Suffering an injury in a taxi accident can be a traumatic experience, whether you were driving a separate vehicle or were a passenger in the cab. Motor vehicle accidents often lead to severe injuries, emotional distress, property loss, and missed wages. It is understandable if you have questions about your right to hold the taxi driver or company responsible.
Thankfully, you can often sue a taxi company after a taxi accident in Florida. If the driver was at fault, their employer may be liable for your accident. A Florida taxi accident lawyer can handle every aspect of your case.
You May Have Grounds for Suing a Taxi Company in Florida
State law recognizes the theory of respondeat superior, meaning companies are liable for the negligent acts of their employees when they are acting within the scope of their employment. For cab drivers, this includes driving for the purpose of transporting or seeking passengers. When these drivers negligently cause an accident, the company can be liable for the crash.
Additionally, taxi companies must make reasonable efforts to avoid hiring drivers they know or should have known to be dangerous. Some examples include hiring drivers without a proper license or with a history of serious traffic violations or accidents.
In any of these situations, a Florida car accident lawyer can advise you on your chances of success in a personal injury lawsuit.
Taxi Cab Companies Must Carry Liability Insurance to Cover Accidents in Florida
Given their constant presence on the roadway, it should be no surprise that taxis are frequently involved in collisions. State law requires these companies to comply with specific regulations, including registering each cab and keeping the vehicles in safe and operable condition.
One of the major requirements to be aware of involves liability insurance coverage. Although Florida is a no-fault state, there are special coverage requirements for taxis and limousines given their role in carrying passengers. According to Florida Statutes § 324.032, for-hire transportation vehicles must carry the following coverage minimums:
- $125,000 for bodily injury claims per person
- $250,000 for bodily injury claims per accident
- $50,000 for property damage per accident
These insurance requirements are higher than the minimum coverage most other drivers face. Suing a taxi company in Florida can result in receiving compensation from the taxi company’s insurance policy.
How Do I Establish Taxi Company Liability Florida?
Before filing a taxi accident lawsuit Florida to hold the taxi company accountable for your injuries, you first must have evidence of negligence. In general, negligence is a careless, reckless, or intentional act that leads to your injury.
There are four unique elements required to prove negligence in a personal injury claim. Failing to establish even one of these elements will result in failure for taxi accident injury claims Florida.
Duty of Care
The first step is proving the defendant owed you a duty of care. This is usually simple, as all taxi drivers must operate their vehicles safely.
Breach of Duty
Second, your Florida personal injury lawyer must prove the cab driver or company breached their duty of care. This usually involves a driver error like speeding, but it can also relate to specific actions by the company.
Causation
This is the link between your accident and the breached duty of care. The cab company is only liable for your losses directly related to the crash.
Damages
Finally, you must prove you suffered compensable damages in the crash. Some of the common examples of economic and non-economic damages you can claim include:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Lost earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Emotional distres
If you lost a loved one in a taxi accident, you can also seek wrongful death damages with assistance from a Florida wrongful death lawyer. Common damages in a wrongful death lawsuit include
- Funeral costs
- Burial or cremation expenses
- Loss of household income
- Loss of household services
- Loss of companionship, consortium, and parental guidance
How to Get the Most Out of Your Lawsuit Against the Cab Company
Every step you take after an automobile accident is important. This is especially true when a cab driver is at fault, as taxi companies often have significant resources to fight your claim.
There are several things you can do to improve your chances of success in your personal injury lawsuit:
Seek Immediate Medical Assistanc
The first thing to do is seek medical treatment as soon as possible and follow your physician’s treatment plan precisely. Medical records and bills are crucial evidence in any car accident claim, as they tie your injuries to the crash and prove your physical and financial losses.
Don’t Discuss Your Case With Anyone But Your Attorne
The taxi cab company or their insurer might ask you for a statement, but providing them with one can only hurt your case. You should also avoid signing any documents provided by the insurance company shortly after the crash, as they can waive your Florida taxi accident legal rights and leave you with far less financial compensation than you deserve.
We also recommend you avoid posting on social media until your case concludes, even if your posts are unrelated to the accident. For example, if you post a picture of you walking your dog or playing with your children, the insurance company may use that as evidence that your injuries are not as bad as you claim.
Seek Legal Representation As Soon As Possible
The most important thing you can do in these situations is seek counsel from a Florida personal injury attorney. Your lawyer can investigate the cause of your crash, gather evidence of negligence, and aggressively pursue the outcome you deserve.
Do not delay in calling a personal injury law firm, as Florida Statutes § 95.11 places a deadline on filing personal injury lawsuits in Florida.
Get Help Suing a Taxi Company Following an Accident in Florida
If you were hurt in a taxicab accident, you can take legal action against the taxi company. A successful personal injury lawsuit could provide you with financial compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and other losses.
Our legal team at the Law Offices of Wolf & Pravato is here to help you seek justice following a taxi crash. Holding the taxi company accountable can be complicated on your own, but strong legal counsel could make the difference. Contact us as soon as possible for your free initial consultation by calling (954) 633-8270.
