Taxi Accident Attorneys in New Jersey

While many passengers will arrive at their destination safely and sound, that may not be the case for everyone. On top of that, other drivers can also be at risk of running into negligent taxi drivers on the road. Whenever and however someone gets hurt due to the carelessness of another driver, especially in taxis, the New Jersey taxi accident attorneys at Varcadipane & Pinnisi, PC, are here to help. Many accidents are completely avoidable, and we will stand up for you to ensure you receive justice.

People often underestimate how dangerous your average taxi ride can be. Because they hail cabs to only travel a few blocks, they assume they will be safe for those few minutes in the car. However, the New Jersey Department of Transportation released recent crash statistics that may change some opinions. They reported that there were 190,783 New Jersey car crashes in a recent year. Of those, 42,791 crashes caused injuries, and 550 caused fatalities. Those who ride as passengers in taxis are putting their lives in the hands of another driver they do not know as soon as they sit down and close the door. 

Taxi Drivers Are Often Overtired and Overworked

Driving a vehicle is considered to be operating heavy machinery, which comes with many responsibilities. Drivers trust that the others on the road are abiding by all the same rules and laws for safety, just as they are. However, that is not always the case. Many of those who drive taxis rely on that job to provide for themselves and their families. Unfortunately, they are typically paid per trip, meaning they would need to pick up as many passengers as they can throughout their shift to earn a good amount of money for the day. Rushing to pick people up and drop them off may mean cutting corners to save time on the road. Rolling at stop signs, running red lights, or speeding to get to their passenger’s destination faster could cause a New Jersey taxi accident.

Working overtime could be deadly

On the other hand, some taxi drivers are paid hourly. According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, New Jersey is considered one of the highest-paying states for taxi drivers. But at an average of $17.06 per hour or about $35,490 per year, that standard salary is hardly considered a liveable wage for the state, especially if they have children. This means they may need to drive more than the typical 8 hours per day if their employer allows, or they may need to take on a second job. Either of these can lead to the driver being drowsy behind the wheel, which makes the road unsafe for themselves, their passengers, and the other drivers sharing the road with them.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported over 633 fatal crashes due to drivers being drowsy while on the road in 2020. At the same time, the National Safety Council compares driving 20 or more hours without sleep to driving with a 0.08% blood-alcohol concentration. Even if drivers try to combat that drowsiness with a few cups of coffee, it may not help. All the caffeine does is simply delay the symptoms of fatigue without resolving the underlying issue. Passengers are putting their life into the hands of another driver when they hail a cab. And while many of them trust that they are safe to drive, the reality is that they may not be.

What Else Can Cause an NJ Cab Accident?

Drowsy driving is not the only cause of taxi accidents in New Jersey—there are a lot of factors at play, and the driver may not always be directly responsible. Sometimes another driver on the road did not obey a traffic sign, or there was a huge pothole that the driver couldn’t maneuver fast enough. Some of the other most common reasons taxi accidents occur are:

• Aggressive driving
• Traffic
• Distracted driving
• Speeding
• Driving under the influence
• Disobeying traffic laws
• Failing to notice traffic signs
• Hazardous weather
• Unmaintained road conditions
• Poor visibility

What Kind of Damage Happens in a Taxi Crash?

Two main kinds of damage can occur—and that you can sue for—in a taxi accident: damage to property and a person.

If you were hit by a taxicab in New Jersey while driving and the cab driver was found to be at fault, you could pursue legal action so they pay for the damage they caused to your car. Cars are expensive and cost even more to fix, especially after a bad accident. If the taxi accident was not your fault, you are not responsible for paying to repair your car. Contact an experienced New Jersey taxi accident lawyer to help file a lawsuit to get compensation.

You could get severely injured if you were a passenger in a taxi or were hit by a taxi while driving in your car. If you pursue legal action with the help of the taxi accident lawyers at Varcadipane & Pinnisi, PC, you could be greatly compensated for the damage the driver caused.

Some injuries caused by NJ taxi accidents are:

• Whiplash
• Spinal cord injury
• Traumatic brain injuries, or concussions
• Broken bones
• Amputations
• Disabilities

The NJ taxi accident lawyers at Varcadipane & Pinnisi, PC, have the experience necessary to fight for your right to compensation following an accident. You deserve to be compensated by the negligent party that caused the accident so you are not paying for medical bills and other expenses out of your own pocket.

What can I get compensation for in a New Jersey taxi accident?

As mentioned above, you can fight for compensation if your car gets damaged in a taxi accident. The compensation awarded to you will help pay for repairs or medical bills, but it can also help pay for more granular things. With the help of a qualified New Jersey taxi accident lawyer on your side, you could fight for compensation for the following:

• Medical bills include if you were taken to the hospital, any tests they had to do, the treatment required, and the medication you need to take.
• Lost wages – If you were severely injured in the accident, you might need to be out of work for a while. This will help cover what you would have made if you were still working. If the accident caused you to be partially or fully disabled, the payment amount could be significantly higher since you will not likely be able to resume the job you had at any point.
• Physical therapy – Unlike immediate medical treatment after the accident, physical therapy is often required and costly. If you were not at fault for the accident, the compensation you are fighting for could also cover this cost.
• Property damage – This will cover physical things, like repairing your car, replacing a phone or a laptop that was crushed in the accident, or other things like those.
• Pain and suffering – You likely hear this term a lot on television, but you can also be compensated for your emotional damage.
• Wrongful death – If the accident caused a loved one to unexpectedly pass, you could fight for justice.
• Punitive damages – If the at-fault driver was driving recklessly or was under the influence of drugs or alcohol, you may be able to sue for additional damages due to their negligence.

Do taxis have insurance?

The state of New Jersey requires taxis to have commercial motor vehicle insurance. While the minimum liability coverage does vary depending on where in New Jersey they or the company they work for are registered, they cannot fall below the state minimums. To give passengers peace of mind, it is good to know that the minimum amount required for taxi drivers in New Jersey is higher than the minimum required for regular drivers. And if the driver is transporting a passenger across state lines, their insurance goes with them.

Unfortunately, their coverage is still limited. Many taxi drivers may not opt to add additional coverage for Personal Injury Protection (PIP). If they get into an accident, there is no insurance coverage to help them pay for motor vehicle-related medical expenses. A liability lawsuit would need to be started to obtain compensation to help pay medical bills.

Contact a New Jersey Taxi Accident Lawyer

If you were injured in a taxi accident, reach out to the experienced New Jersey taxi accident lawyers at Varcadipane & Pinnisi, PC. Fighting for the compensation you deserve can be tough, and insurance companies will always encourage you to accept their lowest offer. Our attorneys will evaluate your case to see exactly how much compensation you need to get back on your feet. We will prepare for a trial but also help negotiate a settlement that we feel is fair so you can have justice. With our team’s resources and skills, we are confident that we will be able to help you. Reach out to one of our New Jersey taxi accident lawyers today, or schedule a free consultation to discuss your case.

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