On a recent afternoon in Manhattan, an out-of-control taxicab hit a bicyclist and dragged him along the pavement until the cab hopped a curb and ran into three pedestrians on the sidewalk. Two of the pedestrians were pinned under the taxi and suffered severe leg injuries, while the third was bruised by the impact. The cyclist suffered injuries to his right arm.
This horrifying incident illustrates the dangers that taxicabs can pose to people on city streets. If you’re ever hurt in an accident involving a taxi, it’s important to know how to preserve your right to pursue compensation from all available sources.
In the immediate aftermath of an accident, you should call the police. New York requires any crash resulting in more than $1,000 in damage or injury to be reported. A police report can be valuable evidence to support a damages claim. If possible, take photos of the scene and get contact information from witnesses. You should also seek medical attention, even if you think you’re only slightly hurt. Many injuries don’t show immediate symptoms. Waiting to receive medical attention may make it more difficult to connect your injury to the accident.
New York is a no-fault insurance state, which means that an automobile driver injured in an accident looks first to his or her Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage for reimbursement of medical expenses and other costs incurred. When passengers, pedestrians or bicyclists are injured, they can also file a claim against the driver’s PIP coverage up to the policy limit, which is usually $50,000.
However, PIP coverage may not be sufficient to cover all of the expenses resulting from the accident. Victims who suffer a serious injury may seek additional compensation under the driver’s liability policy. New York State requires that taxicab drivers carry a minimum of $50,000 total for third-party liability coverage. In addition, a taxi licensed within New York City must carry a minimum of $300,000 per accident in liability coverage for third-party victims.
Examples of serious injuries are fractures, disfigurements, loss of use of body parts or organs and impairments that substantially affect the ability to go about one’s daily life. In the accident described above, the two women who were run over by the taxi are likely to be able to make a claim under the driver’s liability policy.
Knowing how to navigate New York’s laws governing auto accident claims increases your ability to maximize your recovery of damages. To get the best results, you should hire an experienced attorney who can focus on the case while you focus on recovering.
If you or someone you love has been injured in a taxicab accident, contact Goldberg Sager & Associates for a full evaluation of your potential right to pursue damages. With over 50 years of combined experience, we can help you build a strong case. Call us at 718-645-6677 or contact us online to schedule a consultation in our Brooklyn office.
