If you’ve been involved in a taxi accident, you know how overwhelming the aftermath can be. Between paying hospital bills, being unable to work, and worrying about legal procedures, it can be difficult to know what to do next.
If you’ve been involved in a taxi accident, our qualified New Jersey taxi accident lawyers at The Law Offices of Greg Prosmukhin P.C. are here to assist you by drawing on their legal experience. Our Lawyers handle taxi accidents in New Jersey, ensuring victims receive fair compensation.
How Can a New Jersey Taxi Accident lawyer Help You?
Working with a Jersey City taxi accident lawyer ensures you won’t face the consequences of an accident alone. Here’s how we can assist:
- Explaining Liability and Legal Rights: taxi accidents may involve multiple parties, including but not limited to, the driver, the taxi company, and their insurance providers. Your attorney will give you legal advice and help you understand your rights so that you can make an informed decision about your personal injury matter.
- Building a Strong Case: attorneys gather critical evidence, including the police report, medical records, and witness statements, to build a solid case for you.
- Handling Insurance Companies: Insurance adjusters may attempt to offer you a low settlement. Our attorneys negotiate aggressively to secure the compensation you’re rightfully entitled to.
- Litigation Support: if necessary, your New Jersey personal injury lawyer will be prepared to represent you in court and defend your rights to the fullest extent.
Common Causes of Taxi Accidents
Taxi accidents often occur due to preventable occurrences. Below are some of the most common causes of taxi accidents:
- Taxi Driver Negligence: negligent driving behaviors such as speeding, using a phone while driving, or driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs often leads to accidents.
- Violation of Taxi Regulations: accidents are often the result of drivers or taxi companies failing to comply with local taxi guidelines.
- Poor Vehicle Maintenance: taxi companies are responsible for ensuring their vehicles are safe to operate. Some maintenance issues such as brake failure and worn-out tires can cause serious accidents.
- Environmental Factors: adverse weather, poor road conditions, and heavy traffic can also contribute to accidents.
Common Injuries from Taxi Accidents
Taxi accident injuries can range from mild to severe, sometimes requiring long-term care. Common injuries include:
- Whiplash and Neck Injuries: rear-end collisions often cause neck strain and chronic pain.
- Broken Bones and Fractures: high-impact crashes can result in fractures in the arms, legs, and ribs.
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI): head trauma can lead to memory loss, confusion, and cognitive dysfunction.
- Spinal Cord Injuries: spinal cord injuries can range from partial paralysis to complete paralysis, requiring extensive therapy.
- Emotional Trauma: psychological effects, such as PTSD or anxiety, are common following a taxi cab accident.
What to Do After a Taxi Accident
Taking the right steps after a taxi accident guarantees your rights are protected. Here is what to do after a taxi accident:
- Seek Medical Attention: even if you feel fine, consult a healthcare provider. Injuries such as concussions or internal bleeding may not be immediately apparent. Moreover, you may initially be in shock and unable to sense pain in the immediate wake of a car accident. This is known as delayed onset.
- Call the Police or File a Report: a police report is important for preserving certain factual information related to the accident, such as the names of witnesses. In some cases in New Jersey it may be mandatory to file a police report. According to N.J.S.A.39: 4-130, where property damages exceed $500 or the accident results in injury or death. . If the police do not respond to the scene of the accident, you should file a police report at the police station as soon as practicable following the car accident.
- Document the Scene: take photos of the accident, your injuries, and property damage. Collect the names and contact information of taxi accident witnesses and note the taxi driver’s details. Of course, these steps should be taken only to the extent that you are safe and capable of documenting the scene of the accident.
- Consult a Lawyer: an experienced New Jersey taxi accident attorney can help you avoid common pitfalls, such as dealing directly with insurance companies.
What Compensation Can I Expect After a Taxi Accident?
