Yellow taxis in New York City are a symbol of the thriving Big Apple, transporting millions of people each year. Given the high number of daily cab rides across the five boroughs, there is always potential for accidents. Even though the incidence is somewhat low, when these mishaps do happen, there is still the possibility of major injury.
To make sure your rights are protected and that you get all the money and benefits you deserve, call Schwartzapfel Lawyers now at 516-342-2200 or schedule your free consultation online today. Alternatively, please continue reading.
How Common Are Yellow Cab Accidents?
Given the enormous number of daily taxi rides taken in New York City, yellow cab accidents are common. According to the New York City Taxi & Limousine Commission, there are nearly (100,000) cab trips every day.
Common situations that contribute to NYC yellow taxi accidents include but aren’t limited to:
- Pedestrian accidents
- Collisions with other cars
- Bicycle accidents
If you or a loved one is involved in a yellow cab collision, you need to respond immediately. For instance, you should record the situation with video and pictures of the automobile damage, the state of the road, and any obvious injuries. This material can help establish the facts of the accident and determine who’s at fault.
For the representation you deserve, call the seasoned New York taxi accident attorneys of Schwartzapfel Lawyers at 516-342-2200 today. We can help fight for the financial compensation you’re entitled to, no matter your situation.
What Kinds Of Injuries Do Yellow Cab Accidents Cause?
Yellow taxi accidents can cause any number of catastrophic injuries. The intensity and effect of these injuries can cause long-term physical, mental, and financial problems. To illustrate, here are some common possible injuries:
Head Trauma
Severe taxi accidents cause concussions, skull fractures, and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). Brain injury can impair memory, coordination, and personality. Head trauma patients may need lifetime medical attention and rehabilitation.
Neck And Whiplash Trauma
The quick head jerking in crashes causes whiplash and other neck injuries. Whiplash can cause extreme discomfort, limited mobility, and persistent neck and headaches. These injuries frequently require immediate medical treatment and physical therapy.
Spinal Cord Damage
Car accidents can cause catastrophic spinal cord injury. These injuries can cause partial or full paralysis, affecting a victim’s life. Medical fees, rehabilitation, and adaptive equipment can be burdensome after a spinal cord injury.
Broken Bones & Fractures
High-impact crashes often break bones. Arms, legs, ribs, and other bones may break. Surgery, immobilization, and prolonged physical treatment are common for these injuries. A long recovery might hinder a victim’s career and daily life.
Cuts And Bruises
Collisions and sharp vehicle surfaces cause lacerations and contusions. Some cuts and bruises heal without medical care, but serious lacerations can cause blood loss, infections, and permanent scars.
Back Injuries
Car accidents often cause ruptured discs and muscular strains. These injuries can impede movement and create persistent discomfort. These disorders frequently require long-term physical rehabilitation and pain management.
Amputations
Extreme collisions can cause traumatic amputations. Losing a limb is physically and mentally devastating. To adjust, victims may need prosthetics, intensive rehabilitation, and psychotherapy.
Disfigurement
Burns, serious lacerations, and other severe injuries can cause car accident disfigurement. Disfigurement frequently requires reconstructive surgery and treatment to help sufferers cope emotionally and psychologically.
These injuries might have lifelong effects on patients. Each injury brings distinct obstacles, from medical care and rehabilitation to emotional and financial burdens on the victim and family.
If a yellow cab hurt you or a loved one, you need to act fast to protect your rights in order to get all the money and benefits you deserve. To this end, dial 516-342-2200 for your free consultation with Schwartzapfel Lawyers today.
Who Is Liable In Yellow Cab Accidents?
Recovering from your injuries often depends on establishing liability. Knowing who is responsible for a yellow cab incident can be difficult and requires careful analysis of the events of the accident, considering elements including but not limited to:
The Taxi Driver’s Role And Potential Negligence
Taxi drivers have a responsibility to drive their cars safely and obey traffic rules. Failure to do so can result in serious injuries and even death. Examples of taxi driver negligence are:
- Driving fast or recklessly
- Distracted driving (e.g., using a phone while behind the wheel)
- Disregarding road signs or traffic lights
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Failing to give the right of way
And so, if a taxi driver’s conduct leads to an accident, they could be held liable for the resulting injuries and damages. Accordingly, gathering as much information as you safely can at the scene — including the driver’s details, the license number of the cab, and any pertinent observations — is absolutely vital to the success of your personal injury case.
