How do you choose to get around the Valley? Do you hop in your car when you want to go to work or run errands? Maybe you utilize one of the many buses or even the light rail in Phoenix. Perhaps you prefer to walk or ride your bicycle – as long as the weather permits.
Some people who live in the Phoenix area like to travel by taxi cab and others find it convenient to use the services of a taxi on at least an occasional basis. Fortunately for those individuals, taxis are plentiful in the Valley of the Sun with numerous companies and associations servicing the area. And with the continual advancement of technology, now cabs can be hailed on a street corner, by calling the number of a cab company, through a text message, or even through an app in some instances, meaning that a taxi cab is only moments away.
Cabs are a great resource for Phoenix residents and it might be hard to picture the Arizona driving landscape without them. But when something goes wrong in a cab ride, who is to blame? And what options do victims have if they need help?
In some respects, a taxi cab accident is like any other type of collision that occurs in Phoenix. Police will usually arrive at the scene of the collision and conduct an investigation to determine who was at fault for the crash and whether it could have been avoided. A police report will be completed and one or more drivers involved may be issued tickets for their conduct in the crash.
But in other respects, a collision involving a taxi cab is unique and often confusing to those involved. Victims who are injured in these incidents should know that taxis are required to carry insurance in the event of a crash and that the insurance is designed to protect those who are injured, including victims who are riding in the cab and those who are in a vehicle that is struck by a taxi. These cabs must carry a minimum of $300,000 in coverage, an amount that is much higher than the minimum requirements for a private car, but the coverage still may not be enough in the event of a serious collision. Therefore, it is wise to get advice and guidance from someone experienced with taxi cab claims if you were injured in a crash.
Immediately following a collision, victims may need medical help or the need for assistance may not arise for hours or days, depending on the nature of the injuries sustained. When someone is hurt, it is unfair to expect victims who did nothing wrong in causing a crash to bear the financial toll enacted by one, and therefore the laws in Phoenix let those who are hurt seek relief through a civil claim for damages. Payment for things like medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering may be available to you if a taxi cab crash altered your life or claimed the life of someone you love.
If you have questions about your rights, know that the personal injury attorneys at Abels & Annes, P.C. are standing by 24 hours a day, seven days a week to take your call toll free at (855) PHX-LAWYER or locally at (602) 819-5191 where we will provide you with a no-cost, no-obligation case consultation about your legal options. If we represent you, there is no fee unless we make a recovery in your case and we will fight for the best possible outcome for you and your family.
Prior Blog Entry:
Passengers are at Risk for Injuries in Phoenix Car Accidents, Phoenix Injury Lawyer Blog, published October 1, 2015.