Taxi accident victims in Jersey City and other places in New Jersey may be entitled to various forms of compensation to help them recover from the physical, emotional, and financial toll of the incident. Taxi accident damages include:
1 . Economic Damages
Economic damages are designed to cover the financial losses directly resulting from the accident. Key components include:
- Medical Expenses: compensation for medical costs encompasses hospital stays, surgeries, prescription medications, physical therapy, and any ongoing treatment related to your injuries. Future medical expenses may also be considered.
- Property Damage: if personal belongings, such as your car or other valuables, were damaged in the motor vehicle accident, you may be entitled to reimbursement or replacement costs.
- Lost Income: if your injuries prevent you from working, you may seek compensation for lost wages during your recovery period. This may also include diminished earning capacity if your injuries result in long-term or permanent disability that limits your ability to earn at your previous level.
- Rehabilitation Costs: these cover expenses for physical therapy, occupational therapy, and other forms of rehabilitation required to restore your mobility and quality of life.
2. Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages address the intangible, more subjective losses you experience due to the accident. While they can be harder to quantify, these damages are not less significant. Non-economic damages may include:
- Pain and Suffering: compensation for the physical pain endured as a result of your injuries. Pain and suffering may also account for ongoing discomfort or chronic pain.
- Emotional Distress: Many victims experience psychological trauma, including anxiety, depression, and PTSD, following a taxi accident. Non-economic damages aim to compensate for this mental anguish.
- Loss of Enjoyment of Life: If your injuries prevent you from participating in activities or hobbies you once enjoyed, you may be entitled to damages for the diminished quality of life.
3. Punitive Damages
Punitive damages are awarded in cases involving gross negligence or intentional misconduct by the taxi driver or company. Unlike economic and non-economic damages, which aim to compensate the victim, punitive damages serve to punish the at-fault party and deter similar behavior in the future. Examples of situations where punitive damages might apply include:
- A taxi driver operating under the influence of drugs or alcohol;
- Taxi companies neglecting critical vehicle maintenance despite known safety issues;
- Repeated violations of traffic laws or taxi regulations by the driver or company.
Factors Influencing Compensation
The total compensation you may receive depends on several factors, including:
- Severity of Injuries: the extent and permanence of your injuries significantly impact the amount of compensation. Severe injuries (traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, etc.) often warrant higher settlements.
- Impact on Quality of Life: one of the key considerations is the degree to which the accident affects your day-to-day living, ability to work and overall well-being.
- Degree of Negligence: the actions of the at-fault party play a significant role. Cases involving blatant negligence or reckless behavior may result in higher taxi accident settlements.
- Availability of Insurance Coverage: the extent of the insurance coverage can limit or expand the compensation amount.
- Documentation and Evidence: strong evidence, such as medical reports, witness statements, and accident reconstructions, strengthens your case and can lead to a higher payout.
How Long Do I Have to File a Claim After a Taxi Accident in New Jersey?
In New Jersey, the statute of limitations for filing a personal injury claim is two years from the date of the accident. Failing to file within this timeframe may prevent you from recovering compensation.
Some Exceptions to the Rule:
- Government Agency: if the accident involves a government agency or entity, you must file a notice of claim within 90 days before proceeding with your personal injury claim.
- Delayed Discovery of Injuries: where the injury is latent or not obvious, the statute of limitations begins running when the injured person discovers or should have discovered the injury.
- Mental Incapacity: the statute of limitations stops when a person loses mental capacity. It restarts once a person regains their mental capacity.
- Defendant’s Absence: if the defendant leaves New Jersey to avoid liability, the time spent outside of the state does not count towards the filing deadline.
Contact a New Jersey Taxi Accident Attorney Today!
If you’ve been involved in a taxi accident, don’t navigate the aftermath alone. Our experienced New Jersey taxi accident lawyers will handle your case – from gathering evidence and negotiating with insurance companies to potentially representing you in court.
Call The Law Offices of Greg Prosmukhin P.C. today for a free legal consultation at (609) 656 -0909. Let our team fight for the justice and compensation you deserve.