Have you been hurt in a taxi accident in Chicago? Passengers expect a safe ride, but some cab drivers drive aggressively and ignore traffic rules. This behavior puts both passengers and others at higher risk of injury. In the case of a Taxi accident, you deserve fair compensation. However, the process can be complex.
Our skilled team understands the complexities of taxi accident cases, including liability issues between drivers and cab companies. Let us handle the legal details while you focus on healing.
Chicago Injury Lawyer: Your Legal Assistance After a Taxi Accident
Taxi services are popular across Chicago. Many people still prefer hailing a taxi on the street, despite drivers’ sometimes hurried and aggressive style. If you find yourself in a taxi accident, having a skilled taxi accident lawyer in Chicago is essential.
Attorneys from Chicago Injury Lawyers have years of experience handling such cases. We are ready to help you achieve the total compensation you deserve.
When You Choose Us, Our Lawyers will:
- Investigate every detail of the accident
- Gather substantial evidence to establish the fault
- Engage top-rated experts, if necessary, to strengthen your case
- Defend against unfair blame from insurance adjusters
- Accurately calculate the total value of your claim
- Handle all insurance negotiations to secure a complete settlement
Taxi Accident Victims We Represent
Taxi accidents don’t just affect passengers. Our taxi accidents attorney in Chicago works with all victims, including:
- Injured taxi passengers
- Other drivers in crashes with taxis
- Pedestrians struck by a taxi
- Cyclists hit by a taxi
We understand the monetary burden an injury can impose. If you weren’t at fault, you deserve fair compensation. Contact our Chicago taxi accident lawyer today to learn more about your options for legal support.
What Is My Taxi Accident Case Worth?
Our personal injury attorneys in Chicago frequently hear this question. Victims want to know their case’s value before committing time and energy.
To give a precise estimate, our lawyers must review the specifics of your case. However, several common factors influence case value:
- Severity of injuries
- Medical costs and out-of-pocket expenses
- Value of lost wages
- Impact on future earnings
- Extent of pain, suffering, and emotional trauma
- Need for ongoing care or rehabilitation
- Circumstances of the accident
- Nature of the at-fault driver’s actions
- Available insurance coverage
In Illinois, taxi and livery drivers are required to carry higher-than-normal insurance limits: Source
- Liability per person: $250,000
- Liability per accident: $250,000
- Property damage: $50,000
- Combined single liability: $300,000
Higher limits don’t always mean fair compensation will be easy to recover. Chicago Injury Lawyer will protect you from low insurance offers. Call today to schedule a free case review and get started.
Timeframe to File a Lawsuit After a Taxi Accident in Chicago
Illinois’s statute of limitations for personal injury cases is generally two years from the accident date. If you wait longer, you may lose the right to sue for damages. If a government agency is involved, a shorter filing deadline may apply. It’s best to take quick legal action. Our Chicago taxi accident lawyers can help confirm the proper deadline for your case.
Taxi Crash Victims Often Suffer Severe and Debilitating Injuries
Taxi accident victims, like all motor vehicle accident victims, often suffer serious injuries. Our personal injury attorneys frequently represent clients with injuries such as:
- Broken bones
- Whiplash
- Concussions
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Soft tissue injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Head and neck trauma
- Knee and shoulder injuries
- Back injuries
- Organ damage
- Burns
- Amputations
- Paralysis
- Catastrophic injuries
- Wrongful death cases
Sometimes, taxi passengers aren’t wearing seatbelts, which insurers may use to argue you worsened your injuries. However, not wearing a seatbelt doesn’t automatically affect your right to compensation.
Don’t let insurance tactics intimidate you. Call our taxi accident advocate in Chicago to see how we can support your case.
Establish Your Right to Compensation After a Taxi Accident
Establishing your right to compensation after a taxi accident in Chicago requires proving that the responsible party acted negligently. Taxi drivers owe a duty of care to all, but as “common carriers,” they owe passengers an even higher standard of care. To prove negligence:
- Duty of Care: The taxi driver owed you a safe and responsible ride.
- Breach of Duty: The driver’s actions (speeding or distracted driving) violated this duty.
- Causation: This breach led directly to the taxi accident.
- Damages: You suffered injuries or damage as a result.
Taxi accident cases are complex, and liability can extend beyond the driver. For example, you may also seek damages from:
- Taxi Companies: Taxi companies can be held responsible if they employ drivers.
- Maintenance or Inspection Companies: Poorly maintained cabs or lack of inspection can contribute to accidents.
- Government Agencies: If regulation or road conditions played a part.
Having an experienced attorney can help identify all parties that may be liable and gather evidence to support your case. Don’t hesitate to talk to our Chicago car accident lawyer to ensure your claim is successful.
Types of Damages Available to Accident Victims
In Chicago taxi accident cases, plaintiffs can seek different types of compensation depending on their injuries.
Economic Damages
Legally, financial losses are known as “economic damages” and usually include:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning potential
- Physical therapy
- Rehabilitation
- Nursing care
- In-home assistance
- Property damage
- Out-of-pocket expenses
Non-Economic Damages
Non-financial losses are called non-economic damages and may include:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- PTSD
- Diminished quality of life
- Physical disfigurement and scarring
- Loss of consortium
Punitive Damages
In rare situations, punitive damages may be awarded to penalize extremely reckless or malicious behavior. These damages go beyond simple negligence and aim to prevent future misconduct.
