Taxis are prevalent here, and taxi accidents in Las Vegas happen frequently. Because a taxi cab is a commercial vehicle, it adds more complexity to a potential car accident claim.
Contact one of the experienced Las Vegas car accident lawyers at Shook & Stone for help managing your legal case after a taxi accident. They will work hard to ensure you receive appropriate compensation for your losses.
Your Rights When You Are a Passenger
The rule in Nevada is that the at-fault driver is responsible for property damage and injuries the accident causes. The fault determination can greatly impact a passenger’s ability to secure appropriate compensation.
Taxis are required to carry commercial insurance with coverage limits of at least:
- $250,000 for injury to one person
- $500,000 for bodily injuries per incident
- $50,000 in property damage
If you are a taxi passenger and the cabbie was at fault, you can pursue a claim against the taxi company. If the other driver was at fault in the crash, you must assert a claim against their insurance, which will likely have lower coverage limits unless the at-fault driver was operating a commercial vehicle.
A Las Vegas personal injury lawyer could investigate the crash and perhaps find ways to hold the taxi company liable, even if the taxi driver was not primarily responsible for the crash. For example, Nevada Revised Statute § 706.8837 lists multiple safety requirements for taxis. If the taxi was not in compliance with these requirements, you could hold the taxi company partially responsible for your losses.
When Your Vehicle Gets in an Accident With a Taxi
As commercial vehicles, taxis have a heightened duty to operate safely and avoid harm to others. Nevertheless, the pressure to earn fares means taxi drivers sometimes speed, make unsafe turns, or put people at risk in other ways. Looking for a fare, talking to the dispatcher, and conversing with passengers can cause distraction, which could lead to a wreck.
When a taxi driver does not take the utmost care and causes a crash, the taxi company is responsible for compensating you. Compensation could include:
- Medical bills
- Diminished income
- Money for your inconvenience, pain and suffering, and other impacts on your quality of life
You must prove the taxi was negligent to collect compensation. A taxi company’s insurer might defend the claim aggressively, so working with a seasoned local attorney is critical. A legal professional with Shook & Stone’s Law Vegas office could review the accident report, witness statements, any available video footage, the cabbie’s driving and employment records, the vehicle’s maintenance records, and other relevant evidence to prove the taxi company is responsible for paying your damages.
Pursuing a Claim From Out of Town
Las Vegas hosts more than 30 million visitors every year, and many of them drive rental cars or hire taxis. When they suffer losses in an accident, pursuing compensation from home can be challenging.
Anyone who suffers injuries in a taxi crash should get a medical evaluation immediately. A medical record generated soon after the incident is proof tying your injury to the accident. If you believe your injuries are minor and wait to get treatment until you return home, the taxi company’s insurer will likely claim that you are either faking the injury or received it in another incident.
The attorneys at Shook & Stone can provide aggressive representation on your behalf, even if you live in another state or another country. Through video conferencing and other technology, you could pursue a claim and collect an appropriate settlement, often without having to return to Nevada.
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Pursue Damages for a Taxi Accident With a Las Vegas Attorney
Getting into an automobile wreck is always traumatic and inconvenient. The stress could be heightened when one of the involved vehicles is a taxi.
Anyone who suffers losses in a taxi accident in Las Vegas should contact Shook & Stone immediately to explore the legal options available. Call today to schedule a free consultation.
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