Florida Taxi Accident Attorneys
When you take a taxi, you’re putting your life in someone else’s hands for a while. You expect that a licensed and insured taxi driver will take care to provide for your safety during your ride. Sometimes, however, taxi drivers either choose not to drive carefully or are unable to avoid a crash caused by another driver, leaving you with serious injuries. Let the Florida taxi accident attorneys at Meldon Law take on the fight with insurers and negligent drivers so that you can focus on getting your life back to normal.
Getting justice for victims of Florida taxi accidents
Victims of Florida taxi accidents may have a right to receive money damages from the taxi cab company, from the other driver involved in the accident, or both. These claims aren’t always straightforward and may require that multiple claims be filed, with separate proof of negligence for each driver responsible for causing your crash.
That’s where we come in. At the Florida offices of the injury attorneys at Meldon Law, we’ve been fighting for justice on behalf of accident victims for decades. We understand the stress that you’re facing after a taxicab accident, and we’re ready to help.
You may be wondering, “Will anyone help me pay these medical bills?” or, “How am I going to afford the rehab I’m going to need?” or, “Is this insurance company ever going to take me seriously?” These are the questions we’ve built our careers on helping our clients answer.
Why do taxicab accidents happen?
Taxicab drivers must meet certain standards to remain on the road. Florida law requires them to carry certain minimum amounts of insurance and keep their vehicles well-maintained if they wish to retain their license to operate. That said, taxi drivers make more money the more customers they pick up, which can lead some taxi drivers to speed through town aggressively. It can also lead some drivers to remain on the road for long stretches of time. Cab drivers may forego sleep in order to pick up more fares, even if they’re dangerously drowsy.
Common reasons for Florida taxi accidents include:
- Distracted driving
- Aggressive driving
- Drowsy driving
- Speeding
- Dangerous maneuvers and reckless driving
- Poor maintenance of the vehicle
- Driving under the influence of substances
What makes claims based on taxi accident injuries complex?
Taxi accident injuries can occur either because the victim was in another vehicle that was involved in a crash with a taxicab, or the victim was a passenger in a taxi that was involved in a crash. These two types of accidents will involve very different types of claims. In an accident where the victim is another driver and it is clear that the taxi driver was at fault, proving the legal responsibility of the taxi driver is similar to proving liability in a typical car accident.
However, when an accident involves the taxi driver and another car while the victim is a passenger, these claims can become more complex. It can require a more involved investigation to prove liability when the victim was not a first-hand witness to the crash. Additionally, if both drivers were partially responsible, the victim might need to file claims against both parties, resulting in even more work for victims. Unlike accidents between two non-commercial cars in Florida, taxicabs are not subject to Florida’s no-fault rules. This means that victims of taxicab accidents can file a claim against negligent taxi drivers in court, rather than be limited to recovering only under an insurance policy. For this reason, many victims of taxi accidents hire an attorney to handle these claims.
What should I expect when I file a claim for damages after a taxi accident?
When you hire an attorney to handle your Florida taxi accident claim, you’re putting these questions of who is responsible and how victims can prove responsibility into the hands of a professional. Your attorney will handle your claim for damages from start to finish. Once your claim is filed, your attorney will handle all negotiations with insurance adjusters. Investigators hired by your attorney will collect evidence from the scene of the accident, including any potential surveillance footage and witness statements. Your attorney will look at evidence such as the driver’s safety record prior to the crash to examine whether the driver was safe enough to be on the road as a professional driver. Your attorney will also speak with medical experts who can testify to your current and predicted future medical issues or long-term disabilities resulting from the crash so that a settlement demand will provide sufficient compensation to ensure your needs will be met. If a settlement is impossible, your attorney will prepare for trial and fight for your right to compensation in court.
Meldon Law Fights for You. Speak with a Florida Taxi Accident Attorney
If you need seasoned, compassionate, and tenacious legal help after a Florida taxi accident, contact the offices of Meldon Law for a free evaluation of your claims.
