Taxis are a necessary evil in New York. For many people, owning a car is simply not feasible. But taxi drivers often make aggressive, risky driving maneuvers, and accidents are common. If you were hurt while riding as a passenger in a New York cab, what should you do? Below, our dedicated New York taxi cab accident lawyer discusses how you should handle a New York taxi passenger injury.
Make sure the taxi stops
New York law requires drivers to stop after any accident that involves injury to a person or damage to property. If you are hurt, it is a crime for your driver to continue on rather than pulling over, regardless of whether the cab hit another car, a pedestrian, a motorcycle, a parked car, or a building.
Call the authorities
Call 911 after any crash involving injury. First responders may be able to help with any injuries, and it is important for the police to come to the scene and investigate. The police report will be a strong piece of evidence for you down the line when you are trying to recover compensation.
When the police arrive, cooperate with their investigation. Tell them what you remember about the crash as fully and as accurately as possible. Make sure to listen to what your driver says about the accident, too.
Collect information and document the scene
If anyone else was involved in the accident (another driver, for example), make sure to get their information (name, phone number, birth date, driver license number, insurance information, license plate number, vehicle identification number). If there were witnesses, get their contact information as well. Collect this information from your cab driver as well. If possible, take notes on what you remember about the crash–where each vehicle was located, the directions they were traveling, about how fast the cab was going, whether there was inclement weather such as rain or snow, etc.
Take photos of the scene of the crash, of any vehicles or other objects involved, and of your own injuries. Start collecting and keeping copies of any documents generated in connection with the accident, including police reports, medical records, medical bills, communications with insurance companies, and anything else.
See a doctor
As soon as possible after you leave the scene of the accident, see a doctor. Of course, if you have serious injuries, you should accept emergency medical help and get to the hospital. Even if you feel fine, it is important to get checked out. You may have hard-to-detect injuries such as a concussion or internal bleeding, injuries that can get much worse if left unidentified and untreated. Tell the doctor about all of your symptoms, and what happened. If you do have any injuries, getting medical attention immediately serves as strong proof that your injuries were caused by the accident. If you wait several days, a defense lawyer or insurance company may try to claim that you were hurt in some other way.
Talk to a Lawyer
Yellow taxi cabs are required to maintain certain minimum levels of insurance for accidents. Dealing with insurance providers can be a chore, however, and they are always looking for a way to limit payouts. A qualified New York car accident lawyer can help you investigate the circumstances of your accident, build your case, and ensure that you get the maximum compensation available for your injuries.
Get Help After a New York Taxi Crash
If you or someone you love has been hurt in a taxi cab accident in New York, find out if you’re entitled to money damages for your injuries by contacting the seasoned and effective New York car crash lawyers at the Bronx offices of the Kohn Law Firm for a free consultation at 718-409-1200.