight against the taxi company’s insurer on your behalf and protect you from falling into any traps that might lead you to say the wrong thing.

Types of Damages Available to Taxi Cab Accident Victims

We understand that serious injuries can have a devastating impact on your life. That’s why we believe you should be fully compensated for all the suffering you’ve endured.

In California, if you’re a victim of a taxi accident, you have the right to recover compensatory damages to cover both your economic and non-economic losses. This means you can receive compensation for both the financial damages you’ve suffered, like:

• Medical bills
• Lost wages
• Forthcoming medical expenses
• Loss of future income
• Rehabilitation costs
• Property damage

Non-economic damages are intended to make sure that the responsible parties are held accountable for the physical pain and emotional distress you have experienced. These damages cover a wide range of aspects, such as:

• Pain and suffering
• Mental anguish
• Scarring
• Disfigurement
• Anxiety
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Depression
• Reduced quality of life

If someone you care about perished in a taxi accident, there might be an opportunity for you to seek justice by filing a wrongful death lawsuit. This could potentially help cover funeral and burial expenses, as well as provide compensation for the emotional loss you have experienced.

Contact us

Whether you were a passenger in the taxi or the driver of another vehicle involved in the accident, we are here to assist you. At Hamparyan Personal Injury Lawyers San Diego, APC, our team is more than willing to address all of your concerns.

Call us at (619) 550-1355 and we will gladly arrange a free and relaxed consultation with a skilled San Diego taxi accident lawyer.