Claiming for passenger injuries following a taxi accident
Most people use taxis at some time or another, either when their car is out of service, when they are going out for the evening and want to have a few drinks or as an everyday mode of transport. But the last thing you expect when you're sitting back, unconcerned with the toils of driving, is that you will end up sustaining serious passenger injuries.
While many taxi drivers are experienced and skilled motorists, they often work long shifts and take infrequent breaks between fares. This means that they are more likely to suffer from driver fatigue, have decreased awareness and slower reactions. Also, as they spend longer on the road than the average driver, they are far more prone to having a car accident. Read more about car accidents and passenger injuries.
What you should do following a taxi accident
When you're involved in a road accident of any description it can be a very traumatic experience; adrenaline or panic may rush through your veins and you may find it difficult to think clearly.
However, there are some steps that you can take at the accident scene which may come in handy if you wish to pursue a personal injury compensation claim at a later date. Read through the advice below and you might just remember it at the time you need it most:
* Get the name and contact details of the taxi driver, the registration number of their taxi and the name and telephone number of the taxi firm that they work for.
- Get the name and contact details of any other drivers involved in the accident and the registration numbers of their cars.
- Get the names and contact details of any witnesses to the taxi accident.
- Take photographs of the accident scene from a variety of angles or make a sketch of it as soon as possible after the accident occurs.
- Write down the sequence of events that lead up to the accident.
- Take photographs of any passenger injuries sustained.
Your entitlements
If you suffer passenger injuries in a taxi accident that was either the fault of the taxi driver or another driver, then you may have a case for personal injury compensation. All drivers have a duty of care to their own passengers as well as to passengers in other vehicles.
If you sustained passenger injuries through no fault of your own, the taxi driver's motor insurers or the company that he works for may be liable for your compensation.
In the event that the driver who caused the accident is not insured or commits a hit and run offence, we could still help you pursue a compensation claim through the Motor Insurers' Bureau (MIB), who specialise in road accident claims caused by uninsured or untraceable drivers.
Also, if you use your local taxi company on a daily basis and have built up a rapport with your regular taxi driver, you should still make a claim for compensation. If you have sustained a passenger injury then you have a right to claim for pain and suffering, lost earnings and the cost of any medical treatment and ongoing care needed.
Remember that making a passenger injury claim against a taxi driver will not cause any negative consequences for them as an individual. Any compensation that you are awarded will come direct from their motor insurance provider or their employer's insurance as they have insurance precisely for this purpose.
Making a no win no fee claim for passenger injuries today
If you have suffered passenger injuries through no fault of your own in a taxi accident or any other accident then YouClaim are here to help.
The claims process is completely devoid of hassle as we offer free legal advice along the way and explain everything in plain English, without using complicated legal jargon.
We also work on a no win no fee basis and you will receive every penny of compensation awarded to you. So you have nothing to lose; just fill out one of our online forms, request a call back, chat online or give us a call today on 0800 10 757 95.
