Being involved in an Atlanta taxi cab accident can be unnerving and stressful. Many times, taxi cab accident victims are in shock and unsure of how to best proceed after the accident. You must proceed with caution when discussing your taxi cab accident. Admitting fault can negatively affect any future liability claims. It is wise to secure skilled personal injury attorneys. Understanding the best steps to take as a passenger involved in a taxi cab accident may help you recover damages.
If you have suffered injuries as a result of your taxi cab accident, you may be entitled to compensation. The skilled personal injury attorneys at Cambre & Associates have successfully represented clients in personal injury claims against taxi cab drivers and their employers. Our Atlanta law office is easily accessible. Contact us to schedule your initial consultation today.
Step 1: Seek Medical Attention
The most crucial step to take after a taxi cab accident is to seek medical attention. After the accident occurs, check to see if you have any injuries. In many instances, the shock of the crash can suppress the full extent of your pain, so you may not realize the extent of your injuries right away.
If anyone in your taxi cab is injured and you can do so, call 911 for emergency help. If you think you may have suffered a head or spine injury, it is especially important to seek emergency help. Only trained medical professionals can adequately identify the signs of a concussion or spinal injury. If you, the taxi cab driver, or another passenger or passengers are seriously injured, do not attempt to move. Moving can exacerbate head and spinal cord injuries.
Step Two: Collect Any Available Evidence
If you suffered a severe injury as a passenger in a taxi cab, do not attempt to move. Those with serious injuries should wait for help to arrive. However, if you can do so, it is wise to collect evidence at the scene. Use your smartphone to take the relevant photos of the accident scene, such as:
- The position of the vehicles
- The location of the accident
- Damage to the taxicab and any other vehicles involved in the accident
- Any property damage that took place as a result of the crash
- Any conditions that may have caused the accident such as potholes, broken traffic lights, or blind spots
- If the taxi cab driver was eating or drinking, take a picture of any food in the driver’s area
- If the tax cab driver was engaged in any other negligent activity while driving, take a picture of any evidence related to his or her actions
It is also wise to write down the contact information of the following people:
- Any witnesses to the accident
- The taxi driver
- The name of the taxi company
- Any other drivers or pedestrians who were involved
Step Three: Maintain Records of All Relevant Information
Paperwork can pile up after an accident. Taxicab accidents can quickly become complicated. Not only are you dealing with possible other drivers and the taxi driver, but you are also dealing with the taxi cab company that employed your driver. Be sure to keep all information related to your accident in a safe place. You will probably need this information when submitting insurance claims. If you decide to file a personal injury lawsuit against the Atlanta taxicab company, relevant paperwork could become evidence.
Step Four: Contact an Attorney Before Speaking to Insurance Companies
After your taxi cab accident, you may feel pressure to recover compensation as quickly as possible. Your mounting medical bills and lost work time can create a tremendous financial burden. It is wise to speak to a skilled Atlanta personal injury attorney before giving a statement to insurance companies.
Insurance companies are focused on making a profit and attempt to pay out as little as possible. In the shock of your accident, you may give them a statement that inaccurately places fault on yourself. If you incriminate yourself in an insurance company statement, the insurance company may deny your claim based on your statement. At Cambre & Associates, our attorneys have experience working with insurance companies and negotiating to receive the best possible settlement amount on behalf of our clients.
Step Five: Seek Compensation From the Taxi Company
Atlanta taxicab drivers are required to carry corporate driver’s insurance. The state of Georgia requires taxicab drivers to carry the following minimum amounts of insurance:
- Bodily injury liability insurance of at least $25,000 per person
- Bodily injury liability insurance of at least $50,000 per accident
- Property damage liability insurance of at least $25,000 per accident
Unfortunately, the treatment for even moderate injuries often exceeds $25,000. The lifetime costs of treating severe injuries such as paralysis due to spinal cord injuries can exceed a million dollars. If the taxi driver’s insurance is not sufficient to cover the cost of your injuries, you may need to pursue other options.
When the taxicab driver’s insurance is not enough, injured passengers may be able to sue the taxicab company that employed the driver who caused the accident. To hold a taxi cab driver’s employer liable, the driver must have been an employee of the taxi cab company. If the driver is an employee, you may be able to sue the employer under the legal doctrine of vicarious liability.
If the driver is an independent contractor and not an employee, you cannot sue the employer per Georgia appellate court rulings. The experienced attorneys at Cambre & Associates can evaluate your case and help you decide the best way to proceed in seeking compensation.
At Cambre & Associates, We Fight for the Rights of Injured Taxicab Passengers
Our Atlanta taxicab accident lawyers can help you fight for compensation for your injuries. Successful plaintiffs in Georgia can recover compensation for economic and non-economic damages such as pain and suffering. Let us help you fight for your rights. Contact our Atlanta law office today to schedule your initial consultation.