When you get into a taxicab, getting into a collision is likely the last thing on your mind. If you got hurt in a crash involving a taxicab, an Odessa taxicab accident lawyer from Loncar Lyon Jenkins can help you go after monetary damages from the at-fault party. If a close relative died in a taxicab collision, we might be able to pursue additional compensation for the legal beneficiaries.
Our law firm handles car accidents and wrongful death cases on a contingency-fee basis. Our clients do not have to pay upfront legal fees to get our help. We do not get paid until we secure compensation for you. Our fees come out of the settlement proceeds or award at the successful resolution of your case.
You do not have to take on a multi-million-dollar insurance company by yourself. We can deal directly with the insurer on your behalf so that you can focus on getting better and rebuilding your life. You can call in the Strong Arm today at (877) 239-4878.
We do not charge for the initial consultation. There is no obligation.
Insurance Requirements For Motor Carriers in Texas
Taxis are “motor carriers” under Texas law, according to Texas Transportation Code § 643.001.
The statute says:
“Motor carrier” means an individual, association, corporation, or other
legal entity that controls, operates, or directs the operation of one or
more vehicles that transport persons or cargo over a road or highway
in this state.
43 TAC § 218.16(a) requires many commercial motor vehicles in Texas (like buses or hazardous waste vehicles) to carry a certain amount of liability insurance. However, that regulation does not apply to taxicabs. The rule does allow motor carrier companies to self-insure instead of buying liability coverage from an insurance company.
We understand that these insurance issues can be confusing. An Odessa taxicab accident lawyer from Loncar Lyon Jenkins can address the issues that apply to your accident claim. You can call us today at (877) 239-4878 for a no-cost case review.
877-239-4878Available 24/7 | 356 Days | se habla español
What We Have to Prove in an Odessa Taxicab Accident Case
We cannot automatically sue the taxicab company for your losses. The cab driver or their company must have done something negligent to cause your financial losses.
The American Bar Association says that we have to satisfy all of these elements of liability:
- Duty of care. The at-fault party must have owed the injured party a legal duty of care. Everyone who operates a motor vehicle, like a passenger car, truck, bus, or taxicab, has an obligation to drive safely and obey traffic laws.
- Breach of duty of care. When someone’s conduct does not measure up to the legal standard, it is negligence. Let’s say that a taxicab driver was speeding because a passenger was late for a meeting. This driving behavior violates one’s civic duty of care because it puts others at risk of suffering serious harm.
- Causation. Your lawyer must prove that the other party’s negligent conduct caused your accident. They can make this assertion by speaking to witnesses, reading the police report, and viewing traffic camera footage.
- Quantifiable damages. You must have experienced measurable financial losses. For instance, your medical bills and property damage costs may satisfy this requirement.
Once we establish all of these factors, we can pursue a claim for monetary damages against the liable party.
Liability in an Odessa Taxicab Accident
Who can be held liable for your collision-related damages will rest on the facts of your case. The cab driver, taxi company, or both could be responsible for your losses. When we evaluate the potential liability of a party, we walk through the four elements of negligence discussed above. We already examined how a cab driver could be liable.
One or more of the following could make a taxicab company responsible for your expenses:
Negligent Hiring Practices
The taxicab company has a duty to put drivers on the road who will not cause harm to others. One way to ensure that employees are safe drivers is to perform a background check on job applicants. This investigation should include a criminal and driving record check. If the taxicab company fails to perform these measures and one of their employees causes an accident, they can be held financially accountable for any resulting damages.
For instance, let’s say that your collision was caused by a driver who was drunk driving. Perhaps they had previous traffic-related convictions, but the taxicab employer did not know that because they did not perform a background check. This failure could make both the driver and their employer responsible for an injured claimant’s damages.
Negligent Training
An employer must make sure that its taxicab drivers follow safe driving practices, like coming to a full stop to drop off passengers. If the cab company does not properly train its drivers, and someone gets injured as a result, they can be held liable.
Negligent Supervision
Taxicab companies have an ongoing obligation to monitor the driving and criminal records of their drivers and take appropriate action. Let’s say that a cabbie’s driver’s license was suspended. If their employer does not check the records regularly, the company might not find out about this issue. If someone gets hurt when the cabbie drives under a suspended license, their employer could be responsible for any resulting damages.
877-239-4878Available 24/7 | 356 Days | se habla español
Getting Legal Help For Your Taxicab Accident Injury Case
At Loncar Lyon Jenkins, our passion is helping people who have suffered losses because of the careless actions of others. It is bad enough that you got hurt. You should not have to pay the financial cost of someone else’s negligence.
An Odessa taxicab accident lawyer can go after the taxicab driver, their employer, or both on your behalf. We will work tirelessly to get you the compensation you deserve.
You can call us today at (877) 239-4878 for a free consultation.