Most Common Causes of Taxi Crashes in Chicago
Taxi accidents are rising due to the city’s growing number of buses, taxis, and transit vehicles. Here are some of the most common causes of taxi accidents in Chicago:
Reckless Driving: Reckless taxi drivers may cut between cars or ignore traffic lights, putting others in danger. This disregard for safety can lead to serious collisions.
Drunk Driving: Driving under the influence is illegal for all drivers, including taxis. Impairment from drugs or alcohol drastically increases the risk of accidents.
Distracted Driving: Taxi drivers may text, eat, or use phone apps while driving, which pulls their attention from the road. These distractions can lead to sudden, unexpected crashes.
Speeding: Some drivers speed to reach destinations quickly, which often leads to dangerous situations. Speeding reduces reaction time, increasing accident risks.
Driver Fatigue: Long shifts can leave drivers exhausted, reducing their ability to stay alert. Fatigue can slow response times and lead to poor judgment on the road.
Poor Weather: Bad weather can impair visibility and make roads slippery. Conditions like heavy rain or snow increase the risk of accidents for all drivers.
Vehicle Defects: Mechanical issues or defective parts can fail unexpectedly, causing accidents. Defects may include faulty brakes, tire blowouts, or engine failure.
Poor Maintenance: Lack of maintenance can lead to vehicle malfunctions, endangering passengers and others. Regular inspections are essential to prevent accidents caused by preventable issues.
Who to Sue After a Taxi Accident in Chicago
After a taxi accident, investigating the crash is essential. Identifying the cause is vital in determining fault. Here are the possible at-fault parties:
Taxi drivers
Taxi drivers must complete a public driving course and pass a final licensing exam before driving a cab. Despite this, many still make serious driving errors. If a taxi driver is negligent, they may be liable for an accident. This negligence can include speeding, making illegal turns, tailgating, or driving while distracted.
Taxi Service
Taxi companies can also be liable for accidents in 2 main ways.
- They may be directly liable for their negligence, such as poor vehicle maintenance or hiring unqualified drivers, which leads to a taxi accident.
- They can also be liable for their drivers’ actions. If a driver’s negligence causes an accident, the company that employs them may be held liable.
Third-Party Motorist
Not all taxi accidents are the cab driver’s fault. Sometimes, another motorist’s carelessness causes the crash. A third-party motorist, such as a car, truck, bus driver, or motorcyclist, may be at fault in a taxi accident. They can be liable for issues like drunk driving, unsafe passing, or failing to yield.
Government Agency
Government agencies can be responsible for designing and maintaining safe public roads. They are liable if a road issue or poor design causes a taxi accident. However, there must be proof that the agency knew or should have known about the hazard and failed to address it.
Vehicle Manufacturer
Even with proper maintenance, things can still go wrong in a taxi. If a vehicle defect causes an accident, the company that designed, manufactured, or sold the car may be liable for damages.
Steps to Take Right After a Taxi Accident
If you’re injured in a taxi accident, take these steps within hours:
- Call 911: Get a police report for your accident. It’s vital evidence for any future claim.
- Document the Scene: Use your phone to capture photos of the accident scene, including injuries, vehicle damage, and surroundings.
- Seek Medical Attention: Even if you feel fine, see a doctor. Some injuries aren’t immediately apparent.
- File an Insurance Claim: Start the claims process, but avoid settling with insurance adjusters immediately.
- Consult a Taxi Accident Lawyer: Call (312) 261-5656 for a free consultation with a Taxi Accident Lawyer in Chicago.
Can I Recover Damages if I’m Liable for a Chicago Taxi Cab Accident?
Yes, you obviously get recoverable damage. However, don’t be surprised if the insurance company tries to pin some of the blame on you. If you weren’t a taxi passenger, you may also share some responsibility for the accident.
In Illinois, modified comparative negligence rules apply. You lose the right to compensation if you’re 51% or more at fault. You can still recover partial compensation if you’re less than 51% at fault.
Insurance companies know these rules well and will try to reduce their payout by proving you were partly at fault.
Our personal injury lawyers in Chicago understand these tactics, too, and will work hard to protect you against unfair blame.
Schedule a Free Consultation With the Best Taxi Accidents Lawyer
Chicago Injury Lawyer is known for success in the courtroom. We are committed to fighting for the compensation you deserve. Work with our taxi accident lawyers backed by decades of combined experience and the resources you need to win. Call us at (312) 261-5656 to schedule your free case evaluation today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I file a Claim if I Wasn’t Wearing a Seatbelt?
Yes, but the insurance company may argue that not wearing a seatbelt contributed to your injuries. Illinois follows a comparative negligence rule, meaning you can still recover damages if your fault is below 51%.
What Happens if I Miss the Deadline to File My Claim?
You may lose your right to pursue compensation if you miss the statute of limitations. However, some exceptions may apply. So, discussing your situation with a lawyer as soon as possible is essential.
What if I Was a Pedestrian or Cyclist Involved in a Taxi Accident?
As a pedestrian or cyclist, you have the right to request compensation for injuries sustained in a taxi accident. The process is similar, and you should contact a lawyer to help navigate your case and determine liability.
Will My Case Go to Trial?
Many taxi accident cases are settled out of court. However, your lawyer may recommend pursuing a trial if a fair settlement cannot be reached. Your attorney will set you up for this possibility during the claims process.
What if the Taxi Driver is Uninsured?
If the taxi driver lacks insurance, you may still have options. You can file a claim with your own uninsured motorist coverage if available. Additionally, you may pursue compensation from the taxi company or other responsible parties.
