Have you recently been involved in a car accident involving a taxi? If so, your hands may feel tied at not knowing what to do. 

Surely, this is not a normal car accident since taxi cabs are technically business property, so you might be wondering what legal options you have. We are the legal experts at Frankl Kominsky Injury Lawyers and are here to help you if you are ever injured in a taxi-related accident. 

By the end of this article, you will know how to handle an accident regarding a taxicab and if you have the option to file a claim. 

Are Taxis A Part of The No-Fault Rule?

The no-fault rule in Florida states that all drivers involved in the accident are to share the blame and seek assistance from their own insurance companies. Residents in Florida are required to carry a minimum of $10,000 in no-fault car insurance, but does this apply to taxi cabs?

The answer is no, simply because they are responsible for a higher level of safety since they are carrying passengers in their car and operating as a transportation service. 

While taxis are not a part of the no-fault rule, you might be wondering what that means for you if you are involved in an accident. Firstly, you can still file a claim with your no-fault insurance to receive assistance for medical bills or file a claim with your collision coverage if you’re hit in your car by a taxi. 

Since taxis are not a part of normal driving rules for regular pedestrians in Florida, there are more legal options you have as far as filing a lawsuit against them if it is necessary. 

What To Do If You’re a Taxi Passenger

Taxi businesses are supposed to have personal injury protection and bodily injury liability in order to operate their business. If you are involved in an accident with a taxi as a passenger, your claim might be easier to file if you are able to witness the negligence either caused by the taxi driver or the other driver.

As a passenger, you can file a personal injury case against them for any injuries you sustain in the accident. While Florida’s no-fault rule is put in place to limit the number of lawsuits that are filed, taxis being exempt helps you out for opening up the ability to seek legal advice. 

What If a Taxi Hits Your Car? 

If you are driving and a taxi collides with your car, it could be harder to prove the other car’s negligence as it would in a regular car accident. 

Hiring a Pompano Beach Car Accident Lawyer to review your case and help frame the story of the negligence of the taxi driver can help you receive extra compensation. 

Being involved in a car accident can be a traumatic experience, and when you get into a transportation service such as a taxicab, you expect to feel safe and have the driver thoroughly watch the road. The same expectation applies if you are out driving your own car and are struck by a professional driver. If you experience severe damages, you have the right to sue.

How To File Against a Taxi Company

Filing a lawsuit against a taxi company can be a difficult process if you’re unfamiliar with the legal world, but hiring an experienced attorney in the Pompano Beach, Florida, area can help. 

There are several variables to consider before deciding to file a lawsuit against a taxi driver. The first is seeing how much your personal injury protection claim awards you or your collision coverage. If those claims do not cover all of your medical bills, make up for time off work, or don’t cover your car damages, filing a lawsuit can help make up for the difference. 

Your lawyer will likely advise you to file a personal injury lawsuit. Personal injury is a term that is used to describe the injuries or harm a person experiences as a result of someone else’s negligence. Since you suffered harm or injury from a taxi driver, you could file this claim. 

When you find the lawyer you want to work with, your lawyer will be responsible for serving the papers to the taxi driver and taking over the work for your case. They will be the sole communicator between the taxi company’s insurer and representative for possible settlement offers.

If the taxi company does not decide to offer a settlement, then your case will officially go to court. In court, the jury will be responsible for deeming how much compensation the plaintiff will receive. Proving the negligence of a taxi driver can be very difficult, which is why your attorney will work hard at collecting all of the necessary evidence to present your case in a favorable light. 

When the jury is listening to your attorney’s presentation, they will determine based on a few factors how much you should be awarded. The jury will look at:

• Accident circumstances 
• The taxi driver
• The amount of damages the passenger sustained

These damages are broken down into two groups: economic losses and noneconomic losses. Economic losses are the total amount of damages the plaintiff has to pay. Noneconomic losses are the trauma or mental and physical anguish that developed as a result of the accident.

It is very possible that the taxi company has their own legal expert on their side working to prevent losing in court and paying the plaintiff. While you are searching for a lawyer, it’s important that you look for a firm that has a lot of experience fighting these types of battles. 

If you were involved in the accident with your car, you might be found semi-responsible for the accident due to Florida’s comparative rule, which means the percentage of your responsibility will be deducted from your total earnings found in court. 

Confused? We Can Help

If you are involved in an accident with a taxi company, the attorneys at Frankl Kominsky Injury Lawyers can assist you with your case. We understand that this is not a normal car accident and that you may be wondering what options you have. If you have suffered injuries or financial stress as a result of this accident, we have the experience you need to seek extra compensation. 

We are a reputable firm that has been working to help the residents of Pompano Beach, Florida, and other surrounding areas for the last 40 years (by appointment only). We have in-depth knowledge of the statute of limitations surrounding cases such as these, and we know exactly what to do. 

Call our firm at (561) 800-8000 anytime or visit us online to leave your contact information in the free case evaluation form. We will reach out to you to schedule a time for you to visit the office to hear more about our services and hear how we can best serve you.

Frankl Kominsky Injury Lawyers pride themselves on helping residents of Florida seek the justice they deserve, and that’s what we want to do for you. 

Don’t wait any longer to give us a call.