Every time a passenger takes a cab, they are putting their life and health in the hands of the taxicab driver. For this reason, these professional drivers must carry insurance with much higher limits and expanded coverage when compared to the policies of most drivers.

If you suffered injuries in a crash a taxi driver caused, D. Miller & Associates, PLLC, can help you. Our car accident lawyers will analyze your case for free during your complimentary initial consultation and explain the strength of your claim against the cab driver.

Call us today at 713-850-8600 for a free consultation with a taxicab accident lawyer in Houston.

Recoverable Damages in a Houston Taxicab Accident

The amount of compensation available to you through an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit varies widely based on the facts of your case, the value of your losses, the policy coverage, and the severity of your injuries.

While we cannot tell you the range of compensation you might receive until we review the details of your accident, we can explain some of the types of damages recoverable in this type of crash. These also vary by case, but some of the most common we can recover include compensation for:

  • Medical bills and related expenses;
  • Ongoing care costs for permanent injuries;
  • Lost wages;
  • Future lost income and benefits;
  • Property damage to repair or replace your car or other items;
  • Out-of-pocket expenses; and
  • Pain and suffering.

Who Is Liable for My Houston Taxicab Crash Damages?

Determining liability in a Houston taxicab crash can be somewhat complicated. While we will need to know what led to the accident before we can identify the potentially liable parties, it is important to note that there is often more than one party liable for a taxicab crash.

The Cab Driver

If a taxicab driver causes an accident, they could be liable for the injuries that result. That applies to their passengers and the occupants of other cars involved in the crash.

The Taxicab Company

Thanks to a legal construct called vicarious liability, the taxicab company is liable for the actions of its employees. If the cab company classifies the cab driver as an employee, it is likely liable in an accident the driver caused.

Another Driver

If another driver collided with the taxicab and caused the passengers to suffer injuries, they may share in the liability.

A Vehicle or Parts Manufacturer

In some cases, an accident occurs because of a parts failure instead of poor driving or other causes. When this occurs, the parts manufacturer could be liable for the damages you suffered.

Even in cases where the cab driver is an independent contractor or works on their own, they should have a larger liability policy to cover your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. By working as a professional driver, they are responsible for the safety of their passengers and others on the road. You can hold them legally liable for the damages you suffered.

When we meet to discuss your taxicab accident case, we can help you identify the liable party or parties. We will go over your legal options, and help you decide how to proceed.

The Role of Negligence in a Houston Taxicab Accident

Negligence plays a key role in Texas car accident claims, including cases where a taxicab driver caused the crash. If you suffer injuries in a Houston taxi accident, you will need to definitively show how the driver acted negligently and how that led to your injuries. Without this evidence, we cannot hold the cab driver or taxi company liable for your losses and expenses.

We can do this by showing that four specific points were true in your case. These are:

  1. The taxi driver had a legal responsibility to drive in safe and reasonable manner, and keep passengers and the occupants of other cars safe;
  2. The car driver acted in a careless, reckless, or unreasonable way behind the wheel;
  3. This behavior led directly to your accident and injuries; and
  4. You suffered physical injuries and financial damages.

We have a variety of options available to show negligence. If the police responded to your accident, for example, we will get the police report. Often, this report will outline the driver’s negligent behavior for us. You may already know what the taxicab driver did to cause the crash. Because of the nature of their jobs, they are almost always in a hurry, and some find it difficult to keep a cool head.

In general, you may remember the cab driver breaking traffic laws or otherwise putting you in danger and causing the crash. The most common ways this occurs include:

  • Aggressive driving;
  • Speeding;
  • Running a red light;
  • Texting or talking on the cellphone while driving;
  • Changing the radio or adjusting other instruments on the panel;
  • Driving while overworked, drowsy, or fatigued; or
  • Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, including some prescription drugs.

Let a Taxicab Accident Lawyer in Houston Help You.

We can file a claim against the liable party or parties in your crash, present our case to the insurance company, and demand a fair payout. In some cases, this leads to a settlement agreement, and we never need to take your case to trial.

In other cases, however, the cab driver and taxicab company fight liability. As professional drivers who are dependent on their cab and their job, they will do almost anything to avoid admitting fault. When this occurs, we may need to aggressively pursue a personal injury lawsuit in civil court.

The Houston car accident team from D. Miller & Associates, PLLC, can help you get to the bottom of who caused your taxicab accident. We can help you hold the responsible parties financially liable. Call our Houston office today at 713-850-8600 to get started with a free case review.