Taxi cabs are one of the most convenient modes of transportation used for traveling around a big city. They are easy to spot, efficient, and they are not hard to come by in downtown Miami. Taxi cab drivers are required to operate their vehicles in a safe manner without endangering their passengers and other drivers. When passengers are injured due to the negligence of taxi cab drivers, the process of seeking compensation for injuries can be confusing and stressful.
The first step in seeking compensation for injuries incurred at the hands of a negligent taxi cab driver is to contact an experienced personal injury attorney. Simultaneously navigating through paperwork, speaking with insurance claims adjustors and trying to remain current on medical bills is a tall order for people who are still physically and emotionally healing from their injuries. If you or a loved one have been injured due to the carelessness or negligence of a taxi cab driver, call Prosper Shaked Accident Injury Attorneys to speak to a Miami taxi accident lawyer about getting the compensation you deserve.
Common Causes and Injuries Involved in Taxi Cab Accidents
Taxi drivers earn their income based on the amount of fares accumulated during each shift. Being efficient and minimizing the gaps in time between each trip allows for drivers to keep their cash flow fluid and constant. Unfortunately, in an effort to rack up more trips, drivers often engage in excessive speeding and sometimes fail to abide by traffic laws, which can result in serious bodily injuries for passengers. Some other common causes of taxi cab accidents include:
- Aggressive driving
- Eating while driving
- Driver fatigue
- Texting and talking on the phone while driving
- Distracted driving
- Alcohol
- Illegal substances
- Prescription drugs
- Lack of training or experience
- Vehicle malfunction
- Defective seatbelts or airbags
- Tailgating
Sometimes accidents involving taxi cabs are fender benders where everyone walks away unharmed. Other times, serious injuries or even death can result. Below is a list of common injuries sustained as a result of negligent taxi drivers:
- Broken bones
- Fractures
- Cuts and lacerations
- Head trauma
- Facial injuries
- Brain injury
- Spinal cord injury
- Internal bleeding
- Internal organ damage
- Whiplash
- Back and neck injuries
- Paralysis
- Death
Proving Liability in a Taxi Cab Collision in Miami
Courts will find that a taxi cab driver is liable for injuries incurred by passengers if the injured person can prove that the driver was negligent. There are three essential elements that must be shown in order for a plaintiff to succeed on a theory of negligence. These elements are:
- The driver owed a legal duty of care to the plaintiff;
- The driver breached the legal duty of care; and
- As a result of the breach, the plaintiff suffered damages
Because they are considered common carriers, taxi drivers are held to a higher standard of care than other drivers on the road. Each taxi cab that is registered in the state of Florida must have minimum insurance coverage of $250,000 for each accident and $125,000 for bodily injuries suffered by each person.
Compensation for Injuries Suffered Due to Taxi Driver Negligence
Injured persons who succeed on a theory of negligence may receive two types of compensation for their injuries: compensatory damages and punitive damages. The purpose of compensatory damages is to make a plaintiff “whole.” Compensatory damages are divided into two subcategories: monetary and nonmonetary. Monetary damages include:
- Present and future lost earnings
- Present and future medical expenses
- Vocational rehabilitation
- Household services
- Wrongful death damages
Nonmonetary damages are more difficult to calculate but are still recoverable nonetheless. Examples of nonmonetary damages include:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment
- Loss of consortium
Plaintiffs may also recover punitive damages. Courts will award punitive damages in cases where a defendant’s behavior is particularly egregious or outrageous. The purpose behind punitive damages is to make an example out of a defendant so as to deter others from committing similar acts in the future. Florida has a cap on the amount of punitive damages a person can collect in a personal injury cause of action. A plaintiff may collect three times the amount of compensatory damages awarded or $500,000, whichever is greater.
Miami Taxi Accident Lawyer Offering Free Consultations
If you or someone you love have been injured due to the carelessness or negligence of a taxi cab driver, call a Miami personal injury lawyer today. Sometimes the process of filing a personal injury claim can be so overwhelming that injured persons wonder if the case is even worth pursuing. Prosper Shaked Accident Injury Attorneys PA provide high-quality legal services to clients from the day they file suit until they receive just compensation for their injuries. Prosper Shaked will utilize every available resource to ensure that his clients are placed in an optimal position to collect damages. Call (305) 694-2676 today for a free consultation with a Miami taxi accident lawyer you can trust.