New York Personal Injury Lawyers / Brooklyn Taxi Accident Lawyers

Brooklyn Taxi Accident Attorney

The New York City metropolitan area sees many visitors every year. Many of these visitors fly in from all over the world. They often do not want to rent a car and deal with the high costs and nuisance of parking. Many residents avoid owning cars, too. Often, it’s simply too expensive.

That’s why there are so many taxis in and around Brooklyn. And just like regular vehicles, taxis get into car accidents, too.

If you or a loved one has suffered injuries while riding in a cab or if a cab hit you, you need a Brooklyn taxi lawyer who can help you collect every dollar you deserve. Collecting compensation is not as simple as saying the other person is at fault, especially when a taxi is involved.

Work with the Brooklyn taxi accident lawyers at Jacoby & Meyers, LLP. Our lawyers have gone down this road before, successfully helping taxi accident victims like you. Call us to see what we can do for you.

“I highly recommend this law firm, very responsible and keep [on] top of your case.”
-La G.P. 
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Common Causes of Brooklyn Taxi Accidents

There are nearly 14,000 fully licensed taxis in New York City. Just like car accidents, human error is the most common cause of taxi accidents.

Frequent scenarios include:

• Aggressive driving;
• Speeding;
• Running red lights or stop signs;
• Failure to yield;
• Texting while driving;
• Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol;
• Eating while driving;
• Drowsy driving;
• Poor maintenance; and
• Mechanical failure.

Taxis are commercial vehicles and, unlike your family car, drivers push taxis to the limits. Most days, they may stop only to fill up the gas tank or receive maintenance. An idle taxi is not making money.

When a cab comes off the road, the taxi company and driver may take a financial hit. There is pressure to get the car back on the road as quickly as possible. The maintenance technician may rush to complete any repairs needed and may improperly fix the vehicle, sending it back on the road in a dangerous state.

That’s what makes taxi accidents so complex. Multiple parties could cause the accident in which you suffered injuries.

These could include:

• The cab driver;
• A maintenance technician;
• A maintenance company; or
• The cab owner.

Often the cab driver is not the owner of the vehicle. In these situations, you may file a claim against both the driver and the taxi owner. The only way to know for sure is to speak with a trusted Brooklyn taxi accident attorney as soon as possible after your accident.

Common Injuries in Brooklyn Taxi Accidents

One problem with taxi accidents is that most passengers do not wear seat belts. New York City does have a law that passengers over 16 riding in the back seat of a cab must wear a seat belt. Even given that law, many people choose to forego the seatbelt, usually because they’re only going a short distance and not traveling at high speeds.

Injuries you may suffer after a taxi accident include:

• Cuts;
• Scrapes;
• Broken bones;
• Concussions;
• Other traumatic brain injuries;
• Spinal cord injuries;
• Whiplash;
• Internal organ damage;
• Paralysis; and
• Amputation.

Do not think for a second that if you were in a slow-moving accident that you can walk away with no injuries. Often, those are the injuries that persist. You think you are completely fine and there is no way you could have suffered injuries after such a slow accident. Unfortunately, every accident, even accidents at slow speeds, can cause serious and life-altering injuries.

And even minor injuries can lead to high medical bills. A quick inspection by emergency medical personnel at the accident scene can run you thousands of dollars in medical expenses. Your insurance may not cover any of that cost. But you should not be on the hook for that cost, either. The at-fault party in your taxi accident should bear sole responsibility.

Your lawyer can help you hold the negligent person liable for your taxi accident and injuries. By taking this step, you give yourself the best chance of collecting maximum compensation so you do not pay a penny out of your own pocket for medical expenses and financial losses related to your taxi accident.

Getting Compensation for Your Brooklyn Taxi Accident

To get compensation, you need to file a Brooklyn taxi accident claim for damages against the at-fault party, something the Brooklyn taxi accident lawyers at Jacoby & Meyers, LLP can do for you.

