Philadelphia Taxicab Accident Attorney

With approximately 1,600 taxis driving the busy streets of Philadelphia, taxis serve a valuable function for many city residents. Some taxi patrons want to avoid the stress of traffic and parking. Some would rather not take on the cost of owning a personal vehicle. Other taxi passengers are just looking for a ride home after having a few drinks. Unfortunately, taxicab accidents are a serious issue in our city.

Since a taxi hit and killed two people in Center City Philadelphia in 2015, many residents have been concerns about what to do in case of a taxi accident. A taxicab accident can have serious consequences, whether a person is hurt while riding as a passenger in a cab, as a passenger in another vehicle, or as a pedestrian. The good news is that the experienced accident lawyers in Philadelphia at Ciccarelli Law Offices can help you seek fair compensation for damaged property and medical bills or lost wages that result from injuries.

Why Choose Ciccarelli Law Offices for a Philadelphia Taxi Accident Lawyer?

At Ciccarelli Law Offices, we take pride in putting clients first every time, which means you will always have access to a team ready to stand up for your rights.

• We have recovered significant settlements and jury verdicts on behalf of individuals affected by vehicle accidents throughout Philadelphia.
• Our team understands the complexities involved with taxi cab accidents, particularly the process of dealing with multiple insurance carriers.
• We are fully ready to take your case all the way to a trial if that is what is necessary to recover the compensation you are entitled to.

Causes of Philadelphia Taxicab Accidents

A number of factors contribute to the incidence of taxicab accidents:

• The pressure to get passengers to their destinations as quickly as possible may cause some drivers to speed or employ aggressive driving tactics.
• Bad road conditions, such as inclement weather and construction, can significantly contribute to accidents, especially for fatigued drivers.
• With shifts averaging 12-17 hours, and many drivers working 6-7 days a week, exhaustion is a major contributor.
• Drivers often face additional distractions from loud or demanding passengers, people on the street trying to get their attention, and dispatches for new fares.
• Heavy vehicle wear combined with poor maintenance can cause problems such as worn brakes or inefficient power steering, which can contribute to an accident.

Along with the everyday issues impacting a taxicab driver’s ability to drive safely, some taxicab companies don’t do due diligence in hiring and maintaining their workforce and vehicle fleet. If employers don’t evaluate their employees regularly, drivers may be more likely to have problems that interfere with safe driving.

Common Injuries Caused by Philadelphia Taxicab Accidents

Whether you are the passenger in a taxi or in another vehicle, the most common injuries in cab accidents are those associated with many kinds of vehicle collisions:

• Brain injuries
• Sprained limbs
• Spinal cord injuries
• Bruises and lacerations

Along with the immediate expense of medical bills, many people who experience taxicab accidents lose wages or miss employment opportunities because of injuries or chronic pain.

In a worst-case scenario, the surviving family members of a fatal accident might even need the assistance of a Philadelphia wrongful death lawyer to help with their case.

Types Of Taxi Accidents In Philadelphia 

There may be various types of taxi cab accidents that can occur, just like any other vehicle accident on the roadway. Some of the most common types of taxi accidents in this area include:

• The taxi being rear-ended by another vehicle
• The taxi rear-ending another vehicle
• Parking lot accidents with other vehicles or fixed objects
• Head on collisions
• T-bone collisions
• Collisions with fixed objects on or around the roadway

Just like any other type of vehicle accident, there are a multitude of types of incidents that could occur and affect taxi passengers or others on the roadway. 

Who Is Liable In A Philadelphia Taxi Accident? 

It can be challenging to determine liability after a taxi cab accident in Philadelphia. Just like any other vehicle accident, there will need to be an extensive investigation into the incident. Sometimes, there may be more than one party held liable for an incident. 

The taxi cab driver could be held liable if their negligence led to the incident. This negligence could include the taxi driver failing to follow basic traffic laws, operating while distracted or impaired, speeding, and more.

However, we must also acknowledge that the parties other than the taxi driver could be held responsible for the incident. Other drivers on the roadway could cause the accident. 

