Taxi Accidents

Wheaton and Schaumburg Attorneys Representing Auto Collision Victims

When you get into a taxi, you expect to be safe. Unfortunately, just like every other type of vehicle, taxis are commonly involved in auto accidents in Illinois and across the United States. If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident involving a taxi, you may be entitled to compensation for your harm. At Therman Law Offices, our highly skilled Wheaton and Schaumburg taxi accident lawyers are committed to the well-being and satisfaction of our clients. You can rest assured that we will do the heavy lifting in your case so that you can focus on your recovery.

Taxi Accident Statistics

While people throughout Illinois use taxis, they are especially popular in Chicago due to the busy city streets and heavy congestion. Sadly, accidents involving taxis are more common than you may think. The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) tracks taxi accidents. The 2015 IDOT Crash Facts Report reflected that there were a total of 5,271 accidents involving taxicabs that year, which resulted in three fatalities and 1,058 injuries. In addition, there were 4,210 cases of property damage arising from these accidents.

Who is Liable for a Taxi Accident?

Taxi drivers and their vehicles are licensed and regulated by the state of Illinois. Drivers and cab owners are required to carry certain levels of insurance to make sure both people and property are protected in the event of the accident. Taxis, like buses, are considered “common carriers” since they transport passengers for a fee. Under the law, common carriers owe their passengers an extremely high duty of care and should take all precautions to minimize the risk of accidents.

Responsibility for a taxi accident can be placed on a number of parties including the driver, the cab company and/or even the manufacturer of the vehicle or auto part. In some cases, more than one party may be liable. An experienced taxi accident attorney serving Wheaton and Schaumburg can help you assess who might be legally responsible.

A driver may be negligent if he or she caused an accident by engaging in unsafe conduct behind the wheel, such as driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs or pulling out in front of a moving truck. To be considered negligent in the eyes of the law, a person has to cause injury or harm by failing to use the level of care and caution that a reasonable or sensible person would have used under the same or similar circumstances. In taxi accident cases, the taxi driver or another driver on the road can be considered negligent depending on the facts of the case.

A cab company can also be held liable for the negligence of his or her employee under the legal doctrine of vicarious liability. Vicarious liability makes an employer accountable for the negligence of his or her employee when the negligence took place while the employee was acting within the course and scope of employment. For example, if a taxi driver caused an accident due to excessive speeding while transporting a passenger, the cab company could be vicariously liable.

If a defective taxi or a defective auto part was the direct cause of a taxi accident, you may be able to sue the manufacturer through a products liability claim. Products liability is an area of law that allows consumers to sue companies who put hazardous products into the hands of consumers. As such, if faulty brakes caused the taxi accident, you will potentially be able to sue the brake manufacturer, and a knowledgeable Schaumburg and Wheaton taxi accident lawyer can help you pursue your claim.

Compensation for Your Taxi Accident Injuries

Individuals who are injured in taxi accidents can suffer serious and long-term injuries. These injuries can be very expensive to treat and can require the victim to take time off work, leading to further monetary losses. Fortunately, Illinois law allows victims of auto accidents to recover a variety of compensation for their losses including, but not limited to: medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, rehabilitation costs, and compensation for any other expenses stemming from the wreck. In the event that you lost a loved one in a taxi accident, you may be able to seek wrongful death damages for the unexpected loss. Common examples of wrongful death damages are burial and funeral costs, loss of companionship, loss of earnings, and loss of consortium.

Taxi Accident Attorneys Serving Wheaton and Schaumburg

If you or someone close to you has been hurt in a taxi accident, you need legal counsel. At Therman Law Offices, our experienced Wheaton and Schaumburg injury lawyers understand how to pursue compensation in your case. With years of experience, we will try to settle your case as quickly as possible. If that does not work, we are not afraid to zealously advocate for your rights at trial. We serve clients from Wheaton, Schaumburg, Arlington Heights, Streamwood, Elgin, Bartlett, Hanover Park, Hoffman Estates, Wood Dale, Bloomingdale, Bensenville, and Roselle. Speak with a personal injury lawyer today at 312-588-1900 or contact us online.