Depending on the circumstances of your taxi accident, you may not know who the at-fault party is, especially if someone other than your cab driver caused your accident. This is why you need to partner with one of Jacoby & Meyers, LLP’s skilled taxi accident lawyer in Brooklyn who can help you determine who caused your accident. With the help of trusted accident re-creation experts, your legal representative can accurately determine what caused your accident and work to hold them accountable.

Your lawyer may try to get you compensation for:

• Pain and suffering;
• Emotional distress;
• Lost wages;
• Lost earning potential;
• Loss of companionship;
• Loss of life enjoyment;
• Present and future medical bills; and
• Rehabilitation costs.

Depending on the severity of your injuries, you may not return to work right away, or at all. This impacts your ability to earn a living and provide for your family. These are financial burdens you may not have thought of without the help of your lawyer.

Without the aid of a trusted legal advisor, you certainly would not know how much money you need to collect to ensure you do not pay a dime of your own money to cover your medical bills or financial losses. A Brooklyn taxi accident lawyers at Jacoby & Meyers, LLP can work with you to help create an accurate estimate of your future medical needs. You need to understand how much your medical bills will be and how long you will be out of work so your lawyer can aggressively fight to get you every dollar you deserve.

Think about all of the hardships you may face, such as:

• Multiple surgeries;
• Extended hospital stays;
• Time out of work;
• In-facility rehabilitation;
• In-home care;
• Ongoing medical needs; and
• Costly prescriptions.

Each of these hurdles on your path to recovery either cost money or disrupt your ability to make money. When that happens, you need to have an aggressive and experienced Brooklyn taxi accident attorney fighting to protect your rights and help you collect maximum compensation. The last thing you want is to end up paying out of pocket or suffering financial hardship because of an accident you played no part causing.

Common questions regarding Taxi accidents in Brooklyn

The taxi accident attorneys at Jacoby & Meyers, LLP may help if you were hurt in a Brooklyn taxi crash.

We offer free initial consultations. That means that you can speak with a qualified taxi accident attorney about your case and get an evaluation about your options for recourse, free of charge. Our lawyers are prepared to answer your questions and help you understand your rights.

Reach out to us today to be connected with a legal professional who can help with your case. Jacoby & Meyers, LLP is proud to work alongside our clients to pursue justice. We don’t charge fees unless your case wins or settles.

Read on for answers to some of the most frequently asked questions we receive about Brooklyn taxi crashes

I was driving a taxi in Brooklyn and got into an accident because of another driver. Can I still sue?

Perhaps. While taxi drivers have the same rights to seek compensation as other drivers on the road, as a taxi driver, your damages in an accident might be covered by workers’ compensation. That said, workers’ compensation does not always cover the full extent of damages a victim suffers. If you were driving a taxi and were injured in an accident due to someone else’s negligence or recklessness, and workers’ compensation is insufficient to cover your damages, you could be eligible to sue liable parties.

Why are taxis so dangerous in Brooklyn?

Brooklyn traffic can be insane, to put it lightly. In such conditions, accidents are more likely, Additionally, rear-seat taxi passengers are not required to wear seatbelts– this may present an obvious danger in the event of an accident. Taxis also have partitions that separate the front and back of the vehicle. If a crash occurs, passengers can easily be injured by the partition.

How can I protect my rights after a Brooklyn taxi accident?

The best way to protect your rights after a Brooklyn taxi accident is to work with a professional legal advocate. You may partner with a lawyer regardless of whether you were a taxi driver, passenger, pedestrian, or someone in another vehicle during an accident. A Brooklyn taxi accident lawyer will help protect your rights.

It’s important to choose an attorney who has a thorough understanding of the applicable rules, laws, and politics of Brooklyn. The right lawyer will know how to deal with local interests as they relate to your case. They’ll use evidence to help support your story and they’ll prioritize your best interests.

What are some common causes of Brooklyn taxi accidents?

