Being involved in a car accident through no fault of your own is already a difficult situation, but recovering compensation for your injuries may be more complicated when you were involved in an accident when riding in a taxi. How exactly does liability work in taxi accidents in Florida?
Who Can Be Held Liable for a Taxi Accident in Florida?
Florida is a “no-fault” state when it comes to car accidents. Drivers in Florida are required to carry at least $10,000 in personal injury protection (PIP) coverage. These benefits can help pay for medical bills and cover lost wages if you miss time from work. PIP coverage is available if you are injured in an accident while driving a vehicle or if you were riding in a vehicle that was involved in an accident. PIP coverage is called “no-fault” insurance because it is paid regardless of who was at fault for an accident. It is also considered primary insurance, which means that if you have an auto insurance policy in Florida and are injured while riding in a taxi, you may be required to first look to your own insurance company for coverage of your medical bills and related losses.
Once your PIP coverage is exhausted, you may be entitled to seek reimbursement of your remaining financial expenses from the accident. However, you may not be able to recover compensation for non-financial losses that you’ve incurred, such as pain and suffering, unless you’ve sustained a qualifying injury.
Fortunately, taxicabs are exempt from Florida’s no-fault insurance law. If you are injured in a taxi accident in Florida, you may be entitled to seek full compensation directly from the driver(s) or other parties responsible for the crash. This may include the taxi driver, or another driver if your taxi was hit by another vehicle.
When Can the Taxi Driver or Company Be Held Liable?
Taxi drivers and taxicab companies are required by Florida law to carry liability insurance that meets minimum coverage requirements, including:
- $125,000 per person, $250,000 per accident of bodily injury liability coverage
- $50,000 of property damage liability coverage
- $300,000 of corporate liability coverage
When a taxi driver causes an accident that injures you, you may be entitled to hold the driver and their employer liable for your injuries and recover compensation against their insurance policy. If the taxi driver or taxi company does not have the required insurance, they are still liable to compensate you, but you would need to pursue financial recovery against the driver’s or company’s assets (such as bank accounts, vehicles, buildings, etc.). This makes it critical to work with an experienced attorney to ensure you make a full financial recovery.
Damages You Can Recover in a Taxicab Accident
After a taxi accident, you may be entitled to recover compensation for expenses and losses such as:
- Medical expenses
- Costs of long-term care of permanent disabilities or impairments
- Past, ongoing, and future losses of income
- Pain and suffering
- Reduced enjoyment and quality of life
Contact a Lake Worth Personal Injury Lawyer to Discuss Your Taxicab Accident Case in Florida
Did you or a loved one sustain serious injuries due to a taxicab accident in Florida? Don’t let the medical bills pile up while you wait for the negligent party or their insurance company to do the right thing. Right now, you need an aggressive personal injury attorney on your side, fighting to get you the compensation you need, want, and deserve. The skilled attorneys at Gonzalez & Cartwright, P.A. represent clients injured because of taxicab accidents in Miramar, Coral Springs, Davie, Boca Raton, and throughout Florida. Call (561) 533-0345 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free consultation about your case. We have an office conveniently located at 813 Lucerne Ave., Lake Worth, FL 33460, as well as offices in Pompano Beach.
The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.