New York Taxi Accidents Lawyer

Throughout New York there are over 13,500 yellow taxicabs that provide over 400,000 rides a day. They are used daily by residents for personal and business travel, and are also a popular mode of transportation for tourists. New York taxi drivers have a reputation for driving recklessly. Unfortunately, in some cases this reputation is deserved. Each year in New York there are over 4000 accidents involving taxis. In some cases passengers and occupants of other vehicles escape such accidents with only minor injuries. In other cases the injuries are quite serious. However, under New York law victims of taxi accidents who suffer serious injuries have the legal right to demand compensation from the person whose negligence resulted in the accident. If you were injured in a taxi accident, contact an experienced New York taxi accidents lawyer at Stephen Bilkis & Associates who can help ensure that the person responsible for your losses is held accountable through a personal injury lawsuit.

Common Causes of Taxi Accidents

Taxi drivers are under pressure to get a fare to their destination as quickly as possible so that they can pick up another fare. This pressure can cause drivers to operate their vehicles recklessly. However, like any type of vehicle accident, the contributing factors for taxi accidents vary.

A driver is considered negligent if they drives carelessly, resulting in harm to another person or damage to property. There are many ways in which a person could drive negligently. New York has laws that define the "rules of the road." As an experienced New York taxi accidents lawyer can explain, should a driver violate any of these rules, they would have been negligent and responsible for any damage or injury that results from this negligence. Common causes of taxi crashes include:

• Tailgating: Tailgating, also known as following too closely, is a dangerous driving behavior where a driver drives too close to the vehicle in front, leaving little room for reaction time. This aggressive driving practice increases the risk of rear-end collisions and can lead to serious injuries or fatalities.
• Speeding: Speeding is a common cause of car accidents, as it reduces a driver's ability to react to sudden changes in traffic conditions. Driving above the posted speed limit or too fast for road conditions increases the likelihood of losing control of the vehicle and can result in devastating crashes.
• Driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol: Driving under the influence (DUI) is a reckless behavior that significantly impairs a driver's judgment, reaction time, and motor skills. Intoxicated drivers are more likely to cause severe accidents, injuring themselves, their passengers, and innocent road users.
• Texting and driving: Distracted driving, particularly texting and driving, has become a major contributor to car accidents. When drivers divert their attention from the road to read, type, or send text messages, they become a hazard to themselves and others on the road due to delayed reactions and impaired driving.
• Failing to stop at a stop sign or red light: Failing to obey traffic signals, such as stop signs or red lights, can lead to dangerous collisions, especially at intersections. Neglecting to stop as required by traffic laws can result in T-bone accidents or other serious crashes with potentially life-changing consequences.
• Reckless lane changing: Reckless lane changing involves abruptly switching lanes without signaling or checking blind spots, endangering nearby vehicles. This aggressive driving behavior can lead to side-impact collisions or force other drivers to make sudden maneuvers, increasing the risk of accidents and injuries on the road.

Liability in Taxi Accidents

If a taxi driver is negligent and as a result causes an accident, the taxi driver and his employer are legally and financially liable for the property damage and personal injury that result from the accident. Taxi accidents can leave victims with severe injuries. As a result, the victim accumulates substantial medical bills and misses a great deal of work. The whole family suffers. Discuss your legal options with an experienced taxi accidents attorney in New York, because through a personal injury lawsuit you may be able to recover a variety of damages, including:

• Medical expenses
• Lost wages
• Pain and suffering
• Property damage

If you are injured in a taxi accident it is important to understand the insurance requirements for taxi drivers. The New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission requires that all yellow taxi cabs and all licensed car services carry a minimum of $100,000/$300,000 in liability insurance coverage. This means that if one person is injured in an accident, there will be up to $100,000 in insurance available to them. If more than one person is injured the maximum is $300,000 of insurance available to them in total. However, your financial recovery may not necessarily be limited to what is available from insurance.

Contact Stephen Bilkis & Associates

A personal injury lawsuit stemming from a taxi accident is complicated. It’s important to be represented by an experienced taxi accidents attorney serving New York. Stephen Bilkis & Associates is experienced in handling personal injury and wrongful death cases stemming from vehicles accidents. Time is of the essence when pursing a personal injury claim. The sooner the process is started, the quicker your case be resolved. Contact us at 800.696.9529 to schedule a free, no obligation consultation regarding your car accident. We serve clients in the following locations: Manhattan, Westchester County, Suffolk County, Staten Island, Bronx, Brooklyn, Long Island, Nassau County, and Queens.

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