In some circumstances, it may not be a driver at all that is responsible for the incident. For example, if a roadway defect is found to have caused the incident, then a construction company or even a municipal entity may be responsible.

We encourage you to work with a skilled Philadelphia taxi cab accident lawyer who has extensive experience handling complex vehicle accident claims. Determining liability is crucial, and an attorney can work to obtain all of the evidence needed to do so.

Damages Available In A Philadelphia Taxi Accident 

There may be various types of compensation available for taxi cab accident victims in Philadelphia. At Ciccarelli Law Offices, our goal is to help individuals recover both economic and non-economic damages for their losses.

• Economic damages. These types of damages revolve around calculable losses taxicab accident victims will likely incur as a result of the incident. By using receipts and bills gathered after the incident occurs, an attorney and the victim can adequately calculate the following losses:
  • Emergency medical expenses
  • Any ongoing hospital or doctor visits
  • Physical therapy or rehabilitation
  • The cost of prescription medications and medical devices
  • Lost wages if the victim is unable to work
  • Various household out-of-pocket expenses are rising due to the incident
• Non-economic damages. These types of damages are more immeasurable than the economic losses just mentioned. We say that these are less calculable because there are not necessarily any receipts or bills that can be added to help determine a taxi accident victim’s:
  • Physical pain and suffering damages
  • Emotional and psychological pain and suffering damages
  • Loss of enjoyment and loss of quality of life damages

How Much Compensation is Available?

There is no set amount of compensation paid to taxi cab accident victims in Philadelphia if their claim is successful. There are several factors that can influence the overall settlement or jury verdict amount, and your personal injury lawyer will help you gain an understanding of how much to expect. Some of the factors that can influence the settlement or verdict amount include the following:

• The severity of the injuries
• How long it takes to recover
• Whether or not a victim can work while recovering
• Whether or not there was any shared fault for the incident
• Insurance policy limitations

There is no way for an attorney or anyone else to know for sure how much compensation you could receive if your claim is successful. However, an experienced lawyer may be able to give you a ballpark estimation based on previous cases they have handled. One thing that is certain is that other parties involved will do what they can to limit how much compensation they pay to other parties. Insurance carriers and legal teams may try to shift the blame onto another party, or they could dispute the severity of the injuries.

We strongly suggest allowing your taxi cab accident lawyer in Philadelphia to handle every aspect of the negotiations with other parties involved. Your attorney will understand any of the tactics used to limit compensation and do their best to work around any challenges.

How Much Does a Philadelphia Taxi Cab Attorney Cost?

If you have sustained an injury as a result of a taxi cab accident, we know that paying for an attorney may seem like an incredible challenge. However, our team handles these cases on a contingency fee basis. This means a few things for a taxi cab accident victim.

First, our firm will handle all of the upfront costs related to the case. This includes the cost of investigating the incident, filing the claim, and preparing for trial. The client will pay nothing out of pocket. Additionally, clients will not pay any legal fees until after we successfully recover the compensation they are entitled to. The total legal fees will be an agreed-upon percentage of the final settlement or jury verdict, but the client will not pay anything if we do not win the case.

What to Do In the Case of a Taxicab Accident in Philadelphia

Collect as much information as possible at the time of the accident, so that law enforcement and your legal team can determine who was responsible and help you pursue damages.

• If you are seriously injured, call for medical attention immediately. Even if you don’t seem to have sustained a major injury, be sure to make a follow-up appointment with a doctor. The symptoms of many injuries caused by taxicab accidents take time to appear, and it’s best to have a medical professional’s assessment.
• Write down the driver’s name, taxi number, and any license information you can get.
• Gather the names and contact information of witnesses to the accident.
• Take pictures of the scene to document any important circumstances of the accident.
• Call the police, and ask all parties involved in the accident to stay on the scene. A thorough police report will help document what happened and can help your case should you seek compensation for injuries or damaged property.

Contact A Philadelphia Taxi Cab Attorney Today

If you or someone you love needs legal advice or representation because of a taxicab accident, contact the Philadelphia injury lawyers at Ciccarelli Law Offices.