Value Of Testimony And Evidence
To build a winning case, you need substantiating evidence, such as:
- Images and videos capturing the accident site, car damage, and any obvious injuries
- Witness statements from onlookers observing the accident
- Police notes of the occurrence in their records
- Medical documents noting the injuries received
Witness accounts can offer vital new perspectives on an accident’s occurrence and sources of fault. As such, you should gather detailed statements from all available witnesses, as their observations can significantly impact the outcome of your case.
Difficulties Proving Fault And The Value Of Legal Advice
Demonstrating culpability in a taxi accident can prove difficult. Taxi drivers and their insurance companies may contest culpability by claiming that the accident was not their fault. For example, they could say that another driver caused the crash or that a pedestrian ran in front of their cab without warning.
Here is when seasoned legal help becomes important, as the right attorney will:
- Examine the accident carefully
- Compile and preserve evidence
- Consult with professional witnesses, like those in accident reconstruction
- Negotiate on your behalf with insurance firms
- If called for, represent you in court
Having a seasoned attorney on your side can greatly increase your likelihood of getting any compensation you’re entitled to. They will put great effort into establishing responsibility and guaranteeing that your rights are maintained throughout the legal process.
Damages & Compensation
The no-fault insurance system is quite important in New York in terms of offering quick coverage for economic losses and medical bills after an accident.
No matter who is to blame, this approach guarantees victims quick financial aid. Coverage under no-fault insurance includes additional economic losses, lost wages, and short-term medical expenses.
To claim damages outside of these benefits, victims must satisfy the requirements for a significant injury under New York State Insurance Law §5102(d). This covers injuries like major disfiguration, bone fractures, loss of a fetus, or any condition that keeps the person from going about normal business for a designated length of time.
When an injury qualifies as serious, victims can seek extra damages outside of no-fault compensation. Medical bills for continuous treatment, lost income from missed work, accident-related pain and suffering, long-term care demands, and loss of consortium — which helps to offset the effects on relationships and family life — can all be among these damages.
What Steps Should You Take Following A Yellow Cab Accident?
Your chances of getting paid greatly depend on the correct actions taken promptly after a yellow cab accident.
First, even if your injuries appear minor, get medical attention right away. To guarantee objective treatment and care, see your own doctor instead of the advised one by your company.
Then, gather evidence at the scene. Photographs and videos of the accident location, the cars involved, and any obvious injuries are great tools. Get witness statements and their phone numbers for your records going forward.
See a seasoned attorney before you contact any insurance providers. A skilled attorney can help you with the process, safeguarding your rights and making sure you never unintentionally say anything that can compromise your claim. They can negotiate with insurance firms and create a strong case for your full financial recovery.
Contact Schwartzapfel Lawyers Today!
In New York City, yellow cab accidents can cause serious injuries and raise complicated legal hurdles. Securing the money you are entitled to depends on knowing the kinds of injuries you have, assessing culpability, and understanding the no-fault insurance system.
Acting fast, compiling evidence, and consulting seasoned attorneys will help you defend your rights and improve your chances of mounting a winning case.
For a free consultation with an award-winning NYC legal team today, simply dial 516-342-2200 and speak with Schwartzapfel Lawyers now. No matter your situation, it will be our honor and privilege to fight — and win! — for you.
DISCLAIMER: Nothing on this page should be considered legal advice. You should seek the appropriate counsel your situation requires. For more information, call 516-342-2200 now!
Sources:
Schwartzapfel Lawyers, P.C. | Fighting For You
Uber, Lyft ridership falls 15% in NYC, taxi cab trips rise | New York Post
Spinal Cord Injury | National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke | NINDS
