What to do After a Cab Accident: What Are Your Rights?
Personal Injury Lawyer
Safety always comes first in terms of driving. However, even with the best of intentions, accidents still happen. If you’ve been involved in a car accident, then it’s time to think about your rights. If you spend a lot of time in the city, you probably won’t be surprised to hear that accidents sometimes involve cab drivers. What do you do if a cab driver strikes your vehicle? Here’s how to handle the case.
On the Scene
While you’re still on the scene, you may not feel one hundred percent. Still, you need to go through a series of steps to make sure that you don’t compromise your case. If you’re able to, leave your vehicle and gather the names of witnesses and everyone involved in the crash. Make sure that you find out the name of the cab company and the driver involved with the crash. Next, if it’s safe, take pictures of the scene. You want to take pictures from as many angles as possible. Treat this accident like a standard car accident. Any complications that come along with it being a cab company will not come into play yet.
After the Accident
Once you leave the scene, you’re going to want to make a claim. Your rights are the same as any driver involved in an accident. You proceed to make your claim the same way that you would for any vehicle. You can file a third-party insurance claim with the cab’s insurer or go to court with a personal injury lawyer. If the accident took place in a no-fault state, then you will have to file a Personal Injury Protection for your lost earnings and medical bills with your coverage.
Passenger Claims
Now, when it comes to taxi accidents, there are some differences. First, were there other passengers in the cab? If there were passengers in the cab and they suffered injuries, then odds are they are also going to file suit against the cab company. If the passenger believes that you were also at fault, they may file suit against both drivers. This can lead to exhausting the available insurance coverage.
When it comes to claims against cab drivers, the accident claims process is still very similar to any car accident. You still have to gather evidence, file a claim and prove your side of the case just like you would in any other car accident case. Your rights are the same, no matter who strikes your vehicle. To learn about car accident claims, talk to a car accident lawyer in Des Moines, IA for more information. Thanks to Johnston | Martineau, LLP for their insight into personal injury claims and car accidents with cabs.