Brooklyn taxi accidents can occur for a wide variety of reasons, but typically for the same reasons as other car accidents.

Some of these include:

• Distracted driving
• Driving under the influence
• Aggressive driving
• Inclement weather or road conditions
• Road hazards

What kinds of Brooklyn taxi accidents can a lawyer help with?

Brooklyn taxi accident attorneys may litigate an array of kinds of cases.

Some examples of common claims include those where the plaintiff was injured when:

• Hit or run over by a taxi
• In a taxi at the time of an accident
• Riding in the taxi when the taxi struck someone else
• A taxi passenger who was dropped off in an unsafe location

Who can be held liable for a Brooklyn taxi accident?

You can pursue several parties for a Brooklyn taxi accident. One of the most obvious is the taxi cab driver. A taxi driver who causes an accident can face liability for the accident by a court or through settlement.

Other potentially liable parties include:

• Taxi companies: Taxi drivers aren’t the only ones who can be held responsible for an accident; taxi companies have a responsibility to hire competent drivers and provide safe vehicles. If a taxi company is negligent in their hiring or in supervising or monitoring their drivers, they can be held responsible for an accident.
• Taxi manufacturers: Some taxi accidents take place because of defective or dangerous taxi parts. If a taxi malfunctions or has some other problem that causes an accident, the manufacturer may be found liable after the crash.
• Other motorists, bicyclists, etc.: Just about anyone can cause a taxi accident– that includes other drivers, bicyclists, pedestrians, and so on. You may find that one of these parties is responsible for your injuries rather than the taxi driver themself.
• Government agencies: New York City has a responsibility to ensure its roads are safe for everyone; if a taxi accident occurs because of hazardous or otherwise unsafe road conditions, a government agency could be found liable for the crash

What insurance coverage is available after a Brooklyn taxi accident?

New York City is home to more than 13,500 yellow taxi cabs. These cabs provide transportation between the five boroughs. Rideshare services have shifted the landscape for taxis, but they’re still very common within Brooklyn and New York City.

Here in New York, yellow taxis are licensed by the Taxi & Limousine Commission (or TLC), which requires taxis to carry minimum insurance coverage to maintain licensing.

Coverage minimums include:

• $100,000 per person/$300,000 per accident
• $200,000 personal injury protection
• $10,000 property damage liability

If you have questions about how insurance works after a Brooklyn taxi accident, you aren’t alone. It is a great idea to contact a Brooklyn taxi accident lawyer for more information about how insurance could impact your taxi accident case.

What steps should I take after a Brooklyn taxi accident?

There are several steps Brooklyn taxi accident survivors can take to help protect their physical and legal wellbeing. The first thing that you should do in a taxi accident is ensuring your own physical safety. If your head, back, or neck hurt badly, don’t move– call for help.

Seek medical attention even if you do not feel hurt–you want to ensure that you are not suffering any injuries with latent symptoms. Move away from any potential danger at the scene of the accident. Help make sure other people involved in the crash are safe, too.

After you’ve ensured safety, there are some measures you should keep in mind, as they may help in establishing any claim for compensation you may later bring.

• Call 911: The dispatcher will send out police and, if necessary, emergency medical services
• Document evidence: Take photos and videos of your injuries and the crash scene; write down details about the accident
• File an accident report: The police who respond to your accident will create an accident report
• Collect information about the cab and driver: This includes the cab driver’s name, the taxi registration number, and contact information for the taxi company
• Talk to witnesses: It’s not your job to interview witnesses, but, if you can, you should get their contact information for future reference
• Seek medical attention: You should schedule a visit with your primary care physician after your accident– even if you were seen at the hospital. Your doctor needs to stay up to date on your condition
• Contact a reputable taxi accident lawyer: The sooner you choose and partner with a lawyer, the sooner you can begin to pursue compensation for your accident

What injuries are common after taxi accidents for which I can recover compensation?

Taxi accidents can cause a range of injuries. Even if you believe your injuries are minor, you still should seek medical and legal help for whatever you have suffered.

