Accidents involving a taxi cab are not like regular automobile accidents. These accidents present unique challenges that can be complex and confuse especially when recovering from a serious injury. You should know some of the things you will need to do after being in a taxi cab accident.
Determine Everyone Responsible
The first thing you will have to do is determine everyone responsible for your injuries. The taxi cab driver is likely going to be liable although you will have to prove that the individual acted negligently. Another person outside of the cab might also be responsible. This could be a pedestrian, a bus driver or another driver in a car. Multiple people might be liable for your injuries. You can pursue every party responsible for your damages to get the compensation that you are owed. A taxi cab accident lawyer can make it much easier to find every person and company liable for the accident.
Investigate the Driver or Taxi Company
It will be necessary to investigate the driver and the taxi cab company to see whether a pattern of negligence exists that might help to prove your case. The driver might have a previous criminal record. There might be witnesses who were injured by the driver in the past. The taxi cab company could have policies in place that violate the law or force drivers to take unnecessary risks. You are going to want the help of a taxi cab accident lawyer when performing this investigation and looking for witnesses.
Finding and Talking To Insurance Companies
All taxicab drivers are required to hold some liability insurance. Unfortunately, it is not always easy to find the insurance company. You will need to find the insurance company tied to the cab or the driver. You will then need to talk to the insurance company. This means negotiating with the insurer to get a fair amount of compensation for all of your injuries. A taxi cab accident lawyer has experience in this area. An attorney can find the right insurance company and attempt to negotiate a favorable settlement that covers all your expenses.
Prove Your Damages
The next thing you will need to do is to prove your damages. You must gather together evidence of all your financial losses caused by the injury. Things like medical bills and lost wages are both damages. A taxi cab accident lawyer might also be able to show that you deserve compensation for pain and suffering related to the injury or the actions of the cab driver. An attorney could show evidence that you need to be compensated for expenses that are sure to occur in the future due to the injury. The damages that you can prove will determine the amount of compensation you will receive.
Go To Trial
You might have to go to trial if the insurance company will not agree to a settlement or if the driver did not have insurance. You do not want to go through a trial without representation from an attorney. A lawyer knows the law and the litigation process. Although a trial might not be necessary, you do want to have the right personal injury attorney at your side after being in an accident involving a taxi cab.
Accidents involving a taxi cab are not like regular automobile accidents. These accidents present unique challenges that can be complex and confuse especially when recovering from a serious injury. You should know some of the things you will need to do after being in a taxi cab accident.