California law defines taxi drivers as common carriers or professional drivers. It is their responsibility to be safe and responsible drivers. If taxi drivers do not do their duty and you are hurt in a Los Angeles taxi accident, you may have a good case for taxi accident compensation.
Accidents involving taxis can lead to serious, life-changing injuries. Medical expenses can be high if you suffer from a traumatic brain injury, a broken bone, missing teeth, neck injury, back injury, concussion, or other injuries.
A traffic accident can also be very traumatizing emotionally, and you may need mental health treatment as a result. The catastrophe will also cost you money since you’ll miss days of work.
Isn’t it reasonable for the taxi company to cover these expenses? The issue of convincing a cab company to accept responsibility can be challenging. There is a high probability that their insurance company will make you an inadequate offer.
A Los Angeles taxi accident lawyer from Siman Law Firm can help you build a strong case for injury compensation right away.
4 Steps to Follow After a Taxi Accident in California
The following steps will help you support your case:
Gather all the Details about the Taxi Accident
Your claim requires a lot of information. Obtain the name, address, telephone number, and license number of the taxi driver, as well as the taxi employer’s name and contact information.
Also, find out the name and contact details of the cab’s insurance company. It is important to know the names, contact information, and insurance information of any other drivers who were involved in the accident.
If any witnesses witnessed the accident, obtain their names and contact information. Those people may include pedestrians on the street, people at nearby businesses, or even other passengers with you in the taxi.
Be Sure to Inform the Police and Keep a Copy of the Police Report
The passenger of a taxi may fail to report an accident because they believe the taxi driver will do so. Have the police made an accident report and have the police been notified?
Taxi drivers may not report accidents for various reasons. A lot of them do not want their employer to find out about the incident, and they do not necessarily want to speak with the police. There is a possibility you’ll have to make the report yourself and request the police department to give you a copy.
The taxi driver can downplay the severity of the accident or tell the officer that you have not been injured, even if you have. You should speak directly to the officer. You should contact the police department later to request they include your injuries in the police report if you were taken away by an ambulance.
Captures Photos/ Videos and Gather Related Visual Evidence
You can prove your accident claim with videos and photos. If you think other people have captured images that are helpful, ask for copies of the videos and photos they took.
You should take photos of the damaged taxi, other damaged vehicles, debris from the accident, and items nearby that demonstrate how severe the accident was. If your injuries worsen over time, you should also take numerous photos of them from different angles. Sometimes it takes hours or days for bruises or swelling to appear after traffic accidents.
In addition to dashcam footage from the taxi, your lawyer may be able to help you request video footage that was shot at nearby businesses. Do not be surprised if your lawyer has to intervene to get your taxi company to give you this evidence.
Find Medical and Legal Experts to Help You
Regardless of whether you feel seriously injured after the accident, you should get medical attention right away. Internal swelling and deep damage can make accidents worse.
Make sure you keep all of your medical bills, including out-of-pocket expense receipts. Crutches, braces, wraps, ointments, and prescription medications can cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars.
Consult an attorney as soon as possible. Choose an attorney who has experience handling Los Angeles taxi accident cases. Make sure to provide your lawyer with all relevant details as well as physical evidence.
You can determine whether you are entitled to compensation by consulting with a lawyer. Under California common carrier law, injured passengers may make claims for damages because taxi drivers must exercise the utmost care and diligence to ensure their safety, must provide everything necessary, and must exercise an appropriate level of skill for that purpose.
A taxi accident can be incredibly dangerous. If you are injured in a taxi accident, Siman Law Firm in Los Angeles can help you in getting compensation for your damages.