New York City, NY top attorney, handles taxi cab accidents, bus accidents, MTA, medical malpractice, doctor errors, wrongful death, airline injuries & death, and construction cases. Attorney Jonathan C. Reiter consistently delivers results.
When people think of yellow taxi cabs, they typically picture New York City, where you can hardly look out the window without seeing the brightly colored vehicles. Taxis are such a common sight that people are surprised to learn that rideshare vehicles now outnumber traditional cabs in New York City.
According to one report, there are about 13,500 yellow taxis in the city, but about 46,000 vehicles that drive for rideshare services like Uber and Lyft.
However, taxicabs remain a fixture in the city, and if you’ve been injured in a taxi accident in New York City you should speak with Attorney Jonathan C. Reiter who has experience handling this type of case. It’s important to know what steps to take if you’re involved in an accident in a cab.
Get Medical Help
After any kind of car accident, it’s important to get medical treatment for any injuries. Some people are reluctant to seek emergency help because they worry about the potential cost, or they believe their injuries aren’t serious enough to require a trip to the emergency room.
However, you shouldn’t neglect your health. In some cases, a rush of adrenaline during an accident prevents people from realizing just how badly they’re injured. This is why it’s important to get treatment for your injuries as soon as possible following an accident. You want to start documenting your injuries by seeing a doctor as soon as possible after an accident. Taking this step helps prevent an insurance company from being able to claim that you weren’t as hurt as you say you are, or that some other incident caused your injuries in between the accident and the first time you sought medical help
Taxis Are Required to Stop After an Accident
Under New York City law, a taxi driver is required to stop after an accident that results in property damage. If the driver fails to stop, the driver could face a misdemeanor. In accidents that result in a serious injury, a cab driver who leaves the scene without permission could face a felony charge.
If a cab driver fails to stop after being involved in any type of accident, you should contact the police and report it as soon as possible. The cab driver could face both civil and criminal penalties for failing to stop after causing a crash.
Collect Information
Whether you’re riding in the cab at the time of the accident, driving your vehicle that’s hit by a cab, or you’re a pedestrian or bicyclist struck by a taxi, it’s important to get information from all motorists involved in the collision. You should gather all the same information that you would after any other kind of motor vehicle crash. Exchange important information such as your name, driver’s license details, insurance information, and the make and model of each vehicle involved in the accident. It’s also a good idea to get the email of everyone involved, so you can quickly contact them after the accident.
Notify the Authorities
You should contact the police as soon as possible following a taxi cab accident. The police will conduct their own investigation and issue a report. This report is important evidence in any potential personal injury case. Don’t admit fault at the scene. It’s up to the police to determine who is responsible for the accident.
You should also cooperate fully with the police as they conduct their investigation. It’s okay to take notes and to ask questions.
Document Your Injuries
These days, most people have a smartphone with them at all times. You can use your phone to take photos of the scene, your injuries and any other information that might be important in your case. For example, if it’s a snowy or rainy day, you might want to take pictures of the weather conditions, as they might have contributed to the crash.
You can also use your phone’s features to record the statements of any eyewitnesses. In a busy place like New York City, there are often people present that witness a motor vehicle accident as it happens. If people don’t want to make a statement at the scene, you can ask to take down their personal contact information so you or your lawyer can speak to them at a later time. It’s best to talk to eyewitnesses as soon as possible after the accident, while the memory is fresh in their mind.
Contact a New York City Taxi Accident Lawyer
The law in New York City makes it mandatory for all registered taxis to maintain at least $100,000 in liability insurance. However, it’s important to keep in mind that the insurance company doesn’t work for you.
The insurance company wants to do everything it can to minimize payouts and to deny claims completely if it can. This is why it’s a good idea to speak to a New York City taxi accident lawyer about your case. Your lawyer can explain your rights and help you make informed decisions about the next steps in your case.
New York City Taxi Accident Attorney Jonathan C. Reiter
(T): 212-736-0979
Sources:
- https://ny.curbed.com/2017/1/17/14296892/yellow-taxi-nyc-uber-lyft-via-numbers
- https://dmv.ny.gov/dmv-records/motorist-accident-reports
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