Some examples of common injuries caused by taxi accidents for which victims may seek compensation include:

• Burns
• Broken bones
• Eye injuries
• Face injuries
• Brain injuries
• Head injuries
• Neck injuries
• Back injuries
• Internal injuries

My loved one died in a Brooklyn taxi accident; can I sue?

If your spouse or a close relative died in a Brooklyn taxi accident, you may be eligible to bring a case on their behalf. Most taxi accident lawyers also help clients with wrongful death claims. This is the type of claim you’d bring in the event your loved one was killed in a taxi accident.

What damages can be recovered after a taxi accident?

The exact damages someone is eligible to collect after their accident is inestimable. Every taxi accident is unique, so every claim for damages is unique too.

However, if you were hurt in a taxi accident, you may recover compensation for:

• Medical bills
• Pain and suffering
• Mental anguish
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Lost wages
• Diminished earning capacity
• Disfigurement
• Disability

How long do I have to file a taxi accident lawsuit in Brooklyn?

Every state has a “statute of limitations,” which dictates how long accident survivors have to bring a case. The statute of limitations is, essentially, a time limit for filing a lawsuit.

New York’s statute of limitations generally allows all car accident survivors three years from the date of their accident to bring a claim. There are a few exceptions. If you have questions about the potential timeline of your case or New York’s statute of limitations, an experienced taxi accident lawyer can help. If your crash involved a government entity, you usually only have 90 days from the date of your taxi crash to bring a claim

Do I need to hire a lawyer after a Brooklyn taxi accident?

If you work with an experienced Brooklyn taxi accident lawyer, you generally increase the chances your case will succeed.

People are allowed to bring claims on their own. The problem is that most people don’t have the legal experience and knowledge to do so successfully. The average taxi accident survivor faces a total disadvantage if they face a taxi company or its insurance entity alone.

This is where a taxi accident lawyer comes into play. Taxi accident lawyers help their clients pursue compensation– and they’re focused on achieving results. You’ll be well-served by working with a taxi accident attorney if you’ve been hurt in a crash.

Will my Brooklyn taxi accident case go to court?

Probably not. Most taxi accident cases settle before they ever reach court. Nonetheless, when hiring an attorney, you should note who among your potential options has courtroom experience. Some taxi accident cases do go to trial; when you do, you want a capable attorney at your side.

How long will my Brooklyn taxi accident case take?

Nobody can say for sure. Some Brooklyn taxi accident cases settle relatively quickly. Other cases take years to finish. You should expect your case to take at least a few months.

Should I accept an insurance settlement after a Brooklyn taxi accident?

Generally, no. Insurance companies’ first settlement offers are rarely fair. You will likely lose out on compensation if you agree to an insurance company’s first offer.

The best step to take is to work with an attorney who can help you protect your rights and build a strong case. Then, you can pursue compensation for all of the damages you faced due to your accident. You don’t need to accept a low offer from an insurance company.

How will my Brooklyn taxi accident lawyer help me?

Taxi accident attorneys help their clients in lots of ways. An experienced Brooklyn accident attorney can both ensure you timely and properly file a lawsuit and help you determine other issues you are facing, such as handling medical bills.

The right taxi accident lawyer will be dedicated to pursuing justice for their clients, using many different resources and means.

An experienced taxi crash attorney’s approach to your case will likely involve:

• Evidence preservation and investigation
• Investigation into prior accidents involving the same taxi company or driver
• Partnership with accident reconstructionists
• Holding cab and insurance companies accountable

If your case needs to go to trial, you may well be best off hiring an experienced Brooklyn taxi accident attorney. Whether a taxi accident case settles before court or goes to a final hearing, you can put yourself ahead by immediately hiring a Brooklyn taxi cab injury attorney to assist you.

