Florida Taxicab Crash Attorneys Representing Injured Clients in Taxi Accidents
Most individuals who use taxi services do so with the expectation that they will be transported to their destinations safely and without incident. However, taxi drivers are involved in motor vehicle accidents just as commonly as drivers of private vehicles, and the injuries that can result are the same. The primary difference, of course, is that it can be difficult to know who is responsible for the resulting expenses that a taxicab accident injury is likely to generate. If you were injured in a taxi accident that occurred because the driver was negligent, you may be entitled to receive compensation for your injuries. Our Florida taxi accident lawyers can help you get the compensation you deserve.
At Gonzalez & Cartwright, P.A., our Florida taxi accident lawyers can help you evaluate your case and explain the options that are available to help ensure that you are properly compensated for your injuries. Negotiating with the taxi driver’s insurance company or employer can be intimidating, and we are here to help level the playing field. In some cases, it can be unclear who is even liable for the damages—the driver, the insurance company, or the driver’s employer. Our attorneys have a combined 35 years of experience successfully advocating on our clients’ behalf in cases involving taxi accidents, and we will put our expertise to work for you to ensure that your rights are protected.
Taxi Driver Obligations in Florida
Florida is generally a no-fault state, which means that every driver is required to carry a minimum amount of personal injury protection (PIP) coverage. An injured party will typically turn to his or her own insurance carrier following a motor vehicle accident, regardless of who was at fault. The situation can be more complicated when a taxi is involved because the injured passenger was not actually driving the vehicle.
The state of Florida has recognized this potential issue and has therefore specifically excluded taxi drivers from the state’s no-fault rule. Because of this, if you were driving your car, and a taxi driver negligently caused an accident, you may be entitled to recover from the taxi driver’s insurance carrier, as well as from your own insurance carrier.
In general, all drivers owe other drivers and pedestrians a duty to exercise reasonable care while driving, which is defined as acting in the same manner in which a prudent person would behave under similar circumstances. However, taxi drivers, as common carriers, are actually required to adhere to a heightened standard of care when transporting passengers in order to avoid accidents.
Under Florida law, a taxi driver is also required to satisfy certain insurance coverage requirements, including:
- A bodily injury liability (BIL) insurance policy that provides coverage of at least $125,000 per person.
- BIL coverage of at least $250,000 per accident or occurrence.
- $50,000 in property damage liability (PDL) coverage.
This means that the most an injured party will be able to recover from the taxi driver’s insurance carrier is $125,000, even if his or her injuries were severe. In these cases, we may be able to pursue a lawsuit against the taxi company itself to ensure that you are appropriately compensated for your injuries.
The Attorneys at Gonzalez & Cartwright, P.A. Are Committed to Helping Clients Obtain Compensation for Taxi Accident Injuries
Our attorneys are available throughout Florida to advocate on your behalf both inside and outside the courtroom. As members of the local community, we pride ourselves in providing the highest-quality legal services while also taking a sincere interest in protecting our clients and our community. We can help you obtain compensation following a taxicab accident for:
- Medical expenses
- Emotional trauma
- Pain and suffering
- Long-term disability expenses
- Rehabilitation
- Costs to modify your home following a severe injury
We understand how intimidating it can be to negotiate with the insurance carrier, especially if they do not speak or understand the language that you are most comfortable speaking. At Gonzalez & Cartwright, P.A., we offer a safe, supportive environment, and we are dedicated to helping our clients obtain the compensation that is rightfully theirs in West Palm Beach taxi accident cases.
Schedule a Free Consultation with a Bilingual Taxi Accident Attorney to Discuss Your Case Today
Injuries sustained in a taxi accident can generate significant expenses, and we understand how difficult it can be to make ends meet when the insurance companies, taxi companies, and drivers may all be disclaiming responsibility. At Gonzalez & Cartwright, P.A., all of our Florida taxi accident lawyers speak both fluent English and fluent Spanish, so you can communicate in the manner in which you are most comfortable. Contact our offices at 561-898-0497, or toll-free at 888-888-3903, to schedule a free initial consultation to discuss your options following a taxi accident. For your convenience, you can also fill out this online form, and we will contact you directly. We have our main office located at 813 Lucerne Ave, Lake Worth, FL 33460, as well as an office in Pompano Beach, Florida.
Frequently Asked Questions About Florida Taxi Accidents
Florida is a comparative negligence state, which means that in a courtroom, the judge can reduce your compensation award in proportion to the degree to which your own actions were deemed to have caused the injury. If your injury was partially caused by you not wearing a seatbelt and partially caused by the driver’s negligence, you may still be able to recover damages.
We handle taxi accident cases throughout all of Florida including but not limited to:
-Palm Beach County Taxi Accidents
-Broward County Taxi Accidents
-Boynton Beach Taxi Accidents
-West Palm Beach Taxi Accidents
-Boca Raton Taxi Accidents
-Delray Beach Taxi Accidents
-Miramar Taxi Accidents
-Coral Springs Taxi Accidents
-Pompano Beach Taxi Accidents
-Lake Worth Taxi Accidents
-Fort Lauderdale Taxi Accidents
-Plantation Taxi Accidents
-Jupiter Taxi Accidents
-Hollywood Taxi Accidents
-Pembroke Pines Taxi Accidents
Taxi drivers are required to carry certain insurance liability policies, so they cannot legally be “self-insured.” However, taxi drivers are not required to carry the personal injury protection (PIP) coverage that other drivers in Florida must carry. The taxi driver’s bodily injury liability (BIL) coverage should apply instead. Our attorneys at Gonzalez & Cartwright, P.A. can help sort through the evidence to determine how to proceed if the taxi driver did not carry the required insurance coverage.