Pre-Settlement Funding: Taxi Accident Lawsuit
Many people frequently rely on ridesharing services and other forms of transportation, such as taxis. Depending on where you live, riding in a taxi may even be part of your normal daily life and it is your primary way of getting around town. Riding in a taxi, however, is essentially putting your life in the hands of another person. You trust that because driving is their profession, that they are diligent and safe at all times when on the road. Unfortunately, if a negligent taxi driver makes a careless decision, it can easily result in a car accident. A taxi accident can cause serious injuries to all vehicle passengers, and in some cases, these accidents may also result in fatalities.
Common causes of fatal vehicle accidents, including taxi accidents, include:
- Driving an unsafe taxi
- Driving under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol
- Driving in unsafe conditions, such as poor weather
- Lack of seatbelts (in some cases, a taxi may not have working seatbelts or any seatbelts at all)
- Driving at night
When you’re behind the wheel, you’re in control of how safely you’re operating your own vehicle. You may not be able to control the actions of other drivers that you’ll encounter, but if safety is in fact your top priority when driving, you can at least ensure that you’re doing everything in your power to make good choices and be as cautious as possible. However, as a passenger in a taxi, you’re not given this option. You are completely dependent on someone else driving safely and that they will get you to your destination unharmed.
Taxi accidents can occur in several different ways, putting a wide range of people in danger based on various negligent decisions. Typically, when a taxi accident comes to mind, we often think of a passenger of a taxi getting injured in a car crash because the taxi driver used poor judgment. For example, perhaps they were driving too fast, texting while driving, or driving while intoxicated. While this can and does occur, a taxi accident may also happen when another negligent driver is the one responsible for the crash, and not the taxi driver. This can be a challenging situation for an injured passenger, as they were not in their own car during the accident, so dealing with things like insurance companies when it comes to injury claims may be more complex. However, if you are working on your taxi accident case with a car accident attorney, they are likely very knowledgeable when it comes to how to best approach these types of lawsuits.
In some taxi accidents, a taxi driver may be alone in the vehicle when another driver causes a crash. The taxi driver may have been working in between passenger pick-ups and drop-offs, or may just be starting or finishing up a shift. Either way, this is considered an on-the-job injury, and injured taxi drivers may also be eligible for workers’ compensation as well. Because taxi drivers do spend so much of their time in vehicles, their risks of getting involved in a car accident and sustaining an on-the-job injury are typically higher when compared to other workers. In fact, it has been reported that 60 percent of deadly accidents involving ride-sharing transportation, including taxis, are a result of on-the-job transportation incidents.
Finally, taxi accidents can also occur if a negligent taxi driver strikes someone on foot, such as a pedestrian or bicyclist. This type of taxi accident can be especially problematic in congested areas with large amounts of foot traffic, such as major metropolitan cities. If a taxi driver is found liable for the injuries that a pedestrian or bicyclist has incurred, they may be also working with an attorney on a taxi accident lawsuit. When people are killed in taxi accidents as a result of negligent drivers, their loved ones may be able to pursue wrongful death lawsuits on their behalf.
Were you or a loved one injured due to the negligent actions of a taxi driver? Were you, fellow passengers, and a taxi driver injured as a result of a careless driver in another vehicle? Everyone’s situation is unique, but regardless of what happened specifically with your accident, you may have a lawyer who is currently working with you. If you’re already well into the process, your lawyer is likely hard at work and finalizing your lawsuit in a time-efficient manner, while also focusing on getting you the highest payout possible.
Instead of struggling financially while waiting for your lawsuit to finalize, take advantage of the pre-settlement funding services that may be available to you if your case qualifies. Also known as a lawsuit advance, this money can help bridge the gap between now and when your case eventually comes to a resolution. Reach out to us today for more information and to find out how you can receive money upfront for your lawsuit.