The Unscrupulous Settlement Tactics of Brooklyn Taxi Companies

Part of the Brooklyn taxi accident claims process involves settlement negotiations. Settlement negotiations are a time for each party to lay out their case and make their arguments for their side. This is also why you must work with your lawyer to understand the full value of your claim so that you do not settle for vastly less than you deserve.

But not all insurance companies play fair. Insurance companies know that you may be out of work and you have medical bills piling up. They know that you want to put this terrible experience behind you. And they know you want to get back to your regular life as quickly as possible. Unfortunately, many insurance companies will use this knowledge to prey on you and try to get you to settle for much less than what your claim is worth.

One way they try to do this is by calling you as soon as they can after your taxi accident. They make you an offer and tell you that it’s only good for a short period. They do not want you to have a lawyer review it because any competent lawyer will see very quickly that the insurance company is offering way too little. The insurance company will pressure you to take the settlement offer. But think about why they want you to take this initial offer so badly. It’s because this offer is in their best interest, not yours.

A lawyer can help you figure out just how much more money you would need to collect to cover your medical bills and financial losses. Your lawyer will also tell you that if you sign the settlement offer, you will waive your right to bring any future claims against the insurance company for this accident. That means, months or years later if the settlement funds have run dry but you still have expenses related to this accident, you will be out of luck. You may need to pay out of pocket for your medical expenses and eat the financial losses.

Unfortunately, this happens to taxi accident victims all the time. Do not let this happen to you. To avoid this tragic situation, work with a knowledgeable taxi accident lawyer in Brooklyn who knows the games the insurance companies play and who is not afraid to stand up to them to help you collect maximum compensation.

Do Not Delay

In New York, you only have three years from the date of your accident to file a Brooklyn taxi accident claim. That may seem like a long time, but it will go by quickly.

Depending on the severity of your injuries, you may spend all of that time working on your recovery and out of work. Even if you have minor injuries, you may get better and simply move on with your life. But you have suffered because of someone else’s negligence and you deserve to hold them accountable.

If you do not file your initial Brooklyn taxi accident claim within this strict window, you cannot collect any compensation from the at-fault party. This could mean that you never get full compensation for your time out of work and all the pain and suffering you had to endure.

Working with the skilled Brooklyn taxi accident lawyers at Jacoby & Meyers, LLP, you can meet this deadline and ensure your case has its day in court, if necessary, to recover the compensation you deserve. You get the added benefit of passing the pressure and stress of your legal claim on to your lawyer. While your lawyer deals with the legal complexities and settlement negotiations, you can focus all of your effort and energy on your health and well being. When you do that, you can recover faster and get back to your regular life sooner.

Delay may deprive your lawyer of the time necessary to fully investigate your taxi accident, speak with witnesses, and work with medical experts. Delaying only hinders your ability to recover full and fair compensation after your taxi accident.

Speak With Our Brooklyn Taxi Accident Lawyers Today

Your ability to recover compensation after your taxi accident can depend on the lawyer you choose and when you make that call. You deserve a lawyer at your side who has the experience and skill to help you navigate the complex waters of a Brooklyn taxi accident claim.

You also need a lawyer who can take your case to trial, if that’s what is required to maximize your compensation. While most personal injury claims settle out of court, sometimes insurance companies refuse to be reasonable and will not settle your case for a fair amount.

When that happens, you want a lawyer who is not going to trial for the first time. You also want your lawyer to start preparing for trial as soon as they take your case. On the off-chance your Brooklyn taxi accident claim does need to go to trial, you do not want your lawyer having to scramble to get everything ready. You want them to seamlessly move from settlement negotiations into trial without any further delay.

If you or a loved one has suffered injuries while riding in a taxi, speak with a Brooklyn taxi accident lawyer at Jacoby & Meyers, LLP as soon as possible after your accident. Call us at (877) 565-2993, write us through our online contact page, or start a live webchat with one of our representatives at any time of the day or night.

Brooklyn Office

1711 Kings Highway
Brooklyn, NY 11229
1-877-488-1707

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