Know Your Legal Rights after a Fort Lauderdale Taxi Accident

Taxi cabs are common in Florida, especially in major cities such as Miami and Fort Lauderdale. As a major vacation spot, Florida offers plenty of business for cab companies and drivers. Tourists and locals alike frequently choose to take cabs so that they do not have to worry about driving somewhere unfamiliar to them or getting behind the wheel after drinking. This is generally a good safety measure, but sometimes, taxis are involved in car accidents. You must understand your rights if you are a passenger during one of these.

Whether you are a Florida resident or injured in a taxi accident during a visit, The Winston Law Firm can help. We are a Fort Lauderdale personal injury firm with a track record of success in representing victims in car accidents, and we are also experienced at handling the complexities of an accident involving commercial vehicles like taxis. We will help you determine who was at fault in your accident and will work tirelessly to obtain the settlement or verdict you need to cover the cost of your injuries.

Why Do Taxi Accidents Occur?

Taxi cab operators drive for a living and have hopefully been screened by the cab company that hired them, so it seems as if taxi accidents should be relatively infrequent. However, several factors may contribute to a cab accident in our state. In some cases, it might be carelessness on the driver’s part; he or she might be distracted by something inside or outside the car or be fatigued after long hours. Florida also has a lot of ongoing road traffic, which creates additional distractions and forces drivers to take unfamiliar detours, which makes accidents more likely to occur. In other cases, a cab driver may fail to see a pedestrian or cyclist crossing the road, even when that pedestrian or cyclist has the right of way.

Regardless of the cause, you deserve compensation for injuries in any accident due to your driver or another driver. Whether you were a taxi passenger, another vehicle driver, or a cyclist or pedestrian who a cab driver hit, contact Andrew Winston to learn what legal recourse you may have.

Why Might You Need to File a Claim against a Cab Company in Florida?

You may already know that cab companies carry a relatively high level of insurance to protect themselves financially in the event of an accident (these company owners will often bring up their insurance coverage to argue their superiority over ride-sharing services like Uber). However, while cab companies are legally required to carry adequate insurance, and while the negotiations between you and the insurance adjuster might seem to be going particularly well, you still need extreme caution.

Insurance adjusters often offer a paltry settlement that is only a fraction of what an attorney can obtain on your behalf. This settlement might seem sufficient initially, but it may only consider your current medical expenses, not future ones resulting from your injuries. To make matters even worse, if your injuries become more serious over time (for example, if an initial soreness in your lower back becomes constant, acute pain), you cannot seek additional compensation from the cab company. Once you accept that first settlement, it is a done deal.

Before accepting a lowball offer to get money quickly, talk to an attorney at The Winston Law Firm. We will listen to the details of your case and let you know whether we think you can—and should—receive more from the cab company. We want to ensure you receive the compensation necessary to cover current and future medical bills, lost wages if you miss work, and any other costs associated with your injuries.

What to Do After Being Involved in a Cab Accident in South Florida

Being in any car accident is a scary experience, and you may also be suffering from serious pain and injuries in the immediate aftermath of the accident. Your priority should always be to get the medical attention that you need, but if at all possible, you should also try to document as much information as you possibly can, including the taxi driver’s information, the taxi company’s information, and the names and contact information of any witnesses. You may also want to take pictures of the accident scene if you have your phone. The more information you can obtain after the accident, the stronger your case will be. You may be surprised by what an experienced accident lawyer can do with access to these details.

When you work with Andrew Winston, we will consider all the details you provide while also conducting our investigation to find more evidence to corroborate your version of events. For example, cab companies must keep logs and records, including complaints, driving records, licensing, and maintenance logs. These documents may contain details supporting your case, and we will work to gain access to all information that we believe will help your case.

Once we have gathered evidence on your behalf, we will work with the cab company’s insurer to negotiate a fair settlement. We will take your case to court if we cannot reach a reasonable settlement. We have experienced trial lawyers who have successfully recovered compensation for clients through verdicts, so we will not hesitate to go to trial if we truly believe it is in your best interest.

Contact The Winston Law Firm to Schedule Your Free Consultation

To discuss your accident and injury details and to learn more about our law firm in a free initial consultation, contact The Winston Law Firm today. Remember that you have a limited amount of time to file your claim, and the clock starts ticking as soon as your accident occurs, so the sooner you contact an experienced taxi accident attorney, the better.

To contact Andrew Winston:

Do not wait any longer; begin pursuing the compensation you need